Starter home: Harrington’s Square, Cork €159,000

Trish Dromey reports on neat three bed city property in a small enclave of listed protected structures within a 20 minute walk of Cork city centre.

Size: 60 sq m (646 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 1

BER: Exempt

WHEN a brochure shows a house with pretty pink roses growing in the front garden, it raises expectations that the property is going to be equally well tended.

Viewers who visit 4 Harrington Square near Dillon’s Cross will find that the interior of the three bed cottage lives up to the expectations raised by the roses in the photograph.

The 646 sq ft terraced cottage has been well cared for by the woman who has owned it for the last 10 years.

“She put in double glazed windows, gas heating and redecorated with some nice artistic touches,’’ says Alan Browne of Murray Browne auctioneers who secured a bid of the asking price of €159,000 within a week of putting it on the market.

Accommodation includes a timber floored sitting room with an electric fire as well as a kitchen with white units, plus a ground floor bathroom.

Upstairs there are three bedrooms with timber flooring — the largest is at the front and has city views.

With a small planted garden enclosed by railing at the front, the cottage has a yard at the rear with a covered over section and a chiminea heater.

Noting that it’s cute and cosy and within a 20 minute walk from the city centre, Mr Browne is expecting a fairly quick sale.

Located off Ballyhooly Road, Harrington Square is an enclave of 15 houses which are all listed as protected structures.

It is mentioned in the writings of author Frank O’Connor who spent his childhood there.

VERDICT: Perfect for those who like scent of roses.