Traditional tranquility in Fennells Bay, Cork

This quaint old cottage has spectacular views over Cork Harbour and sits on a surprisingly large, private site.

Fennells Bay, Cork €435,000

Sq m 94 (1,000 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2

BER: F

LOTS of homes dotted around the bay and beaches of Cork harbour typically are on small sites — fields were carved up decades ago for holiday homes.

But, that’s not the case at Fennells Bay Cottage: its owners bought up surrounding land back in the 1980s, so now this detached, and quite quaint, 1,000 sq ft home is on about three-quarters of an acre, all to itself.

With sea views, and especially in sunshine and in summer, it’s going to be a dream box ticker now for new occupants, and viewings have just started with estate agent TJ Cronin of Irish and European.

He guides at €435,000, and had a recent sale in the area of a slightly more modern bungalow, at €425,000, so he expects to see a few familiar faces come to view here now also.

Mr Cronin says it’s only a few hundred metres from the bay which gives Fennells Bay Cottage its name, and he describes it as tranquil, peaceful, traditional, quaint and restful.

It has an old-world sitting room with exposed ceiling beams, an open fireplace and a dual aspect, there’s a sun room added on by the current owners, making the most of the sea views south and east. It also has a kitchen, dining room, and utility, plus store.

The ‘cottage’ has one ground floor bedroom, with en suite, and two more overhead, and this upper level has jaunty dormers inset into the re-done and reslated roof.

Location is a few miles from Crosshaven, and Carrigaline, and Cork city can be reached in about half an hour.

VERDICT: Fennells Bay only has occasional house sales, and this upgraded cottage on a good site (further development scope?) will most likely be bought for full-time use.