This lodge style home has a special setting on marine-rich Lough Hyne

ONE of the most studied — and special — marine environments is on the doorstep of this West Cork home called Lough Hyne, Cottage on 2.5 acres. 

Lough Hyne, West Cork €750,000

Sq m 140 (1,500 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 1

BER: F

Best Feature: most special setting

And, the renown plus sheer beauty and rarity of its setting underpins the strong price hopes of this autumn market offer, guided at €750,000; at that upper echelon level it is most likely to find favour and funds from an overseas buyer.

This 1,500 sq ft, lodge-style three-bed/three reception rooms older-era home is tucked in a spot by this most-special marine lake close to Skibbereen.

The lough, which is linked the Atlantic by a ribbon of water and rapids that funnel to and fro in two diametric directions, on ebbing and flowing tides, topping up Lough Hyne with richly oxygenated water twice every day like an aquatic version of those classic old sand-filled egg-timers.

Lough Hyne’s a beacon for Ireland’s burgeoning eco-tourism, and the wiles of the Wild Atlantic Way, with whale-watching and visits to its outer Atlantic shoreline.

Lough Hyne has been studied by specialists for 150 years, from Victorian reverends to UCC professors, and from far beyond too, with more than 70 species of fish alone, along with castle ruins, and human heritage.

Thanks to its extra few degrees of water temperature it still yields secrets and surprises, is species rich and scattered in scallops, with seaweeds savoured by many who undertake night-time phosphorescence kayak trips here with Jim and Maria Kennedy of Atlantic Sea Kayaking.

Their eco-aware business is going into its second generation with sons and champion rowers Naoise and Adam on board as occasional co-paddlers.

At this stage, they’ve had hundreds (if not thousands) of fledgling paddlers out on Lough Hyne’s gently-warmed, and saltily stirred waters to experience the ocean bioluminescence equivalent of the Northern Lights, at the dip and drip of a paddle.

Might one of those so moved by such night-time quicksilver sights come now to view Lough Hyne Cottage, in the lure of daylight, as visitors are moved to rhapsodies by 50-metre deep Lough Hyne’ s fauna, flora, fish and feathered friends?

Selling agent for the German owners of this slice of natural paradise is Maeve McCarthy of Charles P McCarthy & Co in nearby Skibbereen, and she says the 2.5 acres and house could be brought to yet a higher level, and describes the grounds as a micro-climate.

Preliminary interest and inquiries is coming from overseas.

VERDICT: Dig or dive deep for funds.