A modernised historic gate lodge for €295k on Old Blackrock Rd

Rochelle Gate Lodge is the perfect downsizer or starter home

Rochelle Lodge, 48 Old Blackrock Road

Old Blackrock Road, Cork City
€295,000
Size	48 sq m (516 sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	1
BER	F

FOR years this diminutive gate lodge stood sentinel to the daughters of clergymen, merchants and professional gentleman for whom Rochelle School provided a viable alternative to an unaffordable private education.

The school opened on the Old Blackrock Road in 1863, having moved there from South Terrace. Prior to that, it was in Cook Street, in Cork City centre. Neither of the city sites could compete with the large grounds at Rochelle House in Blackrock, where the school provided a general education for girls, both boarders and day students (see Rochelle and Cork Grammar School – Education Project (wordpress.com).

Crisp looking living room in the Gate Lodge

Researchers say the move was vital for the school as it gave it room to develop and expand. It also led to a name change, from Cork Preparatory Seminary for Young Governesses to Rochelle School. Further radical change occurred in 1972 when Rochelle School merged with Cork Grammar School to create Ashton, on the same site as you will find Ashton Secondary School today.

Rochelle House was modified to act as a boarding hostel for students attending Ashton, but as the number of boarders declined, to the point where it was no longer economical to keep the facility going, it closed for good in 1999. The property was subsequently sold and demolished in 2003 to make way for apartments and townhouses, built by O’Callaghan Properties (OCP).

Modern kitchen at the Gate Lodge

Through all of this change, the little gate lodge stood its ground, and still it stands today, probably not much different externally to what it was when it was built in 1810 (redbrick, grey stone), but entirely different inside. The current owner bought it in 2008 – it had been used as an office by OCP during their home building – and she did a good bit of work, redoing the electrics, the plumbing and putting in a new bathroom, before putting it up for rent.

New bathroom

The two-up, two-down home has a modern feel now internally, but with some nice original features (internal doors, fireplace).

Original fireplace

 There’s some outdoor space too – enough to park up inside the main gates of Rochelle - and there’s also a small, low maintenance garden, to the rear/side of the lodge, with scope to do more. 

There’s scope to do a great deal more  with a yard off the kitchen, which selling agent Áine McLoughlin says “gets all the evening sun”. Right now, it’s drab concrete, but a bit of imagination might turn it into a sun terrace.

Ms McLoughlin of AML Property Services is guiding No 48 Old Blackrock Road at €295,000 and she says all of the early enquiries were from retirees, including from overseas.

“The fact that it’s detached and affordable and so close to the city is a big attraction. You can walk from there to the Marina and to Blackrock Village. There are so many amenities in the area and it’s a lovely neighbourhood,” Ms McLoughlin says.

First time buyers are also enquiring about the 48 sq m home, “people who want to make it their primary, principal residence”, Ms McLoughlin says.

Accommodation includes a kitchen/dining room and a living room downstairs and two bedrooms and a bathroom overhead.

VERDICT: A house rich in character and history in a great location. Ideal downsizer or starter home. Garden/yard could be improved substantially.