The Two Towers might sound like a book title, but you'll find them either side of this spacious Belvelly home

Perfect for family, No 2 Cois Fota enjoys a unique setting

Sun, 22 Oct, 2023 - 12:32

Catherine Shanahan

Belvelly, Cork
€620,000
Size	278 sq m (2992 sq ft)
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	5
BER	B3

YOU can bet your bottom dollar that Cois Fota in Belvelly is the only housing estate in the country where neighbouring homes include a Martello Tower and a castle, both meticulously restored.

To get a real handle on the setting, the best way to view it is from the air, or from the top of the castle, which seem unlikely options for most buyers. Next best is to take a look at the main image published here.

It shows not only the majestic and historic tower and castle, but also their magnificent backdrop of Belvelly Channel.

Sitting pretty in this picture is Cois Fota, an upmarket estate of 10 large, detached homes, built by Kinsale builder Joe Neville in 2003, around the time that the owner of No 2, who has Cork roots, was looking to return to her native county.

At first it looked as if Cois Fota was out of reach, as all 10 homes had been sold, but luckily for her, the sale of No 2 fell through. She was told it was hers if she could be in within a month. She’s been there with her family ever since, and in those 20 years, the estate has seen just two re-sales: No 6 sold in 2015 for €440,000 and No 4 sold in 2019 for €650,000.

“Our neighbours here are more than neighbours, they are friends and I’ll be friends with them forever,” the owner says.

“When we moved here, our kids were the same age as the other kids in the estate, so they all went to school together and there was always someone to share lifts with."

They’ve also celebrated milestones in each other’s homes, and even holidayed together.

They’ve a residents’ association too and a management company looks after the upkeep of the estate, which the residents contribute towards (€125 monthly). The houses, arranged in an L-shape, overlook a large green, with slim danger of development on adjacent lands as the residents bought the right of way.

At almost 3,000 sq ft, Cois Fota houses are larger than your average family home, with double height entrance halls and generous reception rooms either side.

The kitchen, open plan to a sunroom, overlooks the rear garden.

There’s another decent sized room off the kitchen, which the owner uses as a home office but it could be a playroom too. Beyond it is a utility room and a door into the garage, which can be accessed internally and externally.

There’s a fine guest loo off the hallway, and plenty more bathrooms upstairs.

Each of the two kids’ bedrooms have steps down to fine ensuites.

The main bedroom has an ensuite too.

Belvelly Castle, a 13th century tower whose custodians Garry and Anne Wilson did a magnificent job of restoring it in recent years, is visible from the rear bedrooms at No 2.

Belvelly Castle at dawn Picture: David Creedon

Out front, the Martello Tower, restored by its previous owners the Haughtons, is out in the open since its new owner, a former Munster and Ireland rugby player, removed trees that ringed the perimeter.

There’s a large green out front too.

“It’s peaceful and tranquil without being isolated,” the owner says, adding that her rear garden is nice and private, and has the advantage of a southwest aspect.

Supermarkets on the outskirts of Cobh town are a five minute drive away, while Fota train station is about a 15 minute walk. Cork City is about the same by car.

Johanna Murphy of Johanna Murphy & Sons is selling No 2 and she says people are very slow to leave the estate as it’s “mature and well established, ideally situated to avail of a fantastic rail service” while the houses are “exceptional family homes”.