A capitol idea in Cork: Supersized home with stunning views at the 'White House'

Oh say can you see a supersized home with stunning views? Tommy Barker salutes a classier ‘White House’.

THERE was a time, not so long ago, that a name like The White House conveyed a bit of dignity, awe, and aroused a particular curiosity. Not so any more, at least in the US and Washington, where the iconic White House’s character and name has been besmirched, its aura darkened thanks to the disruptive antics of Mr DJ Trump.

So it’s now down to other houses which have adopted the name, to give their homes and inhabitants a bit of gravitas.

Case in point might be one of Co Cork’s several substantial family homes carrying the White House moniker, set as it is out by the sea and a sandy beach, at Myrtleville: it’s a bit of a whopper, at least by Irish standards, up at over 3,900 sq ft, over three levels, on grounds of a half an acre within a two minute walk of the beach, and has six bedrooms, plus sea views.

Steadily upgraded in its current ownership, it’s now for sale with selling agents Trish Stokes and Cian O’Donoghue of Lisney, Cork, who say it’s a superb family home, just a short stroll from the sands at Myrtleville, and of Bunnyconnellan bar and restaurant. “It has all the benefits of seaside living whilst being within a short commute of Cork city and airport, just five minutes by car from Crosshaven village, marina and RCYC sailing club”, they say, with the RCYC undergoing a redesign under architect Patrick Creedon of Magee Creedon, for the club’s 300th anniversary in 2020.

The White House has to be one of the largest private homes around Myrtleville, at least of a certain vintage, as apart from a few whoppers (like Pine Lodge) the majority were built back in the day as modest second homes, on small sites.

There’s been a bit of a change of scale since the late 1990s, though, with Myrtleville, Fountainstown, and Crosshaven now seen as viable, commutable full-time family friendly locations with enviable lifestyle attractions, based in the main on proximity to beaches and water sports.

That proximity is where The White House scores strongly too: it’s only about 200 metres from the slope down to Myrtleville’s very popular beach (it heaves in summer, but in the quieter times it can be your very own), and it’s assured privacy thanks to mature boundaries, front gates, and a half acre of gardens.

Likely to date in the main to the early-mid 1900s and extended along the way, and upgraded, it has the best of its rooms on the two upper levels, above a lower ground gym/playroom, office, store and boiler room.

It has six first-floor bedrooms, two with en suites, and the master has a deep bay window with views. The main family bathroom has a feature glass block wall and there’s also access from the landing to a sea viewing terrace with curved railings.

The mid level of this well-kept, spacious (there’s even potential to extend into the attic) and asymmetric family home, with some feature arched windows, yields two reception rooms (one with a stove), study, den, rear lobby and — the scene-setter — a 40’ by 14’ kitchen/diner/family living room, with access to two courtyard/decks. A section of it has a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and units are by upmarket maker, David Kiely, with a host of integrated appliances.

VERDICT: Lots of money is being spent on sea-view homes, such as Camross at Fountainstown, making €805,000, and the one-time early 1900s Cork Exhibition timber-frame gem overlooking Poulgorm, named Atlantic House, which sold in 2016 for €680,000, and which sources say may have very recently been sold on once more.

Myrtleville, Cork

€795,000

Size: 367 sq ft (3,925 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 6

Bathrooms: 4

BER: C2

Best Feature: Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside.....