History and heart at 146-year-old red-bricked gem in St Lukes

Charming original features help make this three-storey house a home

7 Roseneath, Military Hill, St. Lukes, Cork

Military Hill, Cork City
€540,000
Size	179sq m (1,927sq ft)
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2
BER	E

There’s a good deal of gratitude for all the work the previous owners didn’t do at this three-storey house near St Luke’s Cross.

While the red-bricked 146-year-old property had been divided into three flats, a wealth of original features were left in situ.

In the late 1980s when the current owner bought here it was in a bit of a sad state, with lightweight partition walls creating awkward divides between rooms. “We had wanted an older house with a bit of character and this one was just perfect for that,” says the lady of the house. “And it was great that the coving, picture rails, dado rails, a cast-iron bath, and old floors were still there so we just did it up bit by bit while trying to keep as much intact as possible.”

Pictures: Chani Anderson

Even when replacing features at 7 Roseneath Villas on Military Rd, they tried to keep in character as much as possible — the red and black floor tiles in the kitchen are newer versions of originals.

Pictures: Chani Anderson

These houses were built to accommodate officers at the nearby barracks. Indeed a Lieutenant Colonel Michael Hogan of this address was posthumously awarded a distinguished service medal in 1968 for his work with the UN force in the Congo.

Evening Echo, Tuesday, June 4, 1968

A ‘for sale’ notice from 1924 could nearly re-run today with only minor changes. It mentions a back garden where “a motor garage could be erected”. That double garage is now in place. It also mentions an “excellent tram service”. Maybe the promised Cork Luas will eventually expand to Cork’s northside?

The Cork Examiner July 5, 1924

The house itself, 350 metres from St Luke’s, is in the middle of a terrace of 12 praised in the National Built Heritage Service’s Buildings of Ireland as “a fine example of domestic architecture of the late-Victorian period.”

A utility room and modern downstairs shower room have been added on behind the kitchen. The old stove alcove is a perfect spot for a modern eight-hob crisp navy gas hob and double oven. There are living rooms in both ground and middle floor front rooms with views out over the spires of Cork City, down to the Marina and across to southside hills. The main bedroom is at the front of the top floor with another good-sized room behind it. Full-size stairs all the way help ensure these don’t feel attic-y.

Upstairs drawing room. Picture: Chani Anderson

Christmas at 7 Roseneath Villas. Picture: supplied by vendor

The house has been a hub for visiting nieces, nephews, and siblings — with a tradition of up to 30 relatives gathering at Christmas. “It’s a brilliant spot, and very handy to be able to walk down the hill to town and get the bus back up. St Luke’s looks great with its tapas bars, pubs, shops, and restaurants. We saw how wonderful it was here 40 years ago and now everyone else can see it too.”

It’s time now to downsize from this four-bed 179sq m €540k home but the aim is to stay in the area if possible.

“There’s a fantastic community here. The neighbours have been so lovely over the years. During covid, one local gentleman used to take all our fish orders and drop our parcels at the gates for us on Fridays. I still have great gatherings of friends here — our ‘kitchen cabinet’.”

Pictures: Chani Anderson

Accessed from the road behind, there’s a double garage at the furthest part of the back garden. There are several little sun traps, and one elevated part could be a great terrace to catch the evening sun.

“I have a soft spot for upstairs drawing rooms and this one is brilliant,” says auctioneer Timothy Sullivan of Timothy Sullivan & Associates. “The whole house is very homely and well done and still has all those old features beautifully intact.”

VERDICT: A buyer will almost certainly look to upgrade its energy rating but will hopefully retain the charming historic soul making this house so special.