Farran house isn't far at all from recreation options

Wake up to the stillness of Farran Hill, and spend weekends enjoying the woods and fairways right at your doorstep

Oak Lodge, Farran Hill, Ovens. Pictures: Jim Rocks Photography

Oak Lodge, Farran Hill, Ovens
€895,000
Size	329sq m (3,541sq ft)
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	3
BER	C1

Rowing, hiking, woodland strolls, golf... yes it seems odd when you’ve a house this spacious and inviting to be planning things to draw you away from it. But it would be a shame not to make good use of all the Ovens area has to offer.

So heading out from Oak Lodge on Farran Hill in Ovens you’ve got Farran Forest Park and the National Rowing Centre a five-minute, 3.5km drive away, and you’re a seven-minute 6km spin from Lee Valley Golf Club. Oh, and a six-minute drive from Éire Óg GAA club too.

Farran Hill rises up off the main N22 putting this four-bed detached property about halfway between Cork City and Macroom — with Ballincollig a handy commutable or shopping and socialising distance too.

Built in 2010 this 3,535 sq ft home is all about comfort and maximising those serene views. From the vaulted ceilings of the entrance hallway to the bright open-plan downstairs kitchen/ dining/living area, you can see different aspects of the tranquil 0.3acre gardens as well as trees and fields beyond. And those south-facing front gardens are worth spending time surveying — with their abundance of blossom trees, tree ferns, and shrubs creating a verdant and private haven to enjoy.

And even when the weather isn’t playing fair it’s cosy inside thanks to triple-glazed windows and doors and underfloor heating onon both ground and first floors. Thermal panels give energy-efficient hot water.

The current owners are downsizing a moderate distance away says Laura Pratt of Lisney SIR, adding that this home is attracting a mix of international and local queries including people looking to come ‘home’ from the UK and Europe.

“It’s a very warm house, far more so than the BER might have you initially think,” she notes.

Upstairs the main bedroom has an en suite bathroom with a Hansgrohe shower and a Creative Designs walk-in wardrobe. This bedroom is across the large hallway/ landing from the rest of the upstairs, giving a real private retreat feel.

One other bedroom has an en suite bathroom too and the other two bedrooms are plumbed for bathrooms.

A playroom downstairs on the east side of the house and next to the bathroom could also be converted to a fifth bedroom or an office.

There is a Stira to the attic which is fully floored and extends the entire length of the first floor — its impressive size and array of beams would put you in mind of an ark at first glance. Suitable for storage, it’s far more likely to be claimed by tween or teen householders for a hangout or gaming area, which might well prove to be an all-round win.

Some more practical things to note: there’s an electric gate to the front, a Steeltech shed to the rear; Oak Lodge has oil central heating and there’s mains water and a septic tank on the grounds.

Back inside, the open plan kitchen has plenty of storage and a Rangemaster cooker and a large island. There are double french doors off the dining area bringing you to the patio and garden. There is more storage in the utility room which has an integrated freezer and a granite countertop with a sink and window looking out over the back garden.

The adjoining living area has a wall-mounted Gazco electric fire featuring a light control setting — so you can easily switch up the ambiance depending on the situation.

Prospective buyers with children (or prospective children) will be glad to hear there’s a co-ed primary school at Farran less than a kilometre away and several secondary schools in Ballincollig.

VERDICT: Activity and adventure opportunities not too far away and tranquility and downtime at home — Oak Lodge in Farran has it covered.