Property in Ballycotton on the crest of a wave

Tommy Barker visits a lovely seaside bolt-hole that offers you peace and tranquility in the picturesque fishing village.

Sat, 04 Apr, 2020 - 08:00

Tommy Barker

Tommy Barker visits a lovely seaside bolt-hole that offers you peace and tranquility in the picturesque fishing village.

The last few years have seen a resurgence in appreciation of the many charms of East Cork’s Ballycotton, understandably so – the question is why it sort of languished for any period at all?

Perhaps it’s because it’s at the end of a coastal cul de sac? You drive back out the same way you came in, the road doesn’t lead to any place else.

So, Ballycotton sort of stands, or rests, on its own, bookended by its pier, cocooning harbour and with its black lighthouse on the domed island a sort of dramatic exclamation mark of arrival, whether by land or by sea... and one recent unexpected arrival was the ‘ghost’ ship the MV Alta, which washed up crewless on its rocky shoreline after long and lonely trans-Atlantic drift.

An upgraded property now up for sale has a link to the village’s past, set on Barrack Hill, as part of a cluster of what would once have been diminutive little 19th century homes set on the slope, and sort of dug into it, close to the setting of the original RIC barracks (currently being renovated.)

Listed with East Cork estate agent, Helen Kearney of CCM Property in Midleton, this is a semi-detached four-bedroom home, one of two done to the same level, and larger now than the neighbouring originals. Surprisingly enough, it stretches to 1,950 sq ft, over sort of split levels within.

Its setting is fairly elevated, with some views over Ballycotton Bay from a raised deck or balcony set up to the back of the property, accessed off the living room in the main, and one of the four bedrooms also has external balcony access.

At street level, a short ramp leads to the front door, while the main living room is up a level from the entry point: it has a solid fuel stove as a practical heating back-up to the property’s electric storage heaters.

There’s a modern, open plan kitchen/dining area, a main bathroom with shower over the bath, utility (with external/balcony access also), and one of the four bedrooms is en suite, with a shower.

There’s also a workshed store, and parking for up to three cars, but other than that, really no external grounds, other than the balconies.

While it may be bought for full-time residential use, and will be easily kept, it also may appeal to those looking for a holiday home/bolt-hole or possible future retirement option, within a minute’s walk of Ballycotton’s main ‘street.’ CCM’s HelenKearney says it’s bright and well kept, and she guides at €295,000, saying it is in walk-in condition.

Meanwhile, also on Barrack Hill an acre of land, with planning permission for two detached views is currently on the market, with a guide price of €190,000, or it can be bought in two lots, at €95,000 a pop.

Within a short walk of Barrack Hill are the pier, bars and cafes, close too is the Sea Church Events Centre, a recently-opened live music venue in a former Church of Ireland church, with adjoining restaurant, which opened just in time for the current Covid-19 lockdown of both types of amenities, delivered by a locally-born entrepreneur who is investing millions of euros into the local economy, properties and businesses.

Ballycotton’s about 25 miles from Cork city, and 15-20 minutes drive from Midleton, while closer to hand are Shanagarry, Ballymaloe, Kilkenny Design, sports facilities, plus beaches at Garryvoe and Ballinamona and other ‘hidden’ finds, fishing points and super-scenic cliff walks.