A stable living arrangement at €875k Midleton home

With an outdoor sand arena, eight stables, and a son who is now a professional showjumper in the US, the owners of this impressive home outside Midleton invested well.

Walshtown View, Midleton, Cork

Midleton, Cork
€875,000
Size	264sq m (2,842sq ft)
Bedrooms	5
Bathrooms	3
BER	B3

It’s an ideal set-up for someone with more than a passing interest in equine pursuits. For a family of pony-mad children, the floodlit sand arena is a big boon, usable in the evenings after school and in the darker winter, as well as being a secure environment for younger riders to build confidence, practice jumping, or exercise ponies.

As the entire package is spread across 4.5a, there’s plenty of grazing land and enough leeway to have two driveways, one leading to the main house and the other to the stables and sand arena.

The house, at Walshtown View, Walshtown Beg, was built in 2003 and has had the same owners, who are downsizing.

A generously sized property (264 sq m), it has copious amounts of living space, all done to a very high spec, according to selling agent Ed O’Donovan, of Sherry FitzGerald O’Donovan. Kitchen/dining/sunroom are all open-plan, bright, and airy; the kitchen was recently upgraded and comes with a pantry; bathrooms were also redone and paintwork refreshed throughout.

Bedrooms are large doubles and the main has an en suite and walk-in wardrobe. There’s also a large living room, a home office, a utility, and a store room.

Outside is equally organised, with residential/equestrian elements boxed off by hedging, and some very attractive patio and outdoor dining spaces on the grounds.

Mr O’Donovan says there’s a mix of interest, from both “horsey” families and buyers with an interest in a property with land. The house has underfloor heating, which was “unheard of in 2003”. He points out, too, that the fully-floored attic is “an easy conversion possibility”, while non-horsey folk could also “convert the sand arena in to a tennis court”. The property includes a detached, 48sq m double garage. Mr O’Donovan notes the respectable B3 BER, and says the property is “set up for easy installation of solar panels”.

The price is €875,000. Midleton town centre is an eight-minute spin away, while Cork city is a half-hour drive.

VERDICT: High-calibre property that balances country living with modern convenience. A dream set-up for aspiring show jumpers.