House of the week

NORTH Cork’s medieval town of Mitchelstown was cleared and laid out afresh between the 1770s and the 1820s, when Kings Square arose, accordingly, in some splendour.

More than two centuries later, the classic Georgian square with its large residences retains its dignity and gravitas.

A large portion of the square is taken up by Kingston College (the ‘college’ name is misleading, it had no education links, and King was the family name of the Earls of Kingston). Houses were built here for elderly members of the Church of Ireland community, and much building renewal went on here in the early 2000s.

Credit for the square’s existence, created to frame an entrance to the original 1,250 acre Mitchelstown Demesne, is given to designer John Webb, who had been an assistant to the great English landscaper, Capability Brown. In its heyday, the demense included three artificial fishponds, farm buildings, walled gardens, stables, an ice house, bridges, woodlands and avenues all enclosed by a six mile long, 10’ high limestone wall.

One of the larger of the private houses on King Square is the double-fronted, five-bay and symmetrical No 9, dating to 1798 and newly up for sale in 2011, and in very good overall condition for its venerable age.

It is a classic home and townhouse, with quality, albeit not over-fine, formal rooms, lots of period detailing, and up to seven bedrooms thanks to its lofty attic accommodation.

Selling agent for No 9 is Michael O’Donovan of Sherry FitzGerald O’Donovan, who says the King Square houses are always prized, and guides no 9 at a modest-seeming €410,000.

“They always create a bit of interest when one becomes available,” he observes.

It’s very much a large town-house, street-aspected over the well-kept square, lawns and avenue of lime trees in front, while behind is a useful, long, well-kept and walled-in garden, facing south with glasshouse and sheds, plus rear access.

Windows in front were replaced in recent years by PVC double glazing, in a faux Georgian look, there’s central heating and an alarm, but interventions haven’t spoiled its feel.

According to Mr O’Donovan, “no 9 has many of its original features, such as plaster cornicing, original wide floorboards, internal panelled doors and internal fanlit hall arch, as well as shutters and picture rails in all ground and first-floor rooms. Its front door is also thought to be original”.

Accommodation includes two reception rooms to the front, kitchen with oak units, Aga and copper canopy overhead, pantry, sun room with garden access, main bathroom, separate shower room and seven bedrooms, three at attic level with Velux windows, and four bedrooms have fireplaces.

The south-facing back garden is beguiling, sheltered and home to a large apple tree, along with flower beds, fruit and vegetable garden, gravelled walkways and there’s a big storage shed.

VERDICT: The real deal, on a genuine Georgian square of note.

Williamstown, Waterford €389,950

Sq m: 185 (2,000 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 4

BER rating: Pending

Broadband: Yes

A SUBSTANTIAL family home with a very good address is on offer at 16, The Anchorage, Williamstown in Waterford.

New to the market with a guide of €389,950, it’s a four-bed house with approximately 2,000 sq ft of living accommodation. Selling agents Purcell Properties say it’s 15 years old and has been decorated and maintained to a very high standard.

The two-storey property includes a timber-floored living room, a sitting room and a kitchen dining room with tiled flooring and fitted units. There’s also a separate dining room, a lounge with a raised fireplace and a utility room. On the upper level there’s a Jacuzzi bath as well as four timber-floored bedrooms including two with en-suite bathrooms.

Part of an estate of large detached houses, it has a good sized garden. To the front there’s a large tarmac parking area, to the side there’s a large area of raised timber decking and the property also has a large patio. In the landscaped gardens at the rear there’s also an outhouse and a timber archway. Within easy reach of the outer ring road and Waterford hospital it’s within a 10-minute drive from the city centre.

VERDICT: This could tick a lot of boxes for a buyer looking for extra space for a family especially since it’s close to primary schools, shops and amenities.

Sunday’s Well, Cork €200,000

Sq m: 89 (960 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 2

BER rating: Pending

Broadband: Yes

FIRST they were sold in the mid €500,000, around peak in 2006, then is 2008 they hit €450,000 and now, these apartments at Lisín, Convent Avenue, Sunday’s Well are pitched at €200,000.

Or rather, this unit, no 2 Lisín is, with agent Niall Cahalane. And while there are rental properties here, Cahalane says they are high end, with good demand from nearby hospitals and so this apartment could also suit someone who needs to park some cash and rent the unit out.

The accommodation includes an en suite master bedroom, a second double room, main bathroom and open plan living/ dining/ kitchen area. It is a ground floor unit and there are management fees.

VERDICT: Great for young, urban professionals who want quality accommodation but without maintenance or the blandness of regular apartment living.