1840s-built East Cork townhouse updated with high spec luxury

Meticulously renovated three-storey home blends period character, contemporary design and clever hidden features overlooking Cobh’s historic harbourfront

No. 6 The Mall in Cobh has a guide price of €595k. Pictures: raazphotography.com

Cobh, Co Cork
€595,000
Size	110sq m (1,184sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	3
BER	B2

Appropriately enough for this time of year, there are ‘Easter eggs’ galore at this three-storey Cobh home — but it’s Easter eggs in the gaming or movie buff sense of a hidden surprise or extra feature included for the user to find and enjoy.

There are also plenty more noticeable upgrades at No 6 The Mall, on the east end of Cobh, such as the downstairs front window which opens up like a door perfectly showcasing the sea view.

Built in the 1840s, there’s a full circle element to the address here — The Cove of Cork, or just Cove, became Queenstown in 1849 when Britain’s Queen Victoria toured Ireland. And then in 1920 the name reverted to Cobh.

And this house itself has been through various identities over the past century and a half too — the row is recorded on the 1901 and 1911 Census as having tenements, while this particular house was down as a private residence, belonging to a fisherman and his fishermen sons.

The Cork Examiner Friday Evening edition July 6, 1866 — spirit licences considered and granted to applicants with an address at 6 The Mall, Queenstown

Now, thanks to more than a year of work by Adrian McCullagh-Lynch of Urban Spaces Ltd it’s a very high-spec boutique townhouse.

Some of his modifications and upgrades include touchlights on the stairs, floor-to-ceiling magnet-closing doors including a mirrored door to the downstairs bathroom and a large rooflight in the kitchen with mirrored sides.

A discreet bar, concealed behind cabinetry downstairs, adds an element of ‘speakeasy’ glamour and mature charm to the living room.

This combination of playful and polished continues throughout the house — in the sleek kitchen Adrian points out the extra deep worktop surrounding the sink: “This increased countertop depth is intentionally scaled so your line of sight is perfectly aligned with the sea view across the living area when you’re standing here.” Chores were never so relaxing.

Details such as no skirtings or door architraves — and shadow gap profiles on doors, ceilings and floors [where it looks like walls are floating a centimetre or so off the ground] give a clean look.

Less visible touches — but no less handy — include the push panel set in the bathroom tiles which opens to reveal pipes and ductwork for any maintenance. And likewise a minimalist box in the downstairs hall and a large hinged mirror upstairs give access to services.

Discreet services panel access for maintenance

“This is a rare opportunity to own a beautifully presented home in one of Cobh’s most iconic waterfront locations, with stunning harbour views and elegant interiors,” notes Johanna Murphy of Johanna Murphy & Sons.

She recently sold neighbouring No 4 The Mall on this row — for €595k according to the Property Price Register.

Here there are three bedrooms: two on the middle floor, while the main bedroom, with its clear glass door, en suite and walk-in wardrobe, takes up the entire top floor.

Touches such as a seating alcove outside the main bedroom add to the boutique vibe.

And there’s a built-in hat-tip too to the house’s history and the locality: while renovating, Adrian came across some older features, one of which was a large section of wood. He treated and polished it up and it’s now installed as a sculptural feature shelf below a minimalist double microcement sink upstairs.

Repurposed wood from Marlogue Woods in Cobh

“I was told this wood came from Marlogue Woods here in Cobh so it was lovely to be able to include it here,” he says.

Some buyers may be interested in Urban Space’s own building pedigree: Adrian, 35, from Clonakilty has recently renovated properties in Youghal and Clonakilty. And the lure of Cobh seems to have been quite compelling as he’s not saying goodbye to the busy coastal town just yet, he’s getting stuck into renovating another house in the town.

While the view out the front windows might be unmistakably Cork there is a certain ‘holiday’ ambience once you’re ensconced inside — perhaps due to the eclectic mix of decor style and fittings which have been sourced from Spain, Poland, and Ukraine, to name but a few spots.

“I have a really professional team working with me and some of them had previously developed luxury homes in Ukraine. They — and I must give one of them, he’s called Ruslan, particular mention — have introduced some really great high-end features and finishes such as the seamless extractor fan unit and the big
microcement double sink.”

Secluded roof patio to the rear of 6 The Mall, Cobh

Johanna Murphy expects the primary interest to come from outside Cobh and indeed may well involve an overseas buyer. But located as it is at a quieter end of Cobh steeped in history — very near to the Titanic Memorial Garden — it will attract local interest too.

VERDICT: Hidden gems and high spec luxury make this Cobh boutique townhouse quite special.

CORK BUSINESS

A collection of the latest business articles and business analysis from Cork.