Trading up: Durrus, West Cork €285,000

A lot of original character has been kept with this old-world, yet reworked Durrus home in scenic West Cork. 

Size: 85 sq m (915 sq ft) 

Bathrooms: 2 

Bedrooms: 3 

BER: E2

Auctioneer Michéal Duggan of Sherry FitzGerald O’Neil in Skibbereen has several traditional farmhouse homes on his books, of which Drishane Farmhouse on the Mizen Peninsula and Wild Atlantic Way is one of the prettier inside, and outside.

It’s not huge, at a little over 900 sq ft and its main 27’ long by 11’ wide living area takes up most of the ground floor, with a feature, stone open and raised fireplace in the gable end.

There’s a ground floor bedroom, bathroom, and added on sun-room with Veluxes above and slate floor below, and overhead is a characterful main bedroom with exposed beams, bathroom and second/third lower bedroom in the side annex.

All stone on its exterior, with double glazed windows and oil central heating, it’s near the Cashelfean holiday home scheme, facing Ahakista across Dunmanus Bay.

Handily,it has water access at nearby Carrigphilip Cove, with the best views from the grounds and patio, as well as from two feature, angular gable end windows in the main, upstairs bedroom.

Apart from the tranquillity and setting, it has local services at Durrusand both Bantry and Skibbereen are less than a 30 minute drive.

VERDICT: The real west Cork farmhouse deal, gently tweaked for modern comforts. And, it even has wi-fi.