First time buyers vie for €375,000 Blackrock bungalow near the village

It's all about location at Dunlocha Cottages 

8a Dunlocha Cottages, Blackrock

Blackrock, Cork city
€375,000
Size	102 sq m (1098 sq ft)
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	1
BER	D1

GIVEN the eye-watering prices racked up by sales of properties in Blackrock and the many handsome homes in the area, it’s hard to envisage a time when living conditions were pretty dire in parts of the village.

Such was the case as recounted by Cork City Councillor and historian Kieran McCarthy in his book Cork in 50 Buildings (Amberley Publishing).

The Independent Councillor writes that in early April 1910, at a general meeting of Cork Rural District Council, member Daniel Coakley raised the need to buy land in Blackrock as space was required for new homes “to relieve some of the local poverty conditions near Blackrock Pier”. It was proposed to buy land called Jameson’s Field and the proposal was supported by another district council member, Richard Wallace.

“After much lobbying, in the autumn of 1913, the 35 Rural District cottages in Jameson’s Field, called Dunlocha Cottages, were ready for occupation,” Mr McCarthy writes.

“Daniel Coakley’s Row and Richard Wallace’s Row, or Coakley’s Row and Wallace’s Row as they were officially called, were to hold some of Blackrock’s older residents,” he writes, adding that less than half were given to individuals associated with the fishing industry in Blackrock.

Blessing of the nets on the opening day of the salmon fishing season at Blackrock pier. 01/02/1934

More than 100 years later, the number of homes that constitute Dunlocha Cottages has mushroomed. While the originals remain, fronting the road that runs from Rope Walk to Ringmahon Rd, many more single- storey homes have sprung up in the back gardens. For example the house featured here, No 8a Dunlocha Cottage, was built in the 1980s, to the rear of the original home at No 8. 

8a Dunlocha Cottages, aerial

Most of the homes in the row followed suit and built second dwellings in their generous rear gardens (planning files show a raft of applications in the noughties to build to the rear of the originals).

Poverty at the pier is no longer a feature of Blackrock village which has benefitted from much investment and the arrival of new coffee shops in recent years, not to mention the multitude of improvements along the nearby Marina. Small wonder then that homes that come up for sale in the vicinity excite much interest. No 8a is no exception: first time buyers are particularly keen, according to selling agent Angela Jordan of ERA Downey McCarthy, who is guiding at €375,000.

“We’re seeing huge interest, all mortgage approved first time buyers,” Ms Jordan says.

While the original cottages are semi-ds, No 8a is a detached, 102 sq m home. It comes with a private driveway and a west-facing rear garden, so further expansion is possible, with planning consent.

Existing accommodation includes open-plan kitchen/dining, a living room and four bedrooms.

No 8a, which has been rented out for the past seven years, is immediately habitable.

Ms Jordan expects the buyer to be an owner/occupier. “Everyone viewing it is looking for a home to live in and this property could be expanded down the line,” she says.

The location is excellent, near Blackrock village, the Marina and Mahon Point, and served by public transport. The energy rating is a D1.

The upgraded Marina Promenade Picture: Larry Cummins

VERDICT: Location is the chief selling point. Scope to expand an advantage.