City to Country: Stylishly modern Ringsend brown-brick or scenic views of Kenmare Bay at €485k

Smartly positioned homes across urban and rural areas of Ireland

Tue, 02 Jul, 2024 - 06:05

Trish Dromey

Ringsend, Dublin 4
€500,000
Size	55 sq m (592 sq ft)
Bedrooms	1
Bathrooms	2
BER	C3

THE owners of 11 South Dock Place at Ringsend in Dublin 4 have made excellent use of every square inch in their small, mid-terrace one-bed home and have done it beautifully.

Cathy Burke of Owen Reilly auctioneers says when they were decorating the Edwardian brown brick property they bought four years ago, the owners used the services of an interior designer.

“It’s been completely renovated and has new kitchen units , upgraded bathrooms and double glazed sash style windows,” she says adding that it’s also been rewired, replumbed, refloored, and “styled beautifully”.

Guiding at €500,000, the 55 sq m property also has an attic room which has been transformed into a pretty nursery.

The open-plan kitchen/dining/living space occupying the entire ground floor is stylishly modern with white walls, contemporary grey kitchen units and, for contrast, black alcove units and a black stove.

Both the bathroom and the en suite bedroom on the first floor have been upgraded as has the attic room which was converted by previous owners.

Folding doors in the kitchen open onto a narrow patio which has timber wall panelling and a Gothic mirror to reflect light.

“The location at Ringsend in the heart of Dublin 4 is hugely sought after. It’s within walking distance of the Aviva stadium, Ballsbridge, Grand Canal Dock, and Sandymount,” says Ms Burke noting that the Dart at Grand Canal provides easy access to the city centre.

VERDICT: Small but picture perfect.

Kilcrohane, West Cork
€445,000
Size	166 sq m (1,790sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	4
BER	A2

WHILE some folk love old world properties others want to get their hands on modern, newly-built energy efficient homes that they can finish, furnish, and decorate themselves.

For the latter type of buyer, Sherry FitzGerald O’Neill are offering a recently completed three-bed detached, dormer property at Kilcrohane on Sheep’s head Peninsula for a guide of €445,000.

“It’s on the Wild Atlantic Way and has magnificent views of Dunmanus Bay,” says auctioneer Olivia Hanafin adding that the 166 sq m property is architect designed and has an A2 energy rating.

The interior has tiled and timber flooring as well as kitchen units and sanitary ware but is pretty much a blank canvas for a new owner to finish and decorate.

Ground floor accommodation includes an open-plan kitchen/dining/living room as well as a sunroom at the side. There’s also a bathroom, a utility room, and an en suite bedroom at the front. The upper floor has two en suite bedrooms.

The detached home at Kilcrohane West is on a site of close to half an acre which is in need of landscaping.

Located within minutes from local shops, it’s 6km from Ahakista, and 23km from Bantry.

“New properties are quite rare in this area. We are getting interest from people who want holiday homes and people who want to spend their retirement in a coastal West Cork location,” says Ms Hanafin.

VERDICT: Scenic, modern, and energy efficient

Gortcurka, Co Clare
€495,000
Size	232 sq m (2,500 sq ft)
Bedrooms	5
Bathrooms	3
BER	A2

ONCE a refuge for abandoned donkeys, The Sanctuary in the woodlands at Gortcurka near Corofin in Co Clare could perhaps become a haven for a buyer seeking to escape the cares of city living.

On the market with a guide of €495,000, it’s a five-bed farmhouse which comes with a site of five acres and several outbuildings including stables which the current owner has turned into holiday studios.

“It was a donkey sanctuary for 30 years but has since 2016 been successfully trading as an Airbnb,” says Douglas Hurley of DNG O’Sullivan Hurley explaining that the owner put a lot of work into upgrading and redecorating to make this possible.

An elongated traditional farmhouse with some exposed stone walls, timber panelled ceiling and latched doors, it’s been colourfully decorated and equipped with modern comforts.

“It has solar panels, an oil condensing boiler, and double-glazed sash-style PVC windows,” says Mr Hurley.

Accommodation includes a huge reception room, a dining room, a kitchen, as well as five bedrooms — one en suite — and two bathrooms.

Outbuildings include sheds and barns as well as a 78sq m workshop and three small guest lodges.

Situated in a clearing, the Sanctuary is surrounded by forestry.

“It has charm, character and scenic views of the countryside and of the Burren Hills and Mullaghmore,” says Mr Hurley noting that it’s secluded but not remote being 7km from Corofin and 11km from Ennis.

VERDICT: A retreat, a home, or perhaps a business opportunity.

Rossmore Island, Co Kerry
€485,000
Size	134 sq m (1,445 sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2
BER	C1

POSITIONED to offer scenic views of Kenmare Bay and the rugged mountains of Beara, Carrig Fada at 2 Rossmore Island in Tahilla shouldn’t prove at all difficult to sell.

Built in 2005 and finished in 2010, it’s a three-bed, stone-faced dormer with a guide of €485,000.

“The setting is picturesque and the residence is attractive, modern, and very well maintained,” says Suzanne Teahan of Sherry FitzGerald Daly, noting that it’s being sold fully furnished.

Designed to resemble a traditional style cottage, the 134 sq m property includes a sunroom at the side. There’s a large timber-floored kitchen/ dining/living space with shaker-style kitchen units at one end and a high traditional style stone fireplace at the other. To the rear there’s also a utility and a bathroom.

The upstairs has a bathroom and three bedrooms including one with a large dormer window which frames the view of the sky, the sea, and the mountains beautifully.

One of three similar style properties built in 2005, Carrig Fada is on a site of almost three quarters of an acre.

Used until now as a holiday home, it could, Ms Teahan believes, attract buyers who want to work from home since fibre broadband is set to become available in the area this year.