Haven Cottage is holiday bolt-hole with great views of Ballyshane beach

Tommy Barker views a charming cottage by Ballyshane beach, a haven by name and nature, and could be even more with its 1.25-acre site.

Ballyshane, Cloyne €155,000

Sq m 46 (500 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 1

BER: G

Best Feature: Beside the sea

This East Cork cottage, new to market at a guide of €155,000, easily lives up to its name: it’s called Haven Cottage, and while it’s that, and more (at just 500 sq ft, though), it could be even more ....thanks to a 1.25 acre site.

Estate agent Adrianna Hegarty in Midleton says planning near Ballyshane and Ballybrannigan beaches is rare and people who have homes here tend to hold onto them.

The location is super-quiet, reached either south of Cloyne, or along the narrow roads four miles east from Whitegate, and this hideaway is 100 yards or so from the end of the road, by the main Ballyshane beach, popular for quick dips, and fishing trips.

Built in 1921, Haven Cottage got a full revamp in 1997, was made comfortable but not extended really at the time. So, going larger now might be a priority for new owners.

Very well-kept, and much appreciated it’s got traditional features, such as a half door (albeit in pvc, as is the double glazing), and there’s a wood-burning stove in the high ceilinged/wood-panelled living room, with terracotta tiled floor.

There’s also a kitchen/dining room, two bedrooms and a shower/WC, so right now is more effectively a holiday bolt-hole with great sea views, than a full-time residence. Other options might be to buy now, slowly extend, and eventually retire down for a country lifestyle by the sea.

VERDICT: Cute as they come, the site’s of a size that begs for more use to be made of it.