Munster Eye: Sizing up a selection of country homes across the six counties

This week we cast our sharp Munster Eyes over a selection of country homes in the southern six counties.

They include properties in Kerry and Waterford crying out for an enterprising buyer and a beautiful home in West Cork where the pull of overseas grandchildren is behind the For Sale sign.

A gorgeous Co Clare property comes with its own ancient mill race; there’s an air raid shelter tucked under part of the garden in a Tipperary home, while Co Limerick serves up a fine family home that comes with its own tennis court.

Clare

Houses that come with a mill are rare as hen’s teeth but one such property is Mill Farm House, Caheraderry Mill, just minutes by car from the gorgeous West Clare coast.

The current owner, who gutted and renovated the BER C house, is moving to the east coast to be closer to her son who is returning from overseas.

Her home dates back to the mid 19th century, and the mill is older still - built in 1830, five years before O' Brien' s Tower at the Cliffs of Moher.

The Mill Race is in situ and the property includes a range of outbuildings, six in all, together with a two-bay haybarn, stables and tack room.

The 2151 sq m property, on sale since August with Cianan Duff of Savills, sits on four acres and viewings have picked up in recent weeks.

“Everyone who has viewed the house has a different idea for it,” the owner says.

They include couples with young children who want a different way of life, with the option of working from home, as well as viewers with an eye to how they might run a business from the property, such as Airbnb.

In an idyllic setting bound by two rivers, the owner is keen to point out that it has never flooded.

It’s surrounded by mature trees, including two Oaks.

“It’s a soft way of life here, a much easier pace,” the owner says.

CLARE
• Lahinch, Co Clare
• €450,000
• Bedrooms: 3
• Bathrooms: 1

Cork

The pull of grandchildren living overseas is the principal reason behind the decision of the Continental couple who own this fabulous property to sell up.

“They’re reluctantly leaving, but they want more time with family,” says selling agent Pat Maguire of Pat Maguire Properties.

The house was completely overhauled by a UK couple prior to the current owners and is described as a “traditional extended farmhouse with outbuildings” on a c1.25 acre landscaped plot.

It’s oozing with character and high quality finishes.

The 2,000sq ft property, with a separate 400 sq ft stone studio - which could be converted, with planning permission, to additional accommodation - has stimulated plenty of viewings but not yet a firm offer.

Mr Maguire predicts further UK interest post-Brexit.

“Traditionally West Cork attracts people from the UK. This is a good lifestyle purchase for early retirees looking for the good life,” Mr Maguire says.

Set in in rolling hills outside Drimoleague, Gurteeniher, with an E1 BER, is one mile north of Drimoleague in the centre of West Cork and circa one hour’s drive from Cork Airport.

CORK
• Gurteeniher, Drimoleague, West Cork
• €395,000
• Bedrooms: 4
• Bathrooms: 3

Kerry

Set in Kerry Gaeltacht heartland this 150 sq m property falls firmly into the “project” category.

A family home built in the ‘60s, Dún Breandáin’s been unoccupied for a number of years and needs a lot of love and attention.

The potential is considerable for someone with the time and energy to haul it into the 21st century.

The property, on 0.86 of an acre, includes two chalets, which have fallen into disrepair, but were once used as rented accommodation.

Its location on the beautiful Dingle Peninsula, just six miles from Dingle town, could make it attractive to someone looking to do capitalise on the huge passing tourist trade or perhaps provide accommodation to Irish college students.

Selling agent Anthony Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald and Associates auctioneers says there was an offer of €200,000 on the property which was rejected.

The village of Ballydavid, on the north side of Smerwick Harbour, is about half a mile away and beaches like Muiríoch are nearby.

Dún Breandáin is on the public flow (sewerage and water).

KERRY
• Ballydavid, Co Kerry
• €250,000
• Bedrooms: 5
• Bathrooms: 1

Limerick

Derrynane House, Rathcannon, Athlacca, was built in the 1980s as a fine family home with a self-contained granny flat at the back.

It came to market a couple of years back and sold for €153,000, according to the Property Price Register.

This time around the sale price is considerably higher (150% increase), but this reflects the comprehensive overhaul the property has undergone.

Pat Dooley of Dooley auctioneers says two-storey Derrynane is on a fine site with landscaped lawns, mature trees and sweeping driveway, tennis court, patio area, and brick paving.

While the house has been totally renovated to include an ultra-mod kitchen, it’s still pretty much a blank canvas for new owners to let their own personality shine through.

Room sizes are generous and there is a feature staircase as well as a roll top standalone bath.

The granny flat opens up options for keeping family close by or for generating extra income via renting.

Location-wise, it’s a 25 minute drive from the main Cork/Limerick Road.

LIMERICK
• Kilmallock, Co Limerick
• €385,000
• Bedrooms: 5
• Bathrooms: 3

Tipperary

There’s been a lot of interest in Ballykelly, a striking country house, home for a number of years to a family who are now relocating.

In a rich countryside setting, this 200 sq m BER C property has been fully restored and refurbished and can count among its outbuildings an original coach house and an air raid shelter tucked under part of the garden.

Selling agent Aidan O’Dwyer of Sherry FitzGerald O’Dwyer and Davern, says it’s just minutes from the historic town of Cashel and a short drive to Thurles, with onward train connections to Cork, Dublin and Limerick.

It’s a period farmhouse with a well-utilised modern kitchen, if the frequent magnificent smell of cooking was anything to go by, Mr O’Dwyer says.

An added attraction is a sunroom with patio garden to the door and a boot room/utility with WC inside the back door for added convenience. Trees abound and there’s also a vegetable garden.

A large three-span haybarn, fully walled, with fitted shelving, offers plenty storage options.

TIPPERARY
• Cashel, Co Tipperary
• €420,000
• Bedrooms: 5
• Bathrooms: 3

Waterford

The number of bedrooms and bathrooms quoted in the brochure in relation to this property at Farnane, Cappagh gives the initial impression that it’s diminutive - in fact the whole package extends to more than 24 acres.

Emer Barry of Harty & Co Auctioneers says a lot of the acreage is under magnificent natural woodland, with eight acres plus of grazing land.

In addition to the main house - a traditional cottage in need of modernising - there are chalets and timber huts dotted about the woodlands, which also require an upgrade.

Having previously operated as a kind of retreat centre, Ms Barry reckons it’s an ideal site for a wellness centre, or perhaps glamping (glamorous camping).

“There’s huge potential here for outdoor pursuits, it’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

"There’s also potential for self-sufficiency, with plenty of land to grow-your-own,” she says.

The Farnane River runs along the boundary and the area is renowned for walking.

Ms Barry compares it to The Towers Walk, at Ballysaggartmore, near Lismore, a popular woodland walking and picnic area.

WATERFORD
• Dungarvan, Waterford
• €250,000
• Bedrooms: 2
• Bath: 1