House of the week

THE word ‘breathtaking’ can be taken in several ways when talking of coastal sites: they can be stunning to look at, and even more so to look out from, but it can also mean so exposed and so windy that it’s hard to catch a breath.

This hill-top set Harbour View home, with a 270 degree coastal panorama above Kilbrittain and Courtmacsherry in West Cork, tends distinctly towards the former meaning. But, even if gales do swirl around, it’s fairly immune to the chill of winds, thanks to a hard-won A2 energy rating, and a strong air-tightness factor.

Just built, and being sold with final personal finish touches needed, this is a true one-off, with glimpses to the Old Head of Kinsale to the south east, over Courtmac and harbour to the south, beyond the Seven Heads.and round back inland towards the hills by Dunmanway — you have to swivel to take it all in. On a bright day, it’s enthralling, and in winter, it will be hardly less so, with dramatic skies and oceans to track.