House of the week: Aghada, Cork Harbour €395,000

Size: Sq m 233 (2,500 sq ft)

There’s a curious note to the 1960/’70s architectural classic called Hadwell Heights in Cork’s Aghada — along with the fact it is being sold by a Count John McCormack, a grandson of the world-famous Irish tenor, and who inherited his Papal title. Businessman John McCormack relocated to Cork from Dublin over a decade ago, and he and his wife Sylvia fell for the charms of this harbour home in Aghada.

In a pattern which later Irish architects have found themselves repeating in the past decade of slump, the Irish designer of this house first got his international experience while working in Canada — and brought back then-innovative design ideas.

Plans of this distinctive, large one-off home in Cork harbour’s eastern fringes were drafted in 1967, by architect Gerald McCarthy, of the former O’Flynn & Green Architects, and it was built in the early 1970s for an East Cork business family.

Its original owners, who’d commissioned the design, sold up in 2003, and they built again alongside, where they still live. The next owners John and Sylvia McCormack equally cherished the single storey dwelling, putting their own stamp on it, particularly in terms of assured decor with visual flair, whilst the integrity of the original design appears well respected.

It’s now back for sale once more with locally-living William Wallace of Wallis Auctioneers in Midleton, who also acted in the sale in 2003, and he now guides the 2,500 sq ft single storey four/five bed at €395,000.

Hadwell Heights has unobstructed, west-facing views over Cork harbour to include Great Island, Cobh and East Ferry, at under-rated Aghada, and it’s in excellent condition on a half acre site.

It is low slung, with a very large expanse of very flat roof, resting on deep roof joists which can be seen from outside under the roof structure, and cutting through the interior as well. The design facilitates the use of clerestory windows, ie above head height, and just under the roof at the back where the house’s distinguishing feature is a very long yellow brick wall, not at all broken up by normal height windows along the approach drive.

Thus, this one-off keeps its surprises and views, and large picture windows, for the harbour views aspect.

Inside, there’s an airy hall, next up is a great 22’ by 16’ living room with a rhythmic pattern set up by the deep roof joists, and it has large picture windows, plus glazed door to the garden, for pitch-perfect expansive water views past the overhanging eaves. The room’s got a white marble fireplace which is set off quirkily by an off-set painting, and painted stripes on the chimney breast. Other quirky art touches include life-sized portraits on side by side hall doors: the one on the left is Lily McCormack (nee Foley), wife of the tenor Count who died in 1945 (the couple had two children, Cyril and Gwen.)

It was commissioned by John and Sylvia back when they co-owned Captain America’s restaurant in Dublin’s Grafton Street with founder Mark Kavanagh, and was painted by an artist working at the time in the restaurant. Still enterprising, and having been a coffee wholesaler in recent years after his ‘retirement’ move to Cork, Hadwell Heights’ John McCormack now runs a stall called Treat Petit at Mahon’s Farmers’ Market — and enjoys harbour life.

The family are trading down, and leave Hadwell Heights in fine fettle for new owners, having drylined and insulated internally, brightening it up by painting black ceiling beams white, and putting in some feature lighting. One of its four/five bedrooms is en suite, there’s a practical book-lined study, and (including the 30’ long galley hall with high up windows) loads to engage the eye. Plus views.

VERDICT: Perfectly pitched.