Starter homes: Colla Road, Schull €390,000

Size: 165 sq m (1,765 sq ft)

IN true West Cork style, this prime piece of real estate on the Colla Road is known more by its owners, than its address. As agent Carmel O’Regan tell its, the late Frank Whyte and his wife Denise, used a blend of their Christian names for ‘Denfra’, the couple’s retirement bungalow on Schull’s Colla Road.

The couple are now gone to their just reward, Frank most recently at the wonderful age of 93 and pair’s modest home is now up for sale with Celtic Properties. But it won’t have a modest response — because this humble twobed bungalow sits on the shoreline of Schull harbour.

And what’s more, it’s on a site of just under four acres in one of the most in-demand areas in a very popular West Cork destination.

The term sought-after isn’t the yawning cliche it usually is for other areas: this patch of coast, the Colla Road is one of the best addresses in West Cork. With coastal sensitivity a hot issue — with locals as much as planners — getting a Grand Design anywhere near the water is near-impossible, says Ms O’Regan of REA Celtic Properties.

"It has an unrivalled location on the sought-after Colla Road with magnificent sea views over Long Island, Fastnet Lighthouse, Castle Island, Goat Island and the Calf Islands and is master of all it surveys with uninterrupted triple aspect views," she says. The house is on the market by private treaty with offers in excess of €390,000 sought — and that includes 3.66 acres of prime shore frontage. "This is a box-ticker in every sense," says O’Regan, "and has possibly the best location in the area."

VERDICT: The house will need an upgrade, or additions, but the location is a steadfast asset.