A €635k dormer near Clonakilty and a €595k converted school in Carlow

Unique properties in West Cork, near Wexford beaches, the town of Leighlinbridge, and Rathfarnham

Top left: 571 Woodview Cottages, in Rathfarnham; Top right: Vernegly, Wexford; Lower right: Rossmore, Clonakilty, West Cork; Lower left: Leighlinbridge, Carlow

Five-bed €635k dormer house on one-acre outside Clonakilty

Clonakilty, West Cork
€635,000
Size	274sq m (3,000sq ft)
Bedrooms	5
Bathrooms	4
BER	B2

Famous for its black pudding and whiskey, as well as its colourful streets, coastal scenery, and sandy beaches, Clonakilty is popular with relocators of all sorts.

For viewings of this five-bed dormer property at Cloncorban, Rossmore, 9km from town, auctioneer Martin Kelleher expects to see returning emigrants, trading-up buyers, and overseas buyers, including some from the US: “We’ve seen quite a number of US viewers in recent times and sold five properties to Americans last year.”

Built in 2005, the dormer, on a one-acre site, was revamped and redecorated three years ago and now has an upgraded, B2 BER.

“It’s a comfortable and spacious family home, which has been finished to a high spec,” says Mr Kelleher.

Generous-sized accommodation includes a modern, tiled kitchen with timber units connected by double doors to a timber-floored living room with a stove. The ground floor has a playroom, a utility, two bedrooms, and a bathroom, as well as a sunroom. The upper level has a bathroom and three bedrooms, including one with an en suite and a balcony above the conservatory.

The property is within a 10-minute drive of Clonakilty and is 13km from Inchydoney Beach

VERDICT: Tranquil and rural, but close to amenities in Clonakilty, it could be a lifestyle choice.

Unique design at spacious €650k Wexford coastal house

Vernegly, Co Wexford
€650,000
Size	247sq m (2660 sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	3
BER	A3

The owners of this contemporary property, at Vernegly, near the Wexford coast, didn’t give it a name, but its unique design and distinctive shape and roof angles make it unmistakable.

Built as a family home by its owners in 2020 — it’s extra spacious (247 sq m), has an A3 BER, and is within 5km of beaches at Bannow Bay, The Long Gap, Blackhall, and Cullenstown.

Quoting €650,000, Maria Lawler, of Savills auctioneers, says this ultra stylish, comfortable, and high-spec home has been attracting the interest of relocators, including some from overseas.

A house of three wings with mono-pitched roofs and a variety of room shapes, it is divided by a central corridor. The main living spaces are in the middle wing, which is the largest and has a big contemporary kitchen/diner at one side and a trapezoidal-shaped living room at the other. The section also has a utility and a bathroom. The second-largest wing has three bedrooms — two at one side share a bathroom and on the other side, a large en-suite master bedroom The third wing has both a home office and an integral garage with electric roller shutters.

On a large, lawned site, it’s 4km from the tiny village of Carrig-on-Bannow, and 28km from Wexford town.

VERDICT: Stylish geometry, good lifestyle.

Edwardian era features at €575k Rathfarnham cottage

Rathfarnham, Dublin
€575,000
Size	75sq ft (807sq m)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	1
BER	D2

Although 571 Woodview Cottages, in Rathfarnham, may date from the 1920s, it has attractive features of the Edwardian era, including granite frontage, a redbrick window surround, and a mock Tudor effect on the front gable. Because it’s end of terrace, it is more decorative than its mid-terrace neighbours and is prettier. Renovated by successive owners, the two-bed is new to the market for €575,000.

“The current owner redecorated, refloored, and turned two reception rooms in to one,” says auctioneer Dan Steen, of DNG Rathfarnham. Previous owners fitted sash-style double-glazed windows and gas heating. The house has a timber-floored living/dining room, a small kitchen with modern cream-shaker-style units, and a skylight.

Upstairs there’s a bathroom with a skylight, as well as two timber-floored bedrooms with mirrored Sliderobes.

On a corner site, the house has lawn at the front and side, and a paved garden at the rear. In a cul de sac of 32 cottages next to a green area, it’s close to the River Dodder and Bushy Park and is a 10-minute walk from Rathfarnham shopping centre. Recent sales have been of smaller mid-terrace houses, but another end-of-terrace house, No 601, sold for €525,000 in 2019.

VERDICT: A charming old-world cottage with attractively modernised interior.

Modern two-bed €595k property — with an art studio — at former Carlow school house 

Leighlinbridge, County Carlow
€595,000
Size	172 sq m (1850 sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	3
BER	A3

The old school house at Rathvinden, Leighlinbridge, in Carlow has been transformed into a modern two-bed property with an A3 BER and a separate art studio.

Selling agent Marcus McCormack, of DNG McCormack, says the 1900s-built schoolhouse was transformed 20 years ago. Previous owners added a sizable extension, fitted triple-glazed German windows, and air-to-water heating and also put in a contemporary kitchen. Two years ago, the current owner added a 60 sq m steel- and block-built shed for use as an art studio, and a smaller steel shed, which is equipped as a gym.

Inside the much-extended property there’s a 75sq m kitchen/diner, which has white units with blue quartz worktops and a dining space with a huge set of patio doors. There’s also a large timber-floored sitting room with a contemporary electric fire, as well as a utility, a guest WC, and two tiled en-suite bedrooms.

Occupying a 0.75-acre site, Rathvinden Cottage has a large wildflower garden as well as a patio, a lawned area, and a more formal flower bed.

The property is a short walk from Leighlinbridge, a small town with a 14th-century bridge and a castle ruin, and 12km from Carlow

VERDICT: Offers rural tranquillity and a high level of comfort.