A pair of beautifully rendered stone buildings offer buyers flexibility and opportunity in Waterford

Near the coastal village of Bunmahon in Waterford, two properties are being sold together — one a distinctive modern stone-faced house with large arched front windows, the other a prettily renovated stone schoolhouse.

Bunmahon, Waterford €375,000

Size: 149 sq m & 113 sq m (1,600 sq ft & 1,200 sq ft)

Bedrooms: Three and three

Bathrooms: Three and one

BER: C3 (main house)

Sharing a landscaped site of three-quarters of an acre, as well as a guide price of €375,000, they are being sold as one lot by Radley Auctioneers, Dungarvan.

The modern house has three bedrooms, 1,600 sq ft of living space and was built in the 1990s. When the current owner bought this as their home, the old schoolhouse was just a stone shell with a roof.

Following a comprehensive renovation job 10 years ago, this has been turned into an attractive three-bed 1,200 sq ft residence, which has been let out to holidaymakers during the tourist season.

Auctioneer Denise Radley says both properties are tastefully decorated and unique and offer a number of options for a buyer who could continue to rent out the schoolhouse, or use it for family and guests.

Behind one of the distinctive arched windows in the main house is a large sitting room with double-height vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and a large stone fireplace with a stove.

Above the sitting room, under the exposed beams and timber paneled ceiling is a large galleried timber floored bedroom with an en suite and a walk in wardrobe.

Behind the second arched window is a kitchen-dining room with cream units and fitted appliances.

The property has two single-storey sections — one at the side, housing a sunroom and another at the back, with an en suite master bedroom.

Other accommodation includes a utility room, a shower room, and a third bedroom.

Across a courtyard at the side is the old schoolhouse where full height, vaulted ceilings and galleried bedrooms are also a feature.

It has a huge living room with exposed stonewalls, and ceiling beams with a kitchen dining room with fitted units at one end. Under the ceiling at either end are two galleried bedrooms each with its own staircase.

The owners decided to do this in order to make the best use of both the light and the space without altering the property. They also put in a shower room and a third bedroom.

The gardens around the properties are landscaped with graveled areas, lawns and mature trees as well as an orchard with pear, apple and plum trees. Entrance is via a long, tree-lined entrance which crosses a stone bridge.

Located at Ballylaneen, the properties around 5.5km from Bunmahon

VERDICT: Two very distinctive properties, with impressive interiors in an idyllic setting.