Splash of colour at Lake Road as appealing outdoors as it is indoors

Cobh home encourages you to feast your eyes indoors as well as outside, says Catherine Shanahan.

Wed, 16 Oct, 2019 - 18:22

Catherine Shanahan

Cobh home encourages you to feast your eyes indoors as well as outside, says Catherine Shanahan.

There's a boutique hotel vibe to this Victorian gem on Lake Road, Cobh, where warm colours, vintage fabrics and opulent furniture are the order of the day.

The internals are excellent, topped only by the magnificent vista on offer once you step outside.

Peering down from its perch at Sunny Heights, Ardmore overlooks an ever-changing seascape which estate agent Johanna Murphy believes her mother summed up perfectly when she was a child.

“I remember her saying it was a hive of activity by day, lit up like a jewel box at night, and that’s exactly how it is,” she says.

In light of its obvious attractions, who would want to sell Ardmore?

Someone with a grá for overhauling period homes, that’s who.

Having brought Ardmore as far as she can, the owner is chafing at the bit for a new challenge.

“Ardmore is restored to perfection, there is literally no more that can be done,” Ms Murphy says.

“The owners want to buy another period property and do that up.”

Built around 1890 and set on one third of an acre, it’s a walk-in home, with every inch of the site maximised, adds Ms Murphy.

The garden to the rear has a couple of tiers, each cashing in on the view.

There’s a garden room where raised flower beds form a colourful backdrop, a dog run, patios areas, a separate space for drying clothes, a purpose-built outhouse and an outside laundry room and toilet — handy for the avid gardener or a household with sports-mad kids.

Another large patio framed by clumps of clear-blue African lily runs along the front of the two-storey semi-detached house which has a fine sunroom to the side, capitalising on its south-facing aspect.

Ms Murphy says Ardmore is among the many residences in Cobh built, back-in-the-day, for the British Royal Admiralty.

Cobh has a history of attracting overseas visitors and continues to do so with a hectic visiting cruise liner schedule.

It’s tourist attractions continue to expand, with Spike Island making it into the grand finals of the World Travel Awards two years ago.

Ms Murphy says Cobh has transformed from a working town which was severely depressed not so long ago to an increasingly popular tourist destination. And its rising profile is making it attractive to overseas buyers.

They see property in Cobh as good value for money, particularly buyers in the UK.

Ardmore is a “very nicely proportioned” home, Ms Murphy, and an easy house to heat and maintain. There’s been a lot of interest in the property.

Sash windows are double-glazed and a new boiler has been installed for the oil central heating.

The house retains many of its original features and the owner has paid great attention to detail in the fit-out.

The kitchen units have distressed brass handles with marble insert, the hand basin in the bathroom is set in a carved mahogany stand, there’s an Aga in the kitchen and a half door into the courtyard and plantation shutters throughout.

Then there’s those glorious bay windows and and three double bedrooms.

The house has on-street parking and is approached via steps.

Ms Murphy believes it is ideal for a young couple or a family. “There are shops and schools within walking distance, as well as the tennis club and sailing club and the train station is five minutes away. It’s a great location and would be a great buy,” she says.

VERDICT: Much more than a room with a view.