For a life less ordinary

Bracken Lodge, a detached, four-bed, on five acres is a real goer, reports Rose Martin

Originally pitched at €750,000 in 2011 (the trough of the property slump) this detached house on five acres, while a rarity, failed to catch fire in a depressed market.

But that was then and this is now — plus, the newly re-launched Bracken Lodge now carries an AMV of €590,000.

And while that may seem like a lot of money in a cash-strapped era, the quality of the property does justify today’s price tag. After all, there’s land, a fine house and a great location minutes from Cork city.

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Located in the Shournagh Valley, and off the Carrigrohane Road at Leemount Cross, it’s 10 minutes to the western suburbs, but light years from suburbia.

A detached, four bed home, Bracken Lodge sits in a private, wooden enclave of five acres with absolute privacy and in a location that’s closely patrolled in planning terms, meaning buying in here is the only way to live here.

The house follows the contours of its woodland site in a curved, split level design that allows all the living rooms at upper level, (along with two bedrooms) at ground level at the house’s western side.

Two more bedrooms, with guest suite are on the lower, wooded side of the estate. According to its selling agent, Malcolm Tyrrell of Cohalan Downing, Bracken Lodge is a rare find:

“I’d describe it simply as a house on five acres that’s 10 minutes from the city — and I don’t have any other property like this — and I don’t know of any other property like it.

“It’s in a mature, woodland setting with great privacy and lots of space — this is a good as it gets —and it doesn’t get any better,” he says

The house itself, (and you really have to see it once at least to appreciate the design), is curved to the south, making for a bright, warm house with central terrace and grounds that are stunning.

The backdrop of woodland creates total privacy and the house is set at the end of a long driveway from a minor road. Yet, the location is minutes from the city and CUH, CIT and UCC.

The flexible layout of the house means it’s ideal for a two-generation family, or even, for those with teenagers, as the lower bedrooms come with separate access. The upper level, meanwhile includes good living space, and in particular a great main living room with tremendous views. Ceiling heights are high too and there’s an attached garage that could be turned into an extra-large kitchen/diner.

Either way, this is a rare property purchase, and with the land and the location, it’s only market conditions that allows it to sit unsold.

VERDICT: Book a viewing now for a house that’s utterly out of the ordinary.