Ballyellerry ‘Cottage’ in Lahinch is a winner

Tommy Barker discovers a Lahinch golf gem where the scenery and setting’s comes up.... near Trump’s.

Some real high-fliers touch down around Lahinch and Liscannor in scenic Co Clare, and many of them have links to companies like GPA: In fact, there’s so much wealth drifts to this section of the Wild Atlantic Way that niche stretches have been dubbed ‘Millionaires’ Row’.

That term definitely fits the bill for a spot like Ballyellery, where Ballyellerry Cottage has been put up for sale... even though it’s now anything but a cottage.

Owned by an overseas family, the significantly extended and upgraded home with waterfrontage to the Inagh river overlooks the Lahinch golf course, an acclaimed links course with a 120-year history and renown.

It’s for sale with a €675,000 asking price via estate agent Dominic Daly in Cork.

He’s selling in two lots, the main house and grounds, and there’s the option of a further acre site, with three stables, for an additional €75,000.

This month he’s had some viewings from yet other possible overseas purchasers at waterfront Ballyellery Cottage, which has now been more than doubled in size from the original ‘cottage’ thanks to a split-level new wing and link section to measure over 2,000 sq ft.

It now comes with four bedrooms, four upgraded bathrooms, and two large living areas one in each wing, while finishes include ash and marble floors with underfloor heating and “the owners have enhanced it to the highest standards,” notes Mr Daly.

But, good and all as it is, it’s the setting which is the key. The grounds, with lawns and low stone walls and garden features stretch down to the tidal Inagh river estuary by the three-arch, 19th centuryBallyellery Bridge on the Liscannor Road, just a mile and a bit from Lahinch.

Liscannor’s almost as close and local amenities include the mile-long beach, surfing, quieter coves, and the 1892-founded links course in the dunes, overlooked by the castle ruin.

The course has been favoured since the 1890s as a ‘must-play’ Atlantic challenge, with golfers of that era travelling by train from Euston Station London, leaving at 6pm and in Lahinch for lunch the next day via the now-departed West Clare railway.

Nowadays, as many fly in from all corners of the world via Shannon to play the west coast’s courses... including Donald Trump’s Doonbeg.

VERDICT: Setting is to the fore.

Lahinch, Co Clare

€675,000

224 sq m (2,500 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 4

Best Feature: Setting