Good 1960's vintage in Barnstead off Blackrock Road

No 8 Barnstead needs some updating but is a solid choice for convenient family living

8 Barnstead Drive, Church Road, Blackrock, Cork

Blackrock, Cork
€750,000
Size	140 sq m (1500 sq ft)
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2
BER	D2

THERE’S a sort of mid-century stateside flavour to some of the housing estate homes designed by Denis Higgins, the Cork architect behind 1960s niche schemes such as Janeville, on Blackrock Road, and Barnstead Drive, off Church Road.

Car ports are a feature at Janeville, and cedar shingles on the gable front façade give a distinctive look to homes in Barnstead.

Both estates are generously spread out, with good green spaces and mature trees, and both are closely watched by house hunters prepared to pay over the odds to live in Blackrock — as much for the convenience as for the prestige.

Farmers' Market in Blackrock, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

Homes in both Janeville and Barnstead tend to be homes for life, and Mr Higgins himself lived in the first house in Janeville — a vote of confidence in his own work.

Barnstead has attracted men of the blocks too, including builder Michael Hegarty, who lived with his family at No 1 Barnstead Drive when it was first built.

An examination of the Property Price Register shows few sales until recent years, with five selling since 2018 – compared to just two between 2010 and 2018 – suggesting perhaps that original 1960s owners are moving to the great estate in the sky.

Prices paid for these homes reflect the Blackrock premium, the fact that they are detached (there are some semi-ds in Barnstead, but the house for sale here is detached) and the generous garden size. 

The last sale in the estate, of No 15 in 2021, made €765,000.

In 2020, No 4 sold for €731,500 and in the same year, No 16 sold for €600,000. All were detached, like No 8.

The home that gave the estate its name, Barnstead House, a large, nearby Georgian property, was sold in 2019 for €803,000.

The original lands around Barnstead House were sold off, resulting in Barnstead Drive and Avenue

Barnstead Drive and Avenue were built on the original lands of this house period home by O’Connor Builders.

No 8, in a cul-de-sac off Church Road, over the wall from Menloe Gardens, where similarly-priced Nirvana is also for sale (it’s a semi-d), is near St Michael’s Tennis Club and Blackrock Hurling Club, as well as Blackrock village — where there’s a weekend farmers’ market and the Marina/Greenway.

New Marina Playground

Selling the 140 sq m four-bed is Der O’Riordan, of Barry Auctioneers, and he says it’s “for family, all the way”.

A family has lived there since the house was built and it served them well, Mr O’Riordan says.

It’s a bit dated now, but it’s a good solid home with decent accommodation.

One of two reception rooms measures a very generous 7.3mx3.8m.

Mr O’Riordan says No 8 has the bonus of a “large south facing, mature, private garden”.

He says it’s “a testament to the craft of the architect, as the property remains fresh with a beautiful flow of light throughout”.

The only addition made by the previous owners was a utility room off the kitchen. New owners may look at making more of an adjoining double garage.

“No 8 Barnstead has been a very happy family home for the owners, and presents an excellent opportunity for the next family,” Mr O’Riordan says.

Blackrock is a well-connected suburb, served by two bus routes that link it to Cork city centre.

VERDICT: Settled estate in smashing location.