18th-century Cork on the double

Two of Cork city centre’s oldest, and deservedly cherished, buildings come for sale this week, side by side, on Sheares Street, with shades of London’s classic Spitalfields markets buildings to their credit.

Nos 2 and 3 Fenns Quay are part of a conserved terrace of five 18th-century brick-fronted homes, close to the City Court House off Washington Street, with mixed uses, commercial at the ground floor, residential overhead and to the back, pretty much as they would have been three centuries ago.

Their interiors are remarkably intact, with extensive original wood panelling, brick, stone and slate, and every tread on the old stairs is like a step back in time.