Trading up: Crossbarry, Cork €690,000

Size: 367 sq m (3,950 sq ft)

Looking for a large family home? Try Haven Lodge, a six-bed home of almost 4,000 sq ft, on a decent 1.8 acre landscaped site west of Cork city. Between Halfway and Crossbarry, the well-built dormer home is private, up on a south-facing ridge, with detached (but linked) four-car garage which has even further accommodation potential.

It’s all for sale with agent Johnny O’Flynn of Sherry FitzGerald who notes that it’s just a ten-minute drive from Cork’s western suburbs and airport, as well as being within easy striking distance of Kinsale and Bandon, plus it’s easily reached from major employers like Schering Plough in Brinny, or Eli Lilly in Dunderrow.

Putting down those locational markers indicates it’s most likely pitched at business/professionals, and that feeling is borne out by the asking price of €690,000. Mr O’Flynn describes it as a very well-kept home, and there’s certainly no shortage of space: the upper level has two large bedrooms, one en suite, the other next to a big bathroom with Jacuzzi bath. Downstairs, one side of the property is given over to four en suite bedrooms, two each left and right of a central corridor which leads down to the garage link. There’s a main 23’ by 13’ living room to the front, next to the dining room, and behind is a very large (28’ by 14’) kitchen/dining room with ash units, opening to a pagoda-like octagonal conservatory with tiled floor.

VERDICT: Spacious, on landscaped accessible grounds.