Fennell's Bay, Cork €695,000 Size 171 sq m (1841 sq ft) Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 4 BER B2 WHO could have foretold that fancy-dan homes would one day populate the cliffs above Myrtleville Beach, where once boltholes built from car factory crates held sway? Displaying the kind of architectural vigor we associate more with Kinsale, these good-looking homes are popping up across the adjoining coastal areas of Myrtleville, Fennell’s Bay and Graball Bay. Right above Myrtleville Beach itself, a house that once looked like it might crumble into the sea is now a fully restored, handsome home. A first-floor glass balcony is the perfect spot for the occupants to congratulate themselves on securing ostensibly one of the finest views in the neighbourhood.
The owners of Ocean View in Fennell’s Bay might say that they’ve gone one better. When they built their home in 2011, they included an upper ground floor balcony from which the seascape is dazzling. Made of limestone and partially sheltered by the house design, it’s the masterstroke at Ocean View.
You could sit there all day, watching luxury cruise liners and freight ships tip over the horizon. There’s plenty more to ‘ooh’ and “aah” about in this 171 sq m contemporary home, where finishes are high-end. Selling agent Michael O’Donovan of Savills describes the interior as “a showcase of quality craftsmanship”.
He singles out the fine walnut joinery and solid marble floors of the upper ground floor, along with the vaulted reception area “that exudes grandeur and space”. The staircase is quite eye-catching too. Numerous windows and skylights flood the open-plan kitchen/living/dining area with natural light.
Above it, a mezzanine holds home office possibilities. It makes sense in this split-level home to have daytime accommodation on the upper floor given the vista. Hence, the bedrooms – three generous doubles, each with en suite – are underneath.
Two forward-facing bedrooms have the bonus of direct access to an outdoor patio area. The main bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe. Mr O’Donovan says Ocean View’s exterior “is as impressive” as its interior.
The house is south-facing to the rear where outdoors is a low maintenance mixture of gravel and attractive shrubbery. The front, which does not face seaward, has a large parking area, lawn and more greenery. Ocean View is the kind of quality home that might attract downsizers with money to spare and time to enjoy the lifestyle.
Despite the closure of popular restaurant Bunnyconnellan – put on the market in June last year for €1.9m and later withdrawn from sale – the general Myrtleville/Fennell’s Bay area is buoyant. The beer garden at Pine Lodge is a hotspot on sunny days and Saunatic, a year-round barrel sauna is relaxing the masses four days a week at Myrtleville Beach - one of a number of beaches in the area.
Over in nearby Fountainstown, Happy Place Saunas is also doing a booming trade. For keen sailors, the Royal Cork Yacht Club is close by in Crosshaven; the bustling town of Carrigaline is 12 minutes by car and Cork city is just a 30 minute drive. Mr O’Donovan expects traders up to come looking as well as downsizers, relocators and holiday-home hunters.
The guide price for Ocean View is €695,000. VERDICT : De-luxe home with the bonus of sparkling Ocean Views..
