Starter home: Ballinlough Road, Cork, €150,000

This mid-terraced city pad is grand — but, it’s back garden is altogether grander.

Sat, 10 Oct, 2015 - 01:00

Ballinlough Road, Cork

Asking price €150,000, but at €175, 0000 in offers

Sq m 80 (850 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 1

BER: N/A

It’s an unexpected oasis, as big as you’d find with many a large suburban home, with all of the charm of a country hideaway. And, all on the city end of the Ballinlough Road.

Auctioneer Conor P Flynn of Christy Ryan & Associates is getting quite the kick out of showing this old-school, family home at 2 Dryden Terrace.

Not only does he enjoy the surprise on the faces of viewers, Mr Flynn also gets to enjoy the equivalent of a trip to the country or a market garden every time he goes out the back door.

It’s an utter surprise and, if you like your outdoor spaces, a suburban uplift for the soul. And, it’s got promise in spades.

Bring a good architect, or buckets of imagination, because there’s so much potential for something extraordinary out back of this c 100 year old compact three-bed/two reception roomed house. Guide was €150,000, and it’s already at €175,000 in offers.

Back around the 1960s, the family that owned No 2 acquired the back gardens beyond small outdoor yards of two houses, one either side.

Now, the back of modest No 2 Dryden Terrace opens past a covered link to a 40’ wide glass house, with old stone back wall and lean-to roof in opaque perspex.

Then, the most secret of old-world gardens unfurls, with paths either side, going back 80’ or more on old stone flags, fully walled in, with glass house, lean-to potting shed, and flower and fruit beds. And, windfall apples are falling over the walls from properties alongside: it’s all green and good, and rather grand.

VERDICT: What a garden. Magic