House of the week

Anyone looking for an Olympic gold medal in canoe or kayak wild-river slalom would do well to cast an eye over this Kealkil, West Cork bungalow — it looks over an historic castle, river rapids and dramatic, pulse-quickening falls.

For those in search of a more sedentary life, the presence of salmon pools almost on the doorstep could as equally swing a purchase of this split level home.

New to market with John O’Neill of Celtic Properties, the 1980s homes is in an especially-scenic setting, with its rear deck and living areas positioned to gain best views of Carriganass Castle, the Ouvane river, its myriad falls, and salmon pools — as well as the Caha Mountains as a distant backdrop.

Carriganass Castle, a riverside O’Sullivan clan tower house with bawn, dates to the 1540s and is best associated with Donal Cam O’Sullivan, who led the Irish forces in the Battle of Kinsale in 1601; after the fall of Dunboy Castle, he lead a fateful and epic 1603 march from West Cork to Leitrim, passing by Carriganass (the last of four O’Sullivan fortifications) en route to Gougane Barra and beyond, to his troops’ virtual decimation two weeks later. Carriganass still stands thanks to local restoration initiatives, and hosts annual Halloween ‘tunnel of terror’ events.

That evocative history is right on the doorstep of Celtic Properties’ €300,000 property listing, on a natural rocky half acre site, and the bungalow is split level, following the contours of the naturally landscaped its grounds.

Both house and gardens are immaculately kept, notes Mr O’Neill, who says the setting, with its river frontage, is an ideal one in which to relax and recharge the batteries. In fact, a bit of hydropower on the falls could literally recharge some batteries and usefully generate electricity.

Inside, there’s a mid-level landing/hall, and off this over the house’s several/split levels, are a study with river views, a 19’ by 14’ main living room/dining room, kitchen plus utility, bathroom and three bedrooms (one en suite), as well as a further family room or bed four, with stove.

An additional outdoor ‘room’ is the sweep of decking to the rear, with castle views.

The location’s about 500 metres up the valley from Kealkil village, and Bantry’s around a 10-minute drive, with Cork and Killarney an hour or so away. Passing by this bungalow’s boundary, the Ouvane river heads at full winter swell to the sea at Bantry Bay by Snave Bridge, cascading the last section by the Bantry-Glengarriff road.

VERDICT: There’s an immense presence of place at Carriganass, but with constant sound of water, it mightn’t be ideal for those with weak and suggestible bladders.