Trading up: Kilcoe, Ballydehob €525,000

Size: Sq m 174 (1,850 sq ft)

OLD building materials salvaged from a nearby church were used in the building of this special Kilcoe, Roaringwater Bay home — and they’ve given it a new life and atmospheric feel above and beyond other builds of the early 2000s vintage.

The architect-designed contemporary take on the West Cork stone house vernacular makes for a quite different 1,850 sq ft home, where it’s as much about the water views as it is about the thoughtful build. The main aspect is south and west toward the sea and inlet, with a lofty 15’ by 14’ conservatory to the front, with extensive roof glazing, and further glazing links it at the upper level back into the main house’s core also. Selling agent Ray O’Neill in Clonakilty (and just this spring reopening his second, SherryFitzGerald Skibbereen office s the market improves) guides at €525,000 and describes it as an exceptional property.