House of the Week: Converted space makes for unique view of Kinsale Harbour

It would be criminal to live by the sea and not be able to see it, a bit like Tantalus and that elusive fruit.

The owners of Marianville in Summer Cove inverted the living space to maximise their view and what a vista it is: Kinsale Harbour, once the “cockpit of Europe”, when 17th-century European armies fought for control of it, now a magnet for the boating fraternity and sea anglers and generally anyone with an appreciation of seascape, fine food and/or golf.

From the fine-sized upstairs living area of Marianville, the observer can look down over the mouth of the harbour and Castlepark Peninsula, through generous windows that ensure the room is constantly flooded with light. Two front bedrooms also maximise the views.

The stairway that connects the two floors runs up to the middle of the 60sq m living area, leading on to a breakfast counter.

“It breaks it up the space nicely,” says selling agent Ron Krueger of estate agents Engel and Volkers.

Mr Krueger says the Americans who have occupied Marianville for the past few years are returning to live in the United States, hence the house is up for sale.

“It was already in good shape when they bought it three years ago, but they gave it the gorgeous look it has now,” he says.

Part of that gorgeousness includes a striking contemporary kitchen with granite worktop, as well as double-height ceilings and open beams upstairs, which add considerable charm to this detached period property.

To the rear of this centre-piece is a smaller room, currently used as a TV room/study area. There is also an upstairs WC.

Two generous double bedrooms, both ensuite, occupy the downstairs area, as well as a utility room.

It hasn’t been long on the market, but there’s been strong interest, says Mr Krueger. The first open viewing drew a mix of people: Those scouting for a holiday home, potential investors and couples.

The property is probably not suited to a family with young children, Mr Krueger says.

“It could be a home for older kids, not so much younger ones. If there are kids in the family, it might appeal more as a holiday home,” he adds.

Kinsale is a huge holiday draw, not just because it’s such a pretty town, but because it’s business community/hospitality sector has invested heavily in ensuring fabulous dining experiences, including gourmet food festivals, for the thousands who visit every year.

Many of its pubs have an excellent reputation for serving good food, not least the award-winning Bulman, a short stroll down the hill from Marianville.

Up the hill in the opposite direction is Charles Fort, a star-shaped military fortress, built in the 17th century, when Kinsale was still a pocket of English colonisation, as the historians might say.

As history shows, Kinsale, on the south west coast, is a highly desirable location for a wide variety of reasons, and property comes at a price.

This particular property has a price tag of €440,000. Parking is on-street and Marianville doesn’t have a garden - but the latter may be a plus for investors, or anyone considering it as a holiday home, where they can just lock and go.

The property is a mere five-minute drive from Kinsale town and a 25-minute drive from Cork city.

For anyone who fancies strolling from home into town, the incomparable Scilly Walk, which dips beautifully down along the coast, will take you from Marianville to the town centre in no time at all.

VERDICT: In Summer Cove, the livin’ is easy.

Summer Cove, Kinsale

Size: 140sq m (1,507sq ft)

Price: €440,000

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 3

BER: D1