City to Country: Stylish living in pink Dublin property or spacious West Cork stone-clad home

Rare apartment near Howth or rural escape just 3km from Schull?

Wed, 03 Apr, 2024 - 12:53

Trish Dromey

Howth, Dublin 13
€545,000
Size	78 sq m (840 sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	2
BER	E1

Apartments can be stylish and chic but are rarely as pretty as this one at 3 Rookstown House in Howth which is located on the top floor of a picture postcard pink-and-white Victorian property.

In the early 2000s the period property and its grounds were converted into a small gated development which consists of four modern detached houses as well as three apartments.

“No 3 occupies the entire first floor of the old house — it’s attractive and owner-occupied and has access to communal gardens and communal parking,” says Conor Gallagher of Gallagher Quigley who is seeking offers of €545,000.

Entrance is through the main door of the house which opens into a hallway providing access to a staircase leading to the first floor. Accommodation includes a timber-floored living room with shuttered sash windows as well as a split-level kitchen/diner.

There’s also a timber-floored bedroom with three windows in addition to a small study and a bathroom. A set of steps leads up to a bathroom and a bedroom with a Velux window which are situated on a slightly higher level.

The apartment has 74 sq m and an E1 energy rating which will need to be looked at. Mr Gallagher says it’s a very attractive property in a sought-after location — 2km from Howth village, pier, and Dart station.

VERDICT: Very prettily done.

Killarney, Co. Kerry
€565,000
Size	159 sq m (1,610 sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	3
BER	C2

Although currently used as a high-end rental, this spacious three-bed apartment at C1 The Old Presbytery on Cathedral Place in Killarney is now expected to attract retirees, relocators, and holiday home buyers.

Built in 1959, The Old Presbytery became a restaurant in the 1990s before being turned into a gated complex with 11 apartments and two penthouses in 2012. Situated on the ground floor in the centre of the development, apartment No C1 has recently been listed with a guide of €565,000.

“It has the original main entrance with a colourful mosaic above the door,” reveals Karina Gallivan of Property Partners Gallivan explaining that this modern 149 sq m apartment has a high-quality finish and three spaces in an underground carpark.

At the front of the apartment there are three oak-floored bedrooms including two with en suites. Overlooking the communal courtyard at the rear, there’s an oak-floored lounge with a marble fireplace as well as a utility room and a tiled kitchen/diner with cream units with granite worktops.

Fitted with an alarm and CCTV, the property has gas central heating and a C2 BER.

Located opposite Killarney’s cathedral, close to an entrance to Killarney National Park, the Old Presbytery is within a short walk from shops and restaurants.

“Killarney Racecourse is 1.6km away, and the shores of Lough Leane are within a 10-minute stroll,” says Ms Gallivan.

VERDICT: It’s spacious, modern, easy to keep, and very central.

Rathcool, West Cork
€495,000
Size	176 sq m (1,895 sq ft)
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	4
BER	C2

At the base of Mount Gabriel on the Mizen Peninsula, Innisfree is a spacious and attractive stone-clad property which has already attracted interest from UK buyers.

“It’s an excellent family home on a one-acre site which is located within a short drive from Schull village,” says Colm Cleary of James Lyons O’Keeffe auctioneers who has set a guide of €495,000.

Construction started on the 176 sq m property in 2011 and was completed in 2015, says Mr Cleary explaining that it has a number of quirky green features including solar tubes for hot water and a waste bio unit and was plumbed so that the oil-fired central heating could be switched to a geothermal system.

Accommodation at ground level includes a timber-floored living room with a fireplace, as well as a kitchen/diner with timber-fitted units. There’s also a utility room, a bathroom and a bedroom while the first floor has a second bathroom and three more bedrooms including two en suites.

“It offers peace and quiet, clean crisp air and a very generous garden in an area of outstanding beauty,” says Mr Cleary. He says interest is coming from buyers in the UK and Dublin who are thinking of relocating to West Cork.

VERDICT: Offers country living with space and West Cork scenery.

Crecora, Co Limerick
€485,000
Size	149 sq m (1,595 sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	2
BER	D1

Fairhill near Crecora village will charm house hunting trade up buyers from Limerick city with its mature gardens and attractive limestone walls and redbrick window quoins.

The ground floor of the old cottage has been turned into a slate-floored kitchen/dining/ sitting room which has a stone chimney breast with a stove in the centre and cream kitchen units at one side.

In the extension there are two oak floored bedrooms ( one en suite) in addition to a sun lounge and a high ceilinged living room with oak flooring and ceiling beams and a contemporary German stove. The first floor of the old cottage now has two attic rooms and a bathroom.

Fitted with solar panels, and oil fired heating, Fairhill has a D1 BER.

Outside there’s half an acre of mature well cared for lawned gardens, with raised beds and a large patio. Located within a few minutes’ walk from Crecora village, the house is 12km from Limerick city centre.