Bliss in Ballyshoneen

This property has an immediate feeling of home and ticks all the right boxes, writes Rose Martin

THERE are some people who think life is really too short to stuff a mushroom. And that holds true for property as much as cookery. Some folk like to live in their houses, not live for their houses.

And it’s an energy the visitor picks up on immediately — a relaxed air combined with an insouciance to the finer points of decoration.

But there’s an immediate feeling of home and that, in property terms, is gold. If a buyer enters a house and feels relaxed and good, then the sale is half way there.

Which is why Norma Healy had this Ballyshoneen, Waterfall house on the market a wet week and it was under offer immediately. The 450,000 bid is a little short of the €550,000 asking, but the Sherry FitzGerald agent expects that to rise as viewings increase.

And why wouldn’t it? This is an unaffected country house that ticks a number of boxes: it’s in a great area, (a rather posh enclave on the outskirts of Ballincollig, but just off the bypass route); it has buckets of family space; a garage that can double as a barn or business location; an acre of ground with more available if needed and best of all, absolute privacy and a rural setting.

And the interior is great too: there are no fancy finishes, mind, just a well designed, workable family home. And it has that country theme that despite the rise of cool minimalism, house hunters really love.

Pine and oak won’t show scuffs the same way that white will and the kitchen incorporates rustic brick too in a very defensive design — cleverly, there’s even a gate at one side of the breakfast bar to keep the smallies out. And better yet, (ooh, this is clever), a walled in area adjacent to the barn which forms a square, outdoor playpen that’s big enough for an estate of Wendy houses and a Mondello amount of toy cars. And it’s viewed from the kitchen and dining room windows too for safety.

The house is facing the right way, sun all the way round the back and to the side and has a long, gated driveway from the road.

A big turning area leads through to the garage and concrete yard at the left, (plenty of room for stables here too) and the facade is simple, but in stone.

Inside, there’s a formal, or more private living room on the eastern side, but to the west is the main living room, which runs through double doors to the main kitchen/dining space and then out to a lovely, bright sun room that projects south-west into the yard.

Behind the kitchen is a good utility and then behind it again is a dedicated office space with separate access and guest bathroom.

The overhead space includes five, good bedrooms, one of which is en suite, but two could be considered master suites, and a very big, main bathroom.

Verdict: This house is ready to go, simply finished but very attractive, and it will appeal to a buyer looking for a full-time, forever, family home.