Bigger proved to be better at this €825k White's Cross home with luscious gardens

The late Brian Cross designed the garden layout at Dún an Óir 

Dún an Óir,, Ballincrokig, White's Cross

White's Cross, Cork
€825,000
Size	355 sq m (3824 sq ft)
Bedrooms	5
Bathrooms	4
BER	B2

SOMEWHERE in the long running debate about what constitutes optimal quality housing density, a new catchphrase was coined. Called “Goldilocks” density, in general terms it meant the number of homes per hectare was neither too low nor too high, but ‘just right’. That’s kinda the way it panned out for the owners of Dún an Óir, in Ballincrokig, White’s Cross. When they went in for planning 25 years ago, the density debate was less fevered. Having bought a one-acre serviced site with outline planning consent for one house, they had no difficulty securing full approval for their very large home in eight-house Cluain na Gréine. 

Nowadays, residential schemes tend towards far higher density in the wider Ballyvolane/Ballincrokig/White’s Cross area eg O’Flynn Construction’s 275-unit development in Arderrow, off Ballyhooley Road, and plans by Longview Estates Ltd to build 750 homes in Ballyvolane - albeit their request for an extension of planning was recently turned down. Lucky then for the owners of Dún an Óir that they got in at the right time when building their home.

“Basically what we wanted was a lot of space and when we knew we had a big site, we wanted to do justice to it,” the owners say.

With four sporty kids, they wanted land where they could “run about and play and put tents up”.

“Myself and my wife both come from large, extended families and we wanted our kids to have lots of freedom growing up,” says the man of the house.

The decision to go for spacious rooms was deliberate too “and where that really came into its own was during covid”, he says.

“At one stage there were five of us working from home and we weren’t all on top of each other.” Dún an Óir was built in late 1999 and the family moved in in 2000. A timber-frame home with a Ballydesmond sandstone finish, the owner says they were “a small bit ahead of our time”.

Not a lot of people were building timber frame houses back then, but they did, hiring timber frame specialists Cygnum.

“They do a lot of the O’Flynn houses now and the fact that they are still going strong is a good sign,” the owner says.

An even better sign is how energy efficient this 355 sq m house is. Despite its age, it has a B2 energy rating.

It’s a very private home too, tucked at the back of an eight-house cul-de-sac, on a site bounded by mature trees and shrubs.

“What attracted us first day was the sense of security and peace,” says the vendor.

They hired Brian Cross, the late garden designer, to organise the garden layout.

“My wife has done a lot of planting over the years, while I do the heavy lifting,” says the owner, adding that they’ve “tried to keep it as maintenance free as possible”. Out front a cobble lock driveway is bordered by lawn, a wealth of colourful shrubbery and specimen trees.

 The site fans out substantially to the sides and rear and is mainly laid to lawn (plenty room for goalposts). 

Determined to make the most of a sunny aspect out back, the owners have a series of adjoining sitting out areas: Indian sandstone patio, porcelain tiles and new composite decking added two years ago.

 A sunroom, added 12 years ago, has double doors to the outdoor area. 

A second set of double doors leads from a home office to the patio. Colourful raised flower beds surround these sitting-out areas “It’s like an outdoor room. It’s terrific for big family gatherings,” the owner says.

Rainy day entertainment is not a problem – there are three reception rooms.

 The kitchen was slightly extended and given a stylish, contemporary makeover in 2017.

 All five bedrooms are doubles and the main has an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe.

The owner says they’ve had great neighbours and loved living at Dún an Óir but the househas outgrown them, as their kids are reared.

“We’d love to see another family get the opportunity to take it to the next stage,” he says. He points out that there ‘s a garage too, floored at first floor level, and plumbed for a toilet and whb, it could be converted to a granny flat, or put to multiple other uses, with planning permission, he says.

Suzanne Tyrrell of Cohalan Downing is selling Dún an Óir, which has a guide price of €825,000.

“It’s just ideal for families. There’s great circulation space downstairs and the garden is so private and safe. I think people looking to trade up out of housing estates, while remaining close to the city, will love it. As the owner points out, it’s just 5km from MacCurtain Street,” Ms Tyrrell says.

VERDICT: A very well-presented home with terrific gardens and outdoor entertainment area. Family fare all the way.