House of the week

THERE aren’t very many houses in developments as large, as good, and on as good grounds, as Fernwood — this Cois Chuain home is outstanding in its field.

Fernwood, also known as No 11, is right at the very top of this commanding hillside above Glounthaune, built by Lanes Builders when they were at the top of their own game: the up-market development is a sort of master-class in low density development.

It’s one of the very largest houses in this early 2000s scheme, and the owners have been here from Day One, and pretty much got first choice of sites. They opted for this 0.6 acre plot, and landscaped just about every inch of it to a design and planting list by the highly-regarded Brian Cross. It’s getting better year on year, with sandstone patios, elevated decking for sun-taking and viewings, and the back of the large site is fringed by very old woodland.