Lookout with potential

A home with myriad glorious views, this Kinsale home is crying out for some love, writes Tommy Barker

You don’t have to look too hard to see the full potential of the high-up, Kinsale harbour home Laragh — you just need to tear yourself away from those harbour views.

The split-level, 185 sq m four-bed home on a south-facing site of a third of an acre is up on Compass Hill, one of the tourist town’s top addresses and virtual Grand Circle viewing stands.

Views include the inner and outer harbour, the marinas and fishing piers, Ardbrack (a rival to Compass Hill in terms of property desirability) James Fort and Castlepark, right out to Charles Fort and Kinsale’s harbour mouth. You’ll never be stuck for something to look at.

Laragh is an executor sale, with agent David Busteed of Sherry FitzGerald Brennan Busteed in Bandon fairly confidently seeking €675,000, though he admits the house will need updating.

Built about four decades ago, and ‘contemporary’ in its day, it is a bit old-fashioned in terms of decor, but the basic conception and package on a decent, sloping site was well-thought out.

The basic shape is long, low, and stepped down, with attached double garage, and is pitch-perfect for the aspect and vista; you could nearly sense an architect, designer or decorator having notions of “what could be done now to bring it bang up to date”. It might not even need huge wads of additional cash.

It has large picture windows for the views, sun room towards the eastern/town end, and the four bedrooms (one en suite) are downstairs, with a utility room and shower room. Upper level rooms — practically all with views — include kitchen, breakfast room, dining room, sun room with patio/balcony access, and a 19’ by 11’ living room, and guest WC.

VERDICT: Laragh’s got a lot going for it, ready for a new owner’s personal stamp.