House of the Week: €385k hidden hero at Dillon's Cross

Off-street parking and a 'secret' garden are two of the pleasant surprises at this three-bed bungalow off the Old Youghal Road

The Bungalow, Dillon's Cross. Pictures: John Finn

Dillon’s Cross, Cork city
€385,000
Size	139 sq m (1,496 sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	1
BER	E1

Anyone familiar with the narrow stretch of Old Youghal Road between Dillon’s Cross and Gordon’s Hill will know that it’s murder for parking. Just two houses on the hill have the scope to park off-street and the security of closing the gates behind them.

The same two houses are detached — notable in a neighbourhood dominated by tightly packed terraces. Why these properties — along with one other nearby — have larger sites may be down to how long they’ve been there. When the owner of the bungalow featured here drafted in an architect to help with remodeling the property, his research indicated that her home was the only one on the road in 1840.

Its olde world charm was a key appeal for artist Elaine Barry when herself and her Philadelphia-born husband Seán Musick purchased the property around 2020. Elaine was familiar with the area from her days as an art student in the Crawford, when she lived in the St Luke’s area.

“I knew the parking situation, so a big thing for me was being able to pull in off the street. Even the simplicity of being able to unload the shopping in the drive after coming home from Dunnes Stores in Ballyvolane. Having parking was like gold dust,” Elaine says.

That aside, she was captivated by the house itself: “It felt like a cottage in the country. It reminded me of my granny’s house in Co Meath, only bigger."

The house is a bit like a Matryoshka doll where each wooden figure opens up to reveal another, except in this case, it’s the number of rooms that will surprise you. It looks diminutive from the outside, but inside there’s a long, bright, open-plan kitchen/dining/lounge area, a separate sitting room with original wooden panelling and fireplace, three double bedrooms, of which one is exceptionally generous, and a main bathroom with walk-in shower. High ceilings are a feature throughout, with the exception of the kitchen area, which was rebuilt after they bought the property.

“The house had been extended over the years but it was in a poor state when we bought it. Floors had to be dug up and insulation put down and we had to put on a new roof,” Elaine says.

Internal insulation was also installed, as well as electric underfloor heating and the house was re-wired and replumbed. A wall was knocked to open up the kitchen/dining/living area, and new roof lights were installed. It’s a bright property now, an artful mix of character and contemporary living.

“One of the things I love about it is that it’s a bit unconventional, a bit quirky,” the owner says.

Those who view it will be genuinely surprised that this L-shaped bungalow has so much to offer. You might imagine from the roadside that there’s no back garden. There is, and it’s decent: Big enough for a generous home office, patio, lawn, and a myrtle tree with striking, cinnamon-coloured bark. It’s a pleasant view from the two back bedrooms.

Selling this 1,500 sq ft property is Johanna Murphy of Johanna Murphy & Sons. She points out potential to expand into the garage; or to create a more formal structure out the kitchen annexe, which currently doubles up as a utility and art studio. An en suite could be added too, she says, if the main bedroom was reconfigured. The location is a highlight, adds the agent.

“You are a five-minute walk from St Luke’s Cross and just 15 minutes from MacCurtain St in Cork city. Moreover the beautiful Glen Amenity Park is close by.”

Ms Murphy is guiding at €385,000.

VERDICT: A home that keeps on giving.