Two seaside apartments, one great view in Fountainstown — all for €565k

Unpack a whole new lifestyle in Fountainstown with this pair of bright, beachy duplexes just 20km from Cork city... built to replace a former Ford box holiday home

Sunview, Fountainstown, Co. Cork.

Fountainstown, Co. Cork
€565,000
Size	148sq m (1,593sq ft)
Bedrooms	2+2
Bathrooms	1+1
BER	C

The only thing that could be better than a duplex with a sea view and which is only 20km from Cork city is two duplexes.

Sunview, in Fountainstown, is a beachside home divided into two apartments.

Originally a ‘Ford box home’, this detached property was made from crates salvaged from the Ford factory on the Marina; the crates were used to ship motor parts over from Dagenham. One of the most popular reuses for the crates was as holiday homes dotted along the Cork coast, in places such as Crosshaven, Myrtleville, and Fountainstown.

Ronnie Twomey owns one of these duplexes now, next door to her sister, Annmarie. She says: “My dad, Paddy, and mum, Pat (Walsh), ran a busy butcher shop on Shandon St — we couldn’t get away for longer holidays, so buying a holiday home in Fountainstown in the early ’60s worked really well for us.”

The family of two adults and four children were joined by friends and cousins throughout the summer: “My cousin used to come over from England and stay for the summer. She loved it and is actually back here now, too, living at Myrtleville.”

The house is tucked away off the main road, with the sea to the front and 90 year old Fountainstown Tennis Club to the back.

Interior of a Ford box home. File picture

The Ford box holiday home in Fountainstown before it was knocked and replaced with two duplexes

Two of the Twomey daughters opted for a full renovation of the holiday home in 2004. Pictured above is “our little summer bungalow the day before the builders came in and flattened it... so many memories all in that little wooden house”.

P Twomey butcher shop 18 Shandon Street. Pictured: Tom Twomey, Paddy Twomey Jnr  Maureen Barrett and Paddy Barry

The result is a modern, beachy, fresh pair of duplexes that have been ‘flipped’ to put the living areas on the upper floors and a sweet garden and patio to the rear. “It’s been brilliant living here, and myself and my sister can see each other when we want to and we can have our separate homes, too,” says Ronnie.

The sisters are planning to move to adjoining, single-level homes on the coast.

So now the ‘little Ford box bungalow’ is a set of apartments featuring the same layout — two bedrooms and bathroom on the ground floor, with an open-plan kitchen/ living area overhead — and the pair, with solid walls between, are priced at €565k.

Both duplexes have been decorated differently. Annmarie is a ceramicist with an artistic flair notes Ronnie.

The unique nature of the property is highlighted by David Donovan, of Savills, who says it’s got super versatility: “You could have family members, or indeed friends, buying this together as a primary residence or it could be a holiday and investment opportunity. A property like this, with gorgeous panoramic views, too, really doesn’t come around too often.”

There’s a bus stop nearby that runs to the city via Carrigaline and you’re only 5km from Crosshaven, with plenty of other beaches — Myrtleville, Weavers Point, Fennells Bay — nearby, too.

This pair of apartments with happy New England-style seaside decor have mains water, a bio cycle waste water unit, central heating and internet access.

VERDICT: Seaside life in a commutable location — this pair of airy and bright apartments is ready for a whole crop of new memories.