Ballycotton, East Cork €375,000 Size 136 sq m (1460 sq ft) Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3 BER B3 BIDDING on No 3 Sea View Park in Ballycotton has been swift. It scorched through the asking price within two weeks of coming to market. From a guide of €375,000, it’s now well above €400,000.
Most of the interest is from those looking for a permanent home, which is a nice vote of confidence in the little fishing village. While quality offerings like the Blackbird pub and Bayview Hotel have long been a boon to the local economy, the village has really come into its own since local man Pearse Flynn began investing in its infrastructure. Having made his money in tech and telecoms, he’s brought it back home, ploughing funds into the likes of the thriving Sea Church live music venue/restaurant, as well as a second restaurant, Cush, on the pier.
Parking in the village has been enhanced by Mr Flynn and there’s a new children’s playground. He’s not finished yet. The word is there’s more in the pipeline.
The bottom line is Ballycotton is no longer just a picturesque bolthole. Holiday home hunters will find themselves increasingly pitted against those looking to put down permanent roots. Against this backdrop, it’s not all that surprising that the bidding on No 3 Sea View Park is currently between parties in search of a longterm home.
Not only is it a good-looking, turn-key property with a favourable B3 energy rating, it does exactly what it says on the tin – it has seaviews in every direction, over Ballycotton Bay. Built 30 years ago, it’s been twice extended, first in 2003 when the owner increased the main living area and added a utility. She revisited the extension in 2018 and added once again to the main living space, turning it into a smashing, fully open-plan living area - kitchen/dining/living room.
“That second extension opened the whole room up. It’s a really good job, designed to take full advantage of the ocean views,” says selling agent Kyle Kennedy of Hegarty Properties. Sea View Park, near Pearse Flynn’s luxury home, is about half way up the hill that leads to Ballycotton’s scenic cliff walk, a 7km return route where wildlife-spotting opportunities are rife.
Peregrine falcons and oystercatchers are regular visitors. Dolphins and whales have been spotted in the waters below the walk during the winter months. Enjoying the walk is a daily possibility for anyone living at No 3 Sea View Park, a two-storey, 136 sq m home, where two of three bedrooms have en suites.
Downstairs, double doors open from the living area onto a rear patio. Beyond it is a low-maintenance, south-facing rear garden. Out front is nicely landscaped, with parking for three cars and some attractive planting along the boundary walls.
The house faces a large, communal green and Mr Kennedy says nothing will ever be built behind it as there’s a pitch and putt course. He says Sea View Park, where house styles vary, is a settled neighbourhood, with some young families, as well as more mature owners. Main Street Ballycotton is just a short stroll downhill, with good hospitality options.
Cork city is about 45 minutes by car. Garryvoe Beach is a seven minute drive away. VERDICT: Tastefully extended turnkey home with super sea views.
Ideal for low maintenance coastal living in an ever-improving village..
