Trading up: CASTLETOWNSHEND €400,000

THERE are almost two different houses here at this village streetside family home in west Cork’s Castletownshend, near Skibbereen and a short roll down the hill to the sea, harbour and pier.

A young couple engaged the services of a top architect to oversee the conservation of the front portion of this family home.

Having restored the front to best conservation practice, they then extended behind in a contrasting contemporary wing, rounding off the package with great private rear gardens. The sublime finished package is now re-priced at €400,000 via agent Charles P McCarthy, and that’s an even 50% slice off the €800k guide it carried 18 months ago.

It’s had the best of work and goods installed since its 2005 renewal, including new sash windows in front and wall of glass doors behind in the zinc-roofed wing extension, painted kitchen with Belfast sink, carbon fibre handles, metro-style tiling, and a Rayburn.

Reception rooms have solid fuel Stovax stoves, and floors are Valentia slate, there’s central heating, solar panels for water heating and a heat recovery/ventilation system.

VERDICT: Great taste has been applied to this home, which has been massively reduced in price aspiration.