200-year-old gem with generous grounds on Blackrock Road for €650k

The 1808 property retains period features, generous gardens and decades of family memories, including an unusual four-legged resident

Oakville, Blackrock Road, Cork. Pictures: Larry Cummins

Blackrock Rd
€650,000
Size	150sq m (1,615sq ft)
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	3
BER	F

What’s better than a Blackrock Road four-bed family home? Maybe one sitting on quarter of an acre of leafy gardens with lots of mature trees?

Oakville, near Ballintemple village, had been since 1920 part of a set, along with adjoining Laurelville and nearby Ivyville. The Kavanagh family moved into what had been their grandfather’s end-of-terrace home, with a south-facing back garden, in 1971.

The family of seven — Marise and Noel Kavanagh and their five children — made some changes to the property, which had been built in 1808. “The house had steps up to it from the road and my dad, with help from all of us, created off-street parking for a couple of cars, which was a game-changer,” says one son.

The family made excellent use of the extensive back garden, which widens out behind neighbouring gardens to create a more ‘secret’ hangout space.

“We had non-stop buddies in the house or out the back, playing football, building camps, or fixing up motorbikes. My mother was very, very patient.”

Marise and Noel are now sadly deceased, but three of their adult children — as well as grandchildren — still live in the area, with siblings in Naples and LA. The house is now on the market for €650k.

There are memories of many birthdays and family gatherings and games nights: “My parents loved playing cards, and the house was full of laughter and slagging on those nights. There would be a big fire in the front room, with seats built in on either side of it. We would sit on those until we got too hot on one side and had to swap with the person opposite.”

Plenty of vintage or original features are still visible in the house, including cornicing, fireplaces, attractive Victorian encaustic geometric tilework, tile wall murals, wooden shutters, and an original stone wall (now sheltered inside a sun room).

Of course, there were numerous pets here, too — including Skippy the donkey who lived in the back garden in late 1970s/early 80s and even, sometimes, took a little wander along the Blackrock Road.

“Our mother was involved in absolutely everything, from Meals on Wheels, to line dancing, yoga, or bridge — she loved having people over and often hosted garden events for charity.” The large garden was also the go-to spot for occasions such as a grandchild’s christening party with a marquee and at least 100 guests.

The location, near the entrances to the more modern Janeville and Lindville estates, means it’s on the 202 bus route and is also handy for local schools, including Crab Lane, Beaumont, Blackrock, Douglas, and the city centre.

Oakville’s convenient location and generous grounds come in for praise from agent Timothy Sullivan, of Timothy Sullivan & Associates: “Oakville has an attractive facade, but what makes it unique is the most unexpected and exceptionally spacious, private, south-facing gardens.”

Like many other original homes on the Blackrock Road, the house itself (with an F energy rating), even pre-dates the Marina.

The dredging and planting work, which helped create the current Marina and Atlantic Pond, was continuing right into the mid-1800s.

Now the Marina Park and Promenade is a 1.8km long, hugely popular amenity space with gardens, pathways, wildflowers, fountains, and picnic tables.

And design teams are due to be appointed to look at extending the riverside Marina walk to Kennedy Quay, so this whole area is more than thriving.

Closer to home, you’ve got a grocery store, two bars, a pharmacy and a cafe/deli all within about 200 metres, with further gastropubs and shops on the way to Blackrock village itself.

VERDICT: There are good bones here and a super garden to work with, so factor a decent architect into your budget and you could have a very desirable Blackrock Road base.