Rachra offers a slice of country life

THE two acres that the family home Rachra stands on was, at one stage, part of a productive fruit farm, but in latter years, grazing horses have replaced the raspberry canes here on Raffeen Hill.

Built in the mid 1980s overlooking rolling fields as they run down towards Cork harbour, this good-sized dormer home near Monkstown has all of its best rooms up front for the light and the views.

Internally it has moved with the times too, and has been topped off with a recently added conservatory.

The owners are downsizing, and moving inland and up-country, and newly-appointed selling agent is Ann O’Mahony of Sherry FitzGerald. She’s lopped almost €100,000 off a prior asking price, and now seeks offers of €580,000 for the comfortable, harbour-aspected home about four miles from Douglas.

Location is also close to Carrigaline and to Monkstown, and for those into horses or keeping other animals, the fact there’s secondary rear access to the back field and shed is a bonus.

The house itself is a good-sized dormer, about 2,500 sq ft in all if you include the attached garage, which has an en suite bedroom with great views from its lofty gable window. The upper level has three bedrooms in all, plus study and shower room.

Downstairs, Rachra has an interlinked kitchen/living room and conservatory, plus separate lounge, and the decent floor plan also includes two bedrooms, utility, bathroom, garage with boiler room and WC. The kitchen has a feature brick arch around a range cooker, and the 14’ by 10’ conservatory has a pine-clad ceiling, Velux window, plus French doors to a private patio.

VERDICT: Close to the city, the harbour and to services with a rural feel, as well as being close to a well-known riding establishment, Rachra’s perfect for those who want a country life without too much of a commute.