€275k Old Schoolhouse is the kind of project Harrison Gardner would love

Dating to 1847, this partially renovated property near Midleton offers light-filled living space and a historic restoration opportunity

Pretty setting for the Old Schoolhouse, in Lisgoold

Lisgoold, Co Cork
€275,000
Size	120 sq m (1300 sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2
BER	F

THE Old Schoolhouse, a partially renovated property less than 10km from the East Cork town of Midleton, is the kind of project tailor-made for TV series like The Great House Revival or Build Your Own Home.

Dating to 1847, it originally consisted of two large halls or classrooms, bookended by small entrance lobbies.

Primary school kids entered at one end, and older children at the other. A central supporting wall housed a large, shared fireplace, and in the winter months, children were expected to bring a lump of coal each day to stoke the fire.

Harrison Gardner, and right, exterior of the home he shares with his wife Erin McClure and their two daughters.

In the 1990s, it was acquired as a derelict building and renovated by the current owners, who lived there happily before turning it into a rental in the late 2000s.

The dramatic open-plan living space, with vaulted ceiling and south-facing Velux windows, floods the main room with natural light.

Partially renovated, more to do

French doors lead to the front garden, which is enclosed by mature trees.

The owners’ favourite features were the peaceful setting, plentiful natural light, vaulted main living area, and access to the river at the bottom of the garden.

In 2019, the house was vacated and renovated again, with a new boiler, electrics, and bathroom, but due to the Covid-19 lockdown, the house fell into disrepair as its owners were now living overseas.

Up for sale with Kyle Kennedy of Kennedy Estate Agents, he says buyers will be able to avail themselves of the vacant property grant, worth up to €50,000.

Mr Kennedy, who is guiding at €275,000, believes it will appeal to people “living in housing estates in Midleton, looking for a good deal more space and an opportunity to do something truly original with this very historic property."

The Old Schoolhouse is a 10-minute drive from Midleton town, and Lisgoold village is 1km away.

VERDICT: An exciting prospect for a buyer keen on a project.