Property 28-01-2012

TERAPROOF:User:joannedillaneDate:26/01/2012Time:13:02:32Edition:28/01/2012PropertyXP2801Page:1 Zone:XP1

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PLUS • TRADING UP • STYLISH HOMES • GET THE LOOK • ANTIQUES • STEP BY STEP DIY

Historic North Mall House, and its great interiors,may now revert to a private home

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PropertyProperty& Interiors

28.01.2012

Mall Measures


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2 IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 28.01.2012 IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 28.01.2012 3

PROPERTY

CONTENTS4 TRADING UP

A Killarney housesite has greatviews, but needsscreening.

6/7 STARTERSA Kenmare pad, ora Bishopstowntownhouse? Eachhas pristine interiors.

5 POTENTIALNorth Mall Housecould make ahome of exceptionalfinery.

8 COVER STORYA famine cottageupgrade plus 30 wildacres by Goleen istop drawer.

12 INTERIORS14 DIY19 HOME ECONOMICS20 IN THE GARDEN22 ANTIQUES

HOUSE OFTHEWEEK

J ust about everyone who bought into The Spiresscheme in Innishannon, Co Cork, had a few bobleft over for landscaping — and that’s an extrainvestment that keeps paying dividends.

Beneficiaries are the families who live here, as well asvendors if and when the time comes to sell up andmove out — the place is ageing very well, and all thegrowth only adds to the privacy of the sites, many ofthem around a quarter of anacre.The Spires was build in the

mid-1990s by local manFachtna Crowley and thedormers have always beenpopular trading-up buys.The interior of No 19 marks

it out as a bit different thanksto its freshness, it clearly gotextra investment and a veryrecent makeover since the 15or so years since it was firstbuilt.It’s all light and fresh inside, well decorated, with

some attractive features plus a centrepiece hallstaircase with open treads and a central steel spine.Selling agent for No 19 is Brendan Bowe, with offices

both in Bandon town and in Ballincollig and as helives locally, he knows the hold Innishannon has forfamilies looking for a quiet trading up location,mixing quality village life with easy access to the sea,the River Bandon, on then to West Cork, and back toCork city’s suburbs and airport just 25km away.Internally, No 19 has a very good lower-level layout

in particular, with three ground-floor reception rooms,

including living room with fireplace, separate diningroom with stone chimney breast, plus hobby room anda garden room, each with access to the back gardensThere’s also a large Shaker kitchen/dining room

with utility off, a guest WC and kitchen units are intimber as are the worktops, Floors are oak, otherhardwoods, and ceramic tiling, and some rooms havelow-level panelling/wainscoting. The feel, suggests the

auctioneer, is of a bespokehome.Overhead are four

bedrooms, one (the masterbed) is 22’ by 14’ at max,with en-suite off withoversized shower tray. Themain bathroom, meanwhile,is, done to five-star hotelstandard, says the agent.Externally the house’s

walls are low-maintenance,a mix of dash and stone to

the front, all dash to the back and the grounds aroundit are landscaped, with private parking to the front.The design has dormer windows to the front, plus astone façade front gable, with Veluxes only to therear.Behind, there’s a mix of dedicated mixed-use areas,

from trampoline to lawn, shed to sun terrace, with lowsheltering walls around a corner terrace.

VERDICT: Prices at The Spires are back to early 2000slevels, and after all the latest work done here, No 19gives trading-up buyers the chance to move into avery successful scheme, with few re-sales.

Location: Innishannon, CorkPrice: €455,000Size: 224 sq m (2,400 sq ft)Bedrooms: 4BER rating: PendingBroadband: YesBest feature: Interiors just redone

Tommy Barker reports

PROPERTY EDITORTommy Barker, 021 [email protected]

PROPERTY ADVERTISINGMarguerite Stafford, 021 [email protected]

INTERIORS ADVERTISINGGer Duggan, 021 [email protected]

INTERIORS EDITORIALSue O’Connor, 021 [email protected]

PROPERTYLocation: Blackrock, CorkPrice: €235,000Size: 116 sq m (1,254 sq ft)Bedrooms: 4BER rating: C2Broadband: YesBest feature: Well finished inside

Gate Lodge home has lots of appealNo 68 is in smart, move-in condition with four bedrooms, Tommy Barker reports

THERE’s a good deal on offer at 68 Gate Lodge,out beyond Blackrock Castle in Cork, with abracing, peninsular perimeter walk aroundthis inner harbour spot. No 68 is one of the

better value market offerings in this popular O’Brienand O’Flynn scheme, with attention paid by theowners to every part internally, as well as the backgarden and on, up into the attic also.So says agentAnn O’Mahony of Sherry FitzGerald, seeking €235,000for the 1,250 sq ft end-of-terrace house in a good spot,and with southerly aspected back garden, set near thefar end of the sizeable Gate Lodge scheme.It fits a lot in: two reception rooms, interlinked by

double doors, front to back, plus a 19’ deep by 8’ widekitchen/dining room with terracotta-tiled floor. Halltiles are sort of retro-look, polychrome mix like you’dsee in Victorian hallways.

The main living room is a nice space, about 17’ by11’ with a cast iron fireplace with gas supply, andthere’s a ground floor guest WC. Added to the mainbath upstairs and a master bed en suite, there’s threebathrooms in all, not a bad range of facilities for afour-bed (two single sizes) which still weighs in underthe 1,300 sq ft mark.For those needing a few more square feet to spread

their possessions around, the fact that the attic hasbeen floored, slabbed out, plastered and painted withVelux window and Stira access opens up storage andother options.

VERDICT: Smart, move-in condition, with a goodsouth/west back garden aspect and side access. All itneeds is a bit of front garden planting to raise the‘kerb appeal’. Go see.

Property Market SeminarBudapest

Seminars at 6pmand8pm

Tuesday, 31st of JanuaryThe Clarion Hotel, Cork City

�What do the latest economic and politicaldevelopments in Hungary mean for landlor

�Get up to date information on the Budapesproperty market, how much is your propert

�Info on mortgage and tax regulations

�Find out how Tower can help you in rental,management and tax

Experts on site to answer your questions

Register attendance today.Visit www.towerbudapest.com/seminar orphone our Dublin office on01 234 2517Seminars also inGalwayGHotel onWe1st Feb, andDublinBurlingtonHotel on Thu 2nd Feb.

��

��

, sales,

developments in Hungary mean for landlords?

Get up to date information on the Budapestproperty market, how much is your property worth?

Property Market Seminar



property market, how much is your property worth?

��

��

��

Village Green House, Douglas West, Cork

Price: €85,000

For further details/viewings contact our Douglas OfficeMichael Creedon T: 021 4897300

ONLY

3

APARTM

ENTS

REMAINING

Drurys Mews Apartments, Midleton, Co. Cork• All apartments have 2 double bedrooms with built-in cupboards;

the master bedroom has a large en-suite.

• Fully furnished to a very high standard, integrated kitchens & bathrooms tiled floor to ceiling,timber flooring and leather sofas.

• Accessed from the ground floor parking by lift or stairs, all have their own balconies.

• GFCH and a utility room plumbed for 2 appliances.

• Designated parking space, although everything is within walking distance.

www.dngcreedon.ie


XP1 - V1 XP1 - V1


PROPERTY

CONTENTS4 TRADING UP

A Killarney housesite has greatviews, but needsscreening.

6/7 STARTERSA Kenmare pad, ora Bishopstowntownhouse? Eachhas pristine interiors.

5 POTENTIALNorth Mall Housecould make ahome of exceptionalfinery.

8 COVER STORYA famine cottageupgrade plus 30 wildacres by Goleen istop drawer.

12 INTERIORS14 DIY19 HOME ECONOMICS20 IN THE GARDEN22 ANTIQUES

HOUSE OFTHEWEEK

J ust about everyone who bought into The Spiresscheme in Innishannon, Co Cork, had a few bobleft over for landscaping — and that’s an extrainvestment that keeps paying dividends.

Beneficiaries are the families who live here, as well asvendors if and when the time comes to sell up andmove out — the place is ageing very well, and all thegrowth only adds to the privacy of the sites, many ofthem around a quarter of anacre.The Spires was build in the

mid-1990s by local manFachtna Crowley and thedormers have always beenpopular trading-up buys.The interior of No 19 marks

it out as a bit different thanksto its freshness, it clearly gotextra investment and a veryrecent makeover since the 15or so years since it was firstbuilt.It’s all light and fresh inside, well decorated, with

some attractive features plus a centrepiece hallstaircase with open treads and a central steel spine.Selling agent for No 19 is Brendan Bowe, with offices

both in Bandon town and in Ballincollig and as helives locally, he knows the hold Innishannon has forfamilies looking for a quiet trading up location,mixing quality village life with easy access to the sea,the River Bandon, on then to West Cork, and back toCork city’s suburbs and airport just 25km away.Internally, No 19 has a very good lower-level layout

in particular, with three ground-floor reception rooms,

including living room with fireplace, separate diningroom with stone chimney breast, plus hobby room anda garden room, each with access to the back gardensThere’s also a large Shaker kitchen/dining room

with utility off, a guest WC and kitchen units are intimber as are the worktops, Floors are oak, otherhardwoods, and ceramic tiling, and some rooms havelow-level panelling/wainscoting. The feel, suggests the

auctioneer, is of a bespokehome.Overhead are four

bedrooms, one (the masterbed) is 22’ by 14’ at max,with en-suite off withoversized shower tray. Themain bathroom, meanwhile,is, done to five-star hotelstandard, says the agent.Externally the house’s

walls are low-maintenance,a mix of dash and stone to

the front, all dash to the back and the grounds aroundit are landscaped, with private parking to the front.The design has dormer windows to the front, plus astone façade front gable, with Veluxes only to therear.Behind, there’s a mix of dedicated mixed-use areas,

from trampoline to lawn, shed to sun terrace, with lowsheltering walls around a corner terrace.

VERDICT: Prices at The Spires are back to early 2000slevels, and after all the latest work done here, No 19gives trading-up buyers the chance to move into avery successful scheme, with few re-sales.

Location: Innishannon, CorkPrice: €455,000Size: 224 sq m (2,400 sq ft)Bedrooms: 4BER rating: PendingBroadband: YesBest feature: Interiors just redone

Tommy Barker reports

PROPERTY EDITORTommy Barker, 021 [email protected]

PROPERTY ADVERTISINGMarguerite Stafford, 021 [email protected]

INTERIORS ADVERTISINGGer Duggan, 021 [email protected]

INTERIORS EDITORIALSue O’Connor, 021 [email protected]

PROPERTYLocation: Blackrock, CorkPrice: €235,000Size: 116 sq m (1,254 sq ft)Bedrooms: 4BER rating: C2Broadband: YesBest feature: Well finished inside

Gate Lodge home has lots of appealNo 68 is in smart, move-in condition with four bedrooms, Tommy Barker reports

THERE’s a good deal on offer at 68 Gate Lodge,out beyond Blackrock Castle in Cork, with abracing, peninsular perimeter walk aroundthis inner harbour spot. No 68 is one of the

better value market offerings in this popular O’Brienand O’Flynn scheme, with attention paid by theowners to every part internally, as well as the backgarden and on, up into the attic also.So says agentAnn O’Mahony of Sherry FitzGerald, seeking €235,000for the 1,250 sq ft end-of-terrace house in a good spot,and with southerly aspected back garden, set near thefar end of the sizeable Gate Lodge scheme.It fits a lot in: two reception rooms, interlinked by

double doors, front to back, plus a 19’ deep by 8’ widekitchen/dining room with terracotta-tiled floor. Halltiles are sort of retro-look, polychrome mix like you’dsee in Victorian hallways.

The main living room is a nice space, about 17’ by11’ with a cast iron fireplace with gas supply, andthere’s a ground floor guest WC. Added to the mainbath upstairs and a master bed en suite, there’s threebathrooms in all, not a bad range of facilities for afour-bed (two single sizes) which still weighs in underthe 1,300 sq ft mark.For those needing a few more square feet to spread

their possessions around, the fact that the attic hasbeen floored, slabbed out, plastered and painted withVelux window and Stira access opens up storage andother options.

VERDICT: Smart, move-in condition, with a goodsouth/west back garden aspect and side access. All itneeds is a bit of front garden planting to raise the‘kerb appeal’. Go see.

Property Market SeminarBudapest


Tuesday, 31st of JanuaryThe Clarion Hotel, Cork City

�What do the latest economic and politicaldevelopments in Hungary mean for landlor

�Get up to date information on the Budapesproperty market, how much is your propert

�Info on mortgage and tax regulations

�Find out how Tower can help you in rental,management and tax

Experts on site to answer your questions

Register attendance today.Visit www.towerbudapest.com/seminar orphone our Dublin office on01 234 2517Seminars also inGalwayGHotel onWe1st Feb, andDublinBurlingtonHotel on Thu 2nd Feb.

��

��

, sales,


Get up to date information on the Budapestproperty market, how much is your property worth?

Property Market Seminar



property market, how much is your property worth?

��

��

��

Village Green House, Douglas West, Cork

Price: €85,000

For further details/viewings contact our Douglas OfficeMichael Creedon T: 021 4897300

ONLY

3

APARTM

ENTS

REMAINING

Drurys Mews Apartments, Midleton, Co. Cork• All apartments have 2 double bedrooms with built-in cupboards;

the master bedroom has a large en-suite.

• Fully furnished to a very high standard, integrated kitchens & bathrooms tiled floor to ceiling,timber flooring and leather sofas.

• Accessed from the ground floor parking by lift or stairs, all have their own balconies.

• GFCH and a utility room plumbed for 2 appliances.

• Designated parking space, although everything is within walking distance.

www.dngcreedon.ie

TERAPROOF:User:sueoconnorDate:26/01/2012Time:12:36:18Edition:28/01/2012PropertyXP2801Page:4 Zone:XP1

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TRADING UPPROPERTY

KILLARNEY, KERRY €475,000

ROCHESTOWN, CORK€340,000Sq m: 146.8 Bedrooms: 4BER rating: Pending Broadband: Yes

The extra, third floor of this house typeat the Dewberry section of Mount OvalVillage in Cork means this slenderhouse type fits in four bedrooms in all.A 2012 market offering, and detached,

No 15 Dewberry has a €340,000 priceguide via agents Sherry FitzGerald whosay the Mount Oval scheme is very wellserviced and the location almost self-contained, with sports facilities,woodland walks nearby, and a nationalschool as well adjacent.No 15 has a front living room with

cast iron fireplace, a smallish kitchenbehind linked to a dining room, anddown a few steps to the back is a familyroom with garden access.The middle level has two en suite

bedrooms, and the top floor has twomore bedrooms, making for four in all,plus yet another bathroom.Overall condition is good.(By way of sheer contrast, also

currently bid to the sort of sum soughthere is the 5,000 sq ft derelict Victorianfarmhouse plus circular derelict gatelodge, on eight acres out theRochestown Road towards Passage West.Featuring in these pages as House of

the Week at the start of this month withAndy Donoghue of Casey and Kingstonauctioneers, it has had dozens ofviewings, and is currently under offerat €330,000 from a low €300,000 AMV.)

VERDICT: 15 Dewberry is good to go.

DOUGLAS ROAD, CORK€235,000Sq m: 140 (1,500 sq ft) Bedrooms: 5BER rating: Pending Broadband: Yes

There’s almost a long acre behind 3Laurelwood, a main Douglas Road, CorkCity century-old, original terracedhouse — well, it seems to go on for ever.There’s over 150’ length of slender

greenery, home to a copse of 50’ tallpine trees (free firewood!) whichvisually block just how far the groundsextend to. That distant boundary is thehigh, limestone wall of St Finbarr’sHospital, and residents of this terrace offive Laurelwood houses share rear caraccess to their long back gardens from alock-up gate on the main road.No 3 is in very original condition (ie,

read ‘dated,’ but it has beenunderpinned with drains work done)and comes to market as an executor salewith estate agent Hugh McPhillips ofMarshs. It’s the sort of place to fire upimaginations, given its location,extensive south-facing back garden, plusits interior space over three levels.It’s got its sole bathroom to the back

in one garden annexe, a former kitchenacross the sheltered yard in anothersmall wing, and you’d likely blow themall away for a glass box extension.Ceilings are high, four of the five

fireplaces are originals, and the atticrooms are big and bright.

VERDICT: If you could buy for around€200k, and spend another €100k, you’dhave something very special a milefrom the city centre.

We scan a selection of tradingup homes around the country

One of the best sites in Killarney — so says sellingagent Tom Spillane of this acre-and-a-bit plot at Gortroe,overlooking the golf course and with famed mountain/Reeks views at Lacakabane above the Fossa road.Three sites are up for development in this most

tightly-controlled setting, he advises, and “these siteswon’t come around again”.The builder/vendor of this 1.2 acres is prepared to

build out the four-bed, split-level house for whichplanning is in place. Guide price for the lot, all in, isquoted at €475,000 with good allowances (PC sums) for

final finishes. The site can also be bought as is, but it’slikely that design changes to the drawings won’t beallowed by planners in any case. The triangle-shapedsite is elevated, and below it is the large Liebherr cranefactory, so a new owner may want to mound or plantsections to frame and “manage” the view.

VERDICT: €475k for a brand new, 2,280sq ft home on1.2 acres in one of Killarney’s better perches isn’t to besneezed at, and there’s a sweetener of membership ofKillarney Golf Club also available.

Sq m: 213 (2,285sq ft) Bedrooms: 4BER rating: N/A Broadband: Yes

GLENVILLE, CO CORK€365,000Sq m: 213 (2,300 sq ft) Bedrooms: 4BER rating: C1 Broadband: Yes

Tucked away in the little hamlet ofGlenville, this detached house at12, Edgewood is a good, detached housein a safe and secure location forfamilies a few miles north of Cork city.On the market with Don Murphy

Auctioneers, it comes in move-incondition and has a guide price of€365,000.For that money you get a decent, well-

developed site, a range of living spaceand four bedrooms with threebathrooms.The dormer house is very low

maintenance with a lot of tarmacaround the house, a paved patio andwell kept garden which includes a playarea.A walk to the shops and the local

school, Rustic Lodge has a lounge,playroom, kitchen/ dining room,utility, guest bathroom, mainbathroom, four bedrooms includingmaster suite.Each room is well fitted, including the

kitchen which has, appropriatelyenough, a rustic oak kitchen with abank of units, island and dresser.

VERDICT: Seven miles north of Corkcity, this spot has amenities locally, butBlackpool Shopping Centre and RetailPark are is minutes’ away in goodtraffic. Rural but accessible, it’s perfectfor growing families and,as it’s part of an estate, it’s not isolated.

CLONDROHID, MACROOM€270,000Sq m: 297 (3,197sq ft) Bedrooms: 5BER rating: Pending Broadband: Yes

While it may have an unfinished lookon the outside, The Glebe, Clondrohidhas a period elegance in the interior.On the market with Tom Heffernan of

Sherry FitzGerald Hinchion, thisproperty will require energy andinvestment on the outside, but for themost part, all the work has been doneinternally.Character, style and comfort is how

Heffernan sums up this house, which iswithin commuting distance to Cork city,but also very close to Macroom town.Set on four acres of its own grounds

and surrounded by mature woodland,this is the ideal property for a growingfamily with an interest in the outdoors,but who don’t want to drive too far toschools and other amenities.The house is a half-and-half mix: one

part is old and then there’s a new living,kitchen, dining and sun room extension.The kitchen has very elegant, modernunits with cream marble worktop andthe sunroom faces south-west and isused as a dining area.There are three large rooms left to

finish, but as it stands now, the househas three functioning, en suitebedrooms, with a main bathroom andtwo further bedrooms.

VERDICT: A bit of money over andabove the asking price is needed here,but good negotiating skills could see abeneficial sale for both parties.

PROPERTY

A touch of grandeurPictures: Denis Scannell

I T’S always stimulating to get a surprise on ahouse and property visit. No 2 North Mall is fullof surprises — pleasant ones.Now just tipping over 200 years old, this city

building previously called North Mall House hasn’tbeen lived in for years and years. While it did serve inrecent decades as offices, it’s as easy to see it work asa home again as anything else.Oh, and more good news: if you buy No 2, you get No

1 into the bargain: this former, smaller home wasconverted over a century agoto warehouse use, with acarriageway door inserted inits facade, and now it adds tothe amount of property onoffer (as it’s in poor order, No1 also adds to theconservation and renovationwork to be done.)For the right buyer, No 2’s

renovation will be satisfyingand gratifying, repaying thecompliment by giving back abuilding of exceptionalelegance, in an equally exceptional city setting. On apractical level, there’s a link (on two levels) to aseparate two-storey building behind in the high-walledcourtyard, which is big enough to park over a dozencars, reached via a shared arched side lane betweenNos 2&3.Architectural aficionados will be familiar with No

2’s exterior: on Cork’s North Mall, it’s outstanding inseveral ways, not least for the elegance of itssymmetry and its broad, central bow holding threetimber sash windows on each of its graceful threelevels.Its facade is red brick above red sandstone, with

limestone sills and steps: it’s not too much of a stretchof the imagination to reckon that this stone wasquarried out of the sandstone cliff directly behind theNorth Mall and under Blarney Street, making theNorth Mall one of Cork city’s most elegant riversideboulevards.The north channel of the River Lee curves around

here, so Nos 1 and 2 look up toward UCC’s TyndallInstitute (visited last year by the Queen Elizabeth),and to the Mercy Hospital, whose original, main

building had once been a Cork’s Lord Mayor’sresidence.This is old Cork, steeped in both physical and

cultural history, once home to an old Franciscanfriary. Directly across the Lee is a former home of oneGeorge Boole, father of modern day computing thanksto his Boolean algebra. While Boole’s house has beenbadly damaged by ravages of time and a partialbuilding collapse, there’s surely enough ITentrepreneurs and major IT companies in Cork to

rescue it in hismemory. Given that it’ssmall, perhaps theycould spill over some oftheir largesse to Nos 1& 2 North Mall —they’d make a greatsmall museum orvisitor centre a laLimerick’s Pery Square.It could, too, make for

professional offices, alanguage or businessschool, restaurant or

some other commercial uses. How about neighbouringIrish Distillers (aiming to spend €100m on a Jamesonplant extension in Midleton) casting an appreciativeeye on this once more?And, what a private house it would make, as a whole

or in sections!It comes to market guiding €500,000 for vendors

Cork County Council, primarily as a commercialoffering via John Paul Sheehan of Lisney. He acceptsthere may well be private residential interest, giventhe price guide, its interior quality, gracious rooms,location, and site size: it’s on one fifth of an acre, thelargest site of all on North Mall, which has a mix ofoccupants on its south-facing and river aspected row.The detailing starts at the front door case, with

carved Corinthian columns, frieze work and fan light,ensconced beyond cast iron railings. Go a few stepsinside, and the quality of the outer and inner hallssteps up further, with exceptional vaulted ceilings,detailed tracery and plasterwork, and feature staircasewindows, including an oval return gable window withfine plaster details on its splayed surround.Door cases too are engaging, displaying an eye for

Location: North Mall, CorkPrice: €500,000Size: 485 sq m (5,200 sq ft)Bedrooms: 8-plusBER rating: ExemptBroadband: YesBest feature: Grace, location, aspect

For the right buyer, No 2’s renovation will be satisfying and gratifying, writes Tommy Barker

proportion and craftsmanship: the joy is just how goodmuch of the retained architectural detail is, and itsrooms sizes are hospitable.

VERDICT: Remarkable order for 200 years of age, andhuge potential, but up for sale with lousy timing.


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TRADING UPPROPERTY

KILLARNEY, KERRY €475,000

ROCHESTOWN, CORK€340,000Sq m: 146.8 Bedrooms: 4BER rating: Pending Broadband: Yes

The extra, third floor of this house typeat the Dewberry section of Mount OvalVillage in Cork means this slenderhouse type fits in four bedrooms in all.A 2012 market offering, and detached,

No 15 Dewberry has a €340,000 priceguide via agents Sherry FitzGerald whosay the Mount Oval scheme is very wellserviced and the location almost self-contained, with sports facilities,woodland walks nearby, and a nationalschool as well adjacent.No 15 has a front living room with

cast iron fireplace, a smallish kitchenbehind linked to a dining room, anddown a few steps to the back is a familyroom with garden access.The middle level has two en suite

bedrooms, and the top floor has twomore bedrooms, making for four in all,plus yet another bathroom.Overall condition is good.(By way of sheer contrast, also

currently bid to the sort of sum soughthere is the 5,000 sq ft derelict Victorianfarmhouse plus circular derelict gatelodge, on eight acres out theRochestown Road towards Passage West.Featuring in these pages as House of

the Week at the start of this month withAndy Donoghue of Casey and Kingstonauctioneers, it has had dozens ofviewings, and is currently under offerat €330,000 from a low €300,000 AMV.)

VERDICT: 15 Dewberry is good to go.

DOUGLAS ROAD, CORK€235,000Sq m: 140 (1,500 sq ft) Bedrooms: 5BER rating: Pending Broadband: Yes

There’s almost a long acre behind 3Laurelwood, a main Douglas Road, CorkCity century-old, original terracedhouse — well, it seems to go on for ever.There’s over 150’ length of slender

greenery, home to a copse of 50’ tallpine trees (free firewood!) whichvisually block just how far the groundsextend to. That distant boundary is thehigh, limestone wall of St Finbarr’sHospital, and residents of this terrace offive Laurelwood houses share rear caraccess to their long back gardens from alock-up gate on the main road.No 3 is in very original condition (ie,

read ‘dated,’ but it has beenunderpinned with drains work done)and comes to market as an executor salewith estate agent Hugh McPhillips ofMarshs. It’s the sort of place to fire upimaginations, given its location,extensive south-facing back garden, plusits interior space over three levels.It’s got its sole bathroom to the back

in one garden annexe, a former kitchenacross the sheltered yard in anothersmall wing, and you’d likely blow themall away for a glass box extension.Ceilings are high, four of the five

fireplaces are originals, and the atticrooms are big and bright.

VERDICT: If you could buy for around€200k, and spend another €100k, you’dhave something very special a milefrom the city centre.

We scan a selection of tradingup homes around the country

One of the best sites in Killarney — so says sellingagent Tom Spillane of this acre-and-a-bit plot at Gortroe,overlooking the golf course and with famed mountain/Reeks views at Lacakabane above the Fossa road.Three sites are up for development in this most

tightly-controlled setting, he advises, and “these siteswon’t come around again”.The builder/vendor of this 1.2 acres is prepared to

build out the four-bed, split-level house for whichplanning is in place. Guide price for the lot, all in, isquoted at €475,000 with good allowances (PC sums) for

final finishes. The site can also be bought as is, but it’slikely that design changes to the drawings won’t beallowed by planners in any case. The triangle-shapedsite is elevated, and below it is the large Liebherr cranefactory, so a new owner may want to mound or plantsections to frame and “manage” the view.

VERDICT: €475k for a brand new, 2,280sq ft home on1.2 acres in one of Killarney’s better perches isn’t to besneezed at, and there’s a sweetener of membership ofKillarney Golf Club also available.

Sq m: 213 (2,285sq ft) Bedrooms: 4BER rating: N/A Broadband: Yes

GLENVILLE, CO CORK€365,000Sq m: 213 (2,300 sq ft) Bedrooms: 4BER rating: C1 Broadband: Yes

Tucked away in the little hamlet ofGlenville, this detached house at12, Edgewood is a good, detached housein a safe and secure location forfamilies a few miles north of Cork city.On the market with Don Murphy

Auctioneers, it comes in move-incondition and has a guide price of€365,000.For that money you get a decent, well-

developed site, a range of living spaceand four bedrooms with threebathrooms.The dormer house is very low

maintenance with a lot of tarmacaround the house, a paved patio andwell kept garden which includes a playarea.A walk to the shops and the local

school, Rustic Lodge has a lounge,playroom, kitchen/ dining room,utility, guest bathroom, mainbathroom, four bedrooms includingmaster suite.Each room is well fitted, including the

kitchen which has, appropriatelyenough, a rustic oak kitchen with abank of units, island and dresser.

VERDICT: Seven miles north of Corkcity, this spot has amenities locally, butBlackpool Shopping Centre and RetailPark are is minutes’ away in goodtraffic. Rural but accessible, it’s perfectfor growing families and,as it’s part of an estate, it’s not isolated.

CLONDROHID, MACROOM€270,000Sq m: 297 (3,197sq ft) Bedrooms: 5BER rating: Pending Broadband: Yes

While it may have an unfinished lookon the outside, The Glebe, Clondrohidhas a period elegance in the interior.On the market with Tom Heffernan of

Sherry FitzGerald Hinchion, thisproperty will require energy andinvestment on the outside, but for themost part, all the work has been doneinternally.Character, style and comfort is how

Heffernan sums up this house, which iswithin commuting distance to Cork city,but also very close to Macroom town.Set on four acres of its own grounds

and surrounded by mature woodland,this is the ideal property for a growingfamily with an interest in the outdoors,but who don’t want to drive too far toschools and other amenities.The house is a half-and-half mix: one

part is old and then there’s a new living,kitchen, dining and sun room extension.The kitchen has very elegant, modernunits with cream marble worktop andthe sunroom faces south-west and isused as a dining area.There are three large rooms left to

finish, but as it stands now, the househas three functioning, en suitebedrooms, with a main bathroom andtwo further bedrooms.

VERDICT: A bit of money over andabove the asking price is needed here,but good negotiating skills could see abeneficial sale for both parties.

PROPERTY

A touch of grandeurPictures: Denis Scannell

I T’S always stimulating to get a surprise on ahouse and property visit. No 2 North Mall is fullof surprises — pleasant ones.Now just tipping over 200 years old, this city

building previously called North Mall House hasn’tbeen lived in for years and years. While it did serve inrecent decades as offices, it’s as easy to see it work asa home again as anything else.Oh, and more good news: if you buy No 2, you get No

1 into the bargain: this former, smaller home wasconverted over a century agoto warehouse use, with acarriageway door inserted inits facade, and now it adds tothe amount of property onoffer (as it’s in poor order, No1 also adds to theconservation and renovationwork to be done.)For the right buyer, No 2’s

renovation will be satisfyingand gratifying, repaying thecompliment by giving back abuilding of exceptionalelegance, in an equally exceptional city setting. On apractical level, there’s a link (on two levels) to aseparate two-storey building behind in the high-walledcourtyard, which is big enough to park over a dozencars, reached via a shared arched side lane betweenNos 2&3.Architectural aficionados will be familiar with No

2’s exterior: on Cork’s North Mall, it’s outstanding inseveral ways, not least for the elegance of itssymmetry and its broad, central bow holding threetimber sash windows on each of its graceful threelevels.Its facade is red brick above red sandstone, with

limestone sills and steps: it’s not too much of a stretchof the imagination to reckon that this stone wasquarried out of the sandstone cliff directly behind theNorth Mall and under Blarney Street, making theNorth Mall one of Cork city’s most elegant riversideboulevards.The north channel of the River Lee curves around

here, so Nos 1 and 2 look up toward UCC’s TyndallInstitute (visited last year by the Queen Elizabeth),and to the Mercy Hospital, whose original, main

building had once been a Cork’s Lord Mayor’sresidence.This is old Cork, steeped in both physical and

cultural history, once home to an old Franciscanfriary. Directly across the Lee is a former home of oneGeorge Boole, father of modern day computing thanksto his Boolean algebra. While Boole’s house has beenbadly damaged by ravages of time and a partialbuilding collapse, there’s surely enough ITentrepreneurs and major IT companies in Cork to

rescue it in hismemory. Given that it’ssmall, perhaps theycould spill over some oftheir largesse to Nos 1& 2 North Mall —they’d make a greatsmall museum orvisitor centre a laLimerick’s Pery Square.It could, too, make for

professional offices, alanguage or businessschool, restaurant or

some other commercial uses. How about neighbouringIrish Distillers (aiming to spend €100m on a Jamesonplant extension in Midleton) casting an appreciativeeye on this once more?And, what a private house it would make, as a whole

or in sections!It comes to market guiding €500,000 for vendors

Cork County Council, primarily as a commercialoffering via John Paul Sheehan of Lisney. He acceptsthere may well be private residential interest, giventhe price guide, its interior quality, gracious rooms,location, and site size: it’s on one fifth of an acre, thelargest site of all on North Mall, which has a mix ofoccupants on its south-facing and river aspected row.The detailing starts at the front door case, with

carved Corinthian columns, frieze work and fan light,ensconced beyond cast iron railings. Go a few stepsinside, and the quality of the outer and inner hallssteps up further, with exceptional vaulted ceilings,detailed tracery and plasterwork, and feature staircasewindows, including an oval return gable window withfine plaster details on its splayed surround.Door cases too are engaging, displaying an eye for

Location: North Mall, CorkPrice: €500,000Size: 485 sq m (5,200 sq ft)Bedrooms: 8-plusBER rating: ExemptBroadband: YesBest feature: Grace, location, aspect

For the right buyer, No 2’s renovation will be satisfying and gratifying, writes Tommy Barker

proportion and craftsmanship: the joy is just how goodmuch of the retained architectural detail is, and itsrooms sizes are hospitable.

VERDICT: Remarkable order for 200 years of age, andhuge potential, but up for sale with lousy timing.


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STARTER HOMES

Location: Blarney, Co CorkPrice: €199,000Size: Sq. m 112 (1,200 sq ft)Bedrooms: 3BER rating: C1Broadband: Yes

Location: Montenotte, CorkPrice: €150,000Size: 102 sq m (1,100 sq ft)Bedrooms: 4BER rating: PendingBroadband: Yes

Come inside for a look, this Tower/Blarney home comes fully fittedNo 24 Willison Meadows is warm, comfortable and very well finished. Rose Martin reports

TARELTON, CO CORK €50,000Sq m: 70 (749 sq ft) Bedrooms: 2BER rating: Pending Broadband: Yes

Buyers who search for that elusive cottage on an acremay have to move a bit further out of the city, butseek and ye will find.This little beauty at Tarelton, Co Cork, is in the

sticks, but it’s still a quick hop to the main Cork/Macroom road.Young couples with good skills, little money and a

bit of a dream might find this the perfect project —and with the guide at €50,000, the price is also right.On the market with Tom Heffernan of Sherry

FitzGerald Hinchion, there’s great scope here for anelement of self-sufficiency.

VERDICT: The cottage and its acre of ground arepart of an executor’s sale and a canny cash buyercould press their advantage.

CASTLEJANE, GLANMIRE €199,500Sq m: 93 (1,000 sq ft) Bedrooms: 2BER rating: Pending Broadband: Yes

FERMOY, CORK €125,000Sq m: 93 (1,000 sq ft) Bedrooms: 3BER rating: Pending Broadband: Yes

PROPERTY

Luxury home sports a sedate exteriorUnassuming from the outside, but pristine and stylish on the inside. Tommy Barker reports

YOU shouldn’t judge a book byits cover - though we often do.And, in the very same way,house façades are often no

guide at all as to what’s on the insidesof their walls.Well, if the walls of 11 Melbourne

Mews could talk, they’d whisper — it’sthat calming, quiet sort of place, perhapsinterrupted just a tad by the crackle oflogs on the hearty open fire, with thetimber scent mixing with that of waxcandles. Yep, this is an immaculatehouse, in which a woman who knew her

mind ruled the roost.No 11, off the Melbourne Road and

Rossa Road in Cork’s Bishopstown, wasbought by its current owner back in 2007when she traded down after rearing afamily in a larger, six-bed Bishopstownhome on a corner site.She might have made a sensible

compromise on size, but she upped thequality of her purchase to match herstandards. It comes up for sale nowbetter even than when it was built,perhaps 25 years ago.Before moving in, she took out the

strip of hallway and gave that spaceover to her new 13’ by 13’ living room,shielded from the front door by a smallglazed alcove. French doors now linkthis warm front room (new, simplemarble open fireplace) to the full-widthkitchen/dining behind, a total new kit-out, with oak work tops, painted units,French ceramic sink and a half-sink,with porcelain tiled floor.Floors, walls, everything is fresh,

with French doors to a west facing patioand easy-keep back garden and with alarge shed at its back boundary.

Location: Bishopstown, CorkPrice: €220,000Size: 74 (800 sq ft)Bedrooms: 3BER rating: PendingBroadband: YesBest feature: Pristine

Location: Kenmare, KerryPrice: €165,000Size: 97 (1,050 sq ft)Bedrooms: 3BER rating: PendingBroadband: YesBest feature: Waterfront setting

Take a walk along the riversideThe setting marks this Kenmare home as one to consider. Tommy Barker reports

J UST over the bridge, and sowithin a short walk of the townof Kenmare, is 14 Sheen Woods, atownhouse owned by an interior

designer, and now guided for sale at€165,000 with agents DNG TimothySullivan.Most of the heritage town’s rapid

expansion in the noughties seems tohave gone on out the Sneem road andthe Ring of Kerry, and things seem to

have been more tightly controlled thisside of the river.This scheme, with its mix of

townhouses, is reckoned to be wellabove par, and a key feature is theriverside walk from its communalgardens.The selling agent for No 14 says it is

centrally located — and given thetemptations of Kenmare’s many qualitybars and restaurants, there’s a lot to be

said for a short fresh air walk homebefore hitting the hay.Finish and decor levels in this

offering are attractive, says DNG JohnO’Brien, with an open plan ground floorcombining the kitchen (shaker-stylewood units) with living and diningrooms interlinked. These spaces haveterracotta tiled floors, as well asunderfloor heating. Double doors swingout to the private stepped back garden,

and the front living space has a raised-level fireplace with electric insert stove.There’s also an entry hall off the

stone-faced porch, a guest WC, andoverhead are three bedrooms, one ofthem en suite, plus a main bathroom.

VERDICT: The setting, within a smallniche scheme with harbour/estuaryviews and shoreline walk, mark SheenWoods out as being well worth a look.

Up the carpeted stairs are threefeminine bedrooms, plus a freshly-tiledbathroom.The house has been re-wired,

upgraded, has a new heating system,boiler and glazing, with off-streetparking in the cul-de-sac. Nearby arethe CIT, CUH, Technology Park, etc.Selling agent is Jeremy Murphy, who

says that No 11 couldn’t be morepresentable and attractive, fit for asingle buyer, couple, or trader down.

VERDICT: Spotless interior.

Do-er upper haslofty ambitionsAffordable period property has guide priceof €120,000, Tommy Barker reports

An aerial view of St Luke’s Cross area in 1975. Carolina Terraceis in the top right hand side.

You could flake down to Cork city in 10 minutesfrom this Montenotte terraced home — but it willtake you 15 minutes or more to puff your way backup.Up for sale as a bit of a do-er upper is No 1

Carolina Terrace, on the Middle Glanmire Road:the address is a bit of a misnomer for latter dayarrivals to Cork, as in fact it’s just a couple ofhundred yards from St Luke’s Cross, by the formerArbutus and the Montenotte Hotel — or the oldCountry Club, if you are of a certain Cork vintage.No 1 comes up for sale with Tom Woodward

auctioneer who guides it at €150,000. The priceguide reflects the fact that it needs TLC.With around 1,200 sq ft of space, over three levels,

it can realistically only swallow so much extracash, but those keen to get their hands on an

affordable period property in a handy location withgreat aspect and views will want to remind themselvesthat every building material needed will have to betrucked up the long front garden, as there’s no side orrear access.No 1 Carolina Terrace has, though, a raised rear

garden (reached via door on a half landing) with someapple trees, and could make for a rather fine city pad,aloof aloft, with a Montenotte address to boot.Right now it has a hall with terrazzo-style floor, two

ground floor living rooms each with fireplaces, plusbathroom and kitchen.Overhead, each of the next two floors has two

bedrooms apiece, most with fireplaces, and there’s anattic level with two more rooms up here.

VERDICT: A tall house for those with lofty ambitions.

DON’T rush to judgement — thisthree storey house betweenTower and Blarney in Co Corkhas a smashing interior.Warm, comfortable and very

well finished, no 24 WillisonMeadows is also offered a knock-down price through Kate Kearneyof DNG Condon.And she’s open to reasonable

offers as the couple selling areanxious to trade up, she says.First-time buyers will find this

three level property a clean buy,as it comes fully fitted andincludes good quality flooringand carpets.The ground floor has a lovely

sitting room with stone fireplace,insert stove and bookshelvesfitted on either side, with slidingdoors to a private rear patio.It also connects to the kitchen/

dining room which has cherrywood units and tiled floor withenough space for a good diningtable.Bedrooms two and three are on

the first floor, along with a mainbathroom, (there’s also a guestbathroom at ground level) and theupper floor has a full mastersuite, with attic storage overhead.

Verdict: Great location close toshops and Cork city and thehouse comes with a fullylandscaped, maintenance-freeback garden.

This is an elegant littletwo-bed at Glanmire, CoCork, which is fresh tothe market with DonMurphy and Associates.On offer at €199,500, the

house is pristine, says theagent, and comes with asunroom extension at therear, which adds an extradimension to the two bed.Both upper level

bedrooms are en suiteand the quality of thefittings in lounge andkitchen/ diner are topclass, he says.

A nice clean buy, in thenorth Cork town ofFermoy, is 85 Glencullen— within a walk of thetown, and with easyaccess too to the M8, thenow-nippy Cork-Dublinhighway.No 85’s a modern three-

bed semi-d, on the marketwith Paul O’Shea of MattFallon/FML Auctioneersin Cork city, a half anhour’s drive away.The walk-in part-brick

condition property hasoff-street parking infront, side passage accessand patio door access to

VERDICT: No 2 TheMaples is located in agood area in Glanmire, isturnkey and has a welllaid out, low-maintenancegarden. Worth a look fordownsizers and singlebuyers.

the back garden, livingroom and separatekitchen/dining roomwith integratedappliances, and built-insin the bedrooms.

VERDICT: A simple,straightforward package.


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STARTER HOMES

Location: Blarney, Co CorkPrice: €199,000Size: Sq. m 112 (1,200 sq ft)Bedrooms: 3BER rating: C1Broadband: Yes

Location: Montenotte, CorkPrice: €150,000Size: 102 sq m (1,100 sq ft)Bedrooms: 4BER rating: PendingBroadband: Yes

Come inside for a look, this Tower/Blarney home comes fully fittedNo 24 Willison Meadows is warm, comfortable and very well finished. Rose Martin reports

TARELTON, CO CORK €50,000Sq m: 70 (749 sq ft) Bedrooms: 2BER rating: Pending Broadband: Yes

Buyers who search for that elusive cottage on an acremay have to move a bit further out of the city, butseek and ye will find.This little beauty at Tarelton, Co Cork, is in the

sticks, but it’s still a quick hop to the main Cork/Macroom road.Young couples with good skills, little money and a

bit of a dream might find this the perfect project —and with the guide at €50,000, the price is also right.On the market with Tom Heffernan of Sherry

FitzGerald Hinchion, there’s great scope here for anelement of self-sufficiency.

VERDICT: The cottage and its acre of ground arepart of an executor’s sale and a canny cash buyercould press their advantage.

CASTLEJANE, GLANMIRE €199,500Sq m: 93 (1,000 sq ft) Bedrooms: 2BER rating: Pending Broadband: Yes

FERMOY, CORK €125,000Sq m: 93 (1,000 sq ft) Bedrooms: 3BER rating: Pending Broadband: Yes

PROPERTY

Luxury home sports a sedate exteriorUnassuming from the outside, but pristine and stylish on the inside. Tommy Barker reports

YOU shouldn’t judge a book byits cover - though we often do.And, in the very same way,house façades are often no

guide at all as to what’s on the insidesof their walls.Well, if the walls of 11 Melbourne

Mews could talk, they’d whisper — it’sthat calming, quiet sort of place, perhapsinterrupted just a tad by the crackle oflogs on the hearty open fire, with thetimber scent mixing with that of waxcandles. Yep, this is an immaculatehouse, in which a woman who knew her

mind ruled the roost.No 11, off the Melbourne Road and

Rossa Road in Cork’s Bishopstown, wasbought by its current owner back in 2007when she traded down after rearing afamily in a larger, six-bed Bishopstownhome on a corner site.She might have made a sensible

compromise on size, but she upped thequality of her purchase to match herstandards. It comes up for sale nowbetter even than when it was built,perhaps 25 years ago.Before moving in, she took out the

strip of hallway and gave that spaceover to her new 13’ by 13’ living room,shielded from the front door by a smallglazed alcove. French doors now linkthis warm front room (new, simplemarble open fireplace) to the full-widthkitchen/dining behind, a total new kit-out, with oak work tops, painted units,French ceramic sink and a half-sink,with porcelain tiled floor.Floors, walls, everything is fresh,

with French doors to a west facing patioand easy-keep back garden and with alarge shed at its back boundary.

Location: Bishopstown, CorkPrice: €220,000Size: 74 (800 sq ft)Bedrooms: 3BER rating: PendingBroadband: YesBest feature: Pristine

Location: Kenmare, KerryPrice: €165,000Size: 97 (1,050 sq ft)Bedrooms: 3BER rating: PendingBroadband: YesBest feature: Waterfront setting

Take a walk along the riversideThe setting marks this Kenmare home as one to consider. Tommy Barker reports

J UST over the bridge, and sowithin a short walk of the townof Kenmare, is 14 Sheen Woods, atownhouse owned by an interior

designer, and now guided for sale at€165,000 with agents DNG TimothySullivan.Most of the heritage town’s rapid

expansion in the noughties seems tohave gone on out the Sneem road andthe Ring of Kerry, and things seem to

have been more tightly controlled thisside of the river.This scheme, with its mix of

townhouses, is reckoned to be wellabove par, and a key feature is theriverside walk from its communalgardens.The selling agent for No 14 says it is

centrally located — and given thetemptations of Kenmare’s many qualitybars and restaurants, there’s a lot to be

said for a short fresh air walk homebefore hitting the hay.Finish and decor levels in this

offering are attractive, says DNG JohnO’Brien, with an open plan ground floorcombining the kitchen (shaker-stylewood units) with living and diningrooms interlinked. These spaces haveterracotta tiled floors, as well asunderfloor heating. Double doors swingout to the private stepped back garden,

and the front living space has a raised-level fireplace with electric insert stove.There’s also an entry hall off the

stone-faced porch, a guest WC, andoverhead are three bedrooms, one ofthem en suite, plus a main bathroom.

VERDICT: The setting, within a smallniche scheme with harbour/estuaryviews and shoreline walk, mark SheenWoods out as being well worth a look.

Up the carpeted stairs are threefeminine bedrooms, plus a freshly-tiledbathroom.The house has been re-wired,

upgraded, has a new heating system,boiler and glazing, with off-streetparking in the cul-de-sac. Nearby arethe CIT, CUH, Technology Park, etc.Selling agent is Jeremy Murphy, who

says that No 11 couldn’t be morepresentable and attractive, fit for asingle buyer, couple, or trader down.

VERDICT: Spotless interior.

Do-er upper haslofty ambitionsAffordable period property has guide priceof €120,000, Tommy Barker reports

An aerial view of St Luke’s Cross area in 1975. Carolina Terraceis in the top right hand side.

You could flake down to Cork city in 10 minutesfrom this Montenotte terraced home — but it willtake you 15 minutes or more to puff your way backup.Up for sale as a bit of a do-er upper is No 1

Carolina Terrace, on the Middle Glanmire Road:the address is a bit of a misnomer for latter dayarrivals to Cork, as in fact it’s just a couple ofhundred yards from St Luke’s Cross, by the formerArbutus and the Montenotte Hotel — or the oldCountry Club, if you are of a certain Cork vintage.No 1 comes up for sale with Tom Woodward

auctioneer who guides it at €150,000. The priceguide reflects the fact that it needs TLC.With around 1,200 sq ft of space, over three levels,

it can realistically only swallow so much extracash, but those keen to get their hands on an

affordable period property in a handy location withgreat aspect and views will want to remind themselvesthat every building material needed will have to betrucked up the long front garden, as there’s no side orrear access.No 1 Carolina Terrace has, though, a raised rear

garden (reached via door on a half landing) with someapple trees, and could make for a rather fine city pad,aloof aloft, with a Montenotte address to boot.Right now it has a hall with terrazzo-style floor, two

ground floor living rooms each with fireplaces, plusbathroom and kitchen.Overhead, each of the next two floors has two

bedrooms apiece, most with fireplaces, and there’s anattic level with two more rooms up here.

VERDICT: A tall house for those with lofty ambitions.

DON’T rush to judgement — thisthree storey house betweenTower and Blarney in Co Corkhas a smashing interior.Warm, comfortable and very

well finished, no 24 WillisonMeadows is also offered a knock-down price through Kate Kearneyof DNG Condon.And she’s open to reasonable

offers as the couple selling areanxious to trade up, she says.First-time buyers will find this

three level property a clean buy,as it comes fully fitted andincludes good quality flooringand carpets.The ground floor has a lovely

sitting room with stone fireplace,insert stove and bookshelvesfitted on either side, with slidingdoors to a private rear patio.It also connects to the kitchen/

dining room which has cherrywood units and tiled floor withenough space for a good diningtable.Bedrooms two and three are on

the first floor, along with a mainbathroom, (there’s also a guestbathroom at ground level) and theupper floor has a full mastersuite, with attic storage overhead.

Verdict: Great location close toshops and Cork city and thehouse comes with a fullylandscaped, maintenance-freeback garden.

This is an elegant littletwo-bed at Glanmire, CoCork, which is fresh tothe market with DonMurphy and Associates.On offer at €199,500, the

house is pristine, says theagent, and comes with asunroom extension at therear, which adds an extradimension to the two bed.Both upper level

bedrooms are en suiteand the quality of thefittings in lounge andkitchen/ diner are topclass, he says.

A nice clean buy, in thenorth Cork town ofFermoy, is 85 Glencullen— within a walk of thetown, and with easyaccess too to the M8, thenow-nippy Cork-Dublinhighway.No 85’s a modern three-

bed semi-d, on the marketwith Paul O’Shea of MattFallon/FML Auctioneersin Cork city, a half anhour’s drive away.The walk-in part-brick

condition property hasoff-street parking infront, side passage accessand patio door access to

VERDICT: No 2 TheMaples is located in agood area in Glanmire, isturnkey and has a welllaid out, low-maintenancegarden. Worth a look fordownsizers and singlebuyers.

the back garden, livingroom and separatekitchen/dining roomwith integratedappliances, and built-insin the bedrooms.

VERDICT: A simple,straightforward package.


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PROPERTY FEATURE PROPERTY FEATURE

Modernised homewith historic pastin wild West Cork

I T’S either a feast, or afamine, when it comes toheadland houses in wildWest Cork: this home, at

Casltemeighan, combines both.A supremely comfortable

house, on 30 elevated acreswith Atlantic and Fastnetviews from its 500’ above sealevel setting, it has the highestof comfort levels inside and out— in contrast to its past as apart of a local, abandoned,Famine village.Newly up for sale, this house

last changed hands eight yearsago when sold on behalf of thefamily of the late Swedishresturant owner Max Willborg,who lived here for a number ofyears and had other Goleen/Crookhaven property interests.A number of the old stone

dwellings from the 1800s havebeen brought back from theirdays of abandonment, but nonehas the mix enjoyed by thisrare offering.It was bought in the early

2000s by its current owners,who started in on its extensionand overhaul about six yearsago, and it has been done withan unerring eye and a sense ofmaximising the glories of thesetting.So, there’s a large open living

space as part of and linkinginto the front sun room, glazedon three sides, and supreme inall that it surveys. The masterbedroom, directly overhead,has a front gable window withtelescope placed for sweepingsea surveys: the owners sayyou can track all of the boat,yacht, dinghy and fishing crafttraffic in and out of safe sailingmecca and boat berthCrookhaven from up here.Also hoving into view is the

Fastnet rock and lighthouse,and at night the beamreassuringly sweeps throughthe bedroom windows here.Yet, there’s hardly a place

where this house can be seenfrom, given that it is tuckedback into a step on the rockyand gorse strewn landscape. So,

Skibbereen.She guides the 2,000 sq ft five

bed home on its large amountof land at €695,000 andcomments “it’s one of the verybest renovation jobs I’ve seenin West Cork, it’s soimpressive, and the setting isextraordinary”.The owners drafted in Bantry

architects Daly Barry to blenda new extension with theoriginal cottage, and the endresult is quietly impressive,there’s no flashiness, and theentire is suitably deferential tothe vernacular. So, there’s someexposed stone, smooth render,slate roofs and red ridge tiles,timber windows in traditionalstyle, painted a soft purple ormauve for a slight modern lookfrom the outside.Builders were the highly

regarded local Bantry area firmof Chom Construction, and thebuild/rebuild period was abouteight months after planningwas secured. The owners arehigh in their praises of theirworkmanship — “they’d driveback to Bantry for a nail if theyhad to rather than take a shortcut”.Testament to the build

quality is the fact the finishedhouse now weighs in at a B3BER energy efficiency rating,impressive for a pre-Faminetimes original build. Heating isoil-fired, with double glazing,and when the Irish Examinervisited last weekend theheating had been off for most ofthe month, yet it felt dry, andwarm. “By the time you havethe car emptied and bags in thedoor the place has warmed up,”say the family owners whoarrive en masse, spanningthree generations.It’s a surprisingly big and

accommodating house, withtwo ground floor bedroomsnicely spread apart at the backof the house, one facing east,the other a slender one facingwest, with immensely thickwalls and window sills.Overhead are three more

to get back to the views rightbelow the hill’s dip, there’s aprimely sited rounded deck andbalcony, done in a compositematerial for ease of keepingand maintenance.Garden landscape plans are

by Brian Cross, physicallydelivered by Charlie O’Leary ofThe Pavilion, Ballygarvan,with plants thrive and lookingnaturally at home here; despitethe winter winds and elevation,there’s a surprising amount oflushness and colour to look

forward to come summer.Although this house is on 30

acres of land, it is roughgrazing and rock — it’s hardlylikely you’ll have to maintainit, but sheep could be profitablein sections. That, and beds ofmint, to go with lashings ofspring lamb, anyone?Mint of a different order —

mint condition” — describesthe house’s decor andcondition, says its selling agentMaeve McCarthy of Charles PMcCarthy auctioneers in

and then off beyond theU-shaped kitchen with paintedhardwood units (and walnutworktops) is the dining space,with twin ship-like suspendedlights over the large andaccommodating tables.The kitchen’s a good design,

very practical, with rangecooker to the back and sink bythe window for view, soakingas you dish-wash. Again, partsof this space have kept someexposed stone internally asreminder of the house’s oldroots, while floors herepractically are terracotta tile.Elsewhere, in the main livingspace, the floor is engineered

“Also hoving into viewis the Fastnet rockand lighthouse, and atnight the beamreassuringly sweepsthrough the bedroomwindows here”

bedrooms, with master bed ensuite making for threebathrooms in all — so noqueues for loos and showerswhen the place is bustling.Internally, the house is split

level, or at least stepped, risingup a tread or two as you goback deeper inside, and there’sa snug, perfect winter‘withdrawing’ room to the rear,with a retained old originalstone wall the back with a solidfuel stove set in pride of placein its centre.As well as this, plus the open

plan living/sun room space,there are a few niche alcoveswith desks and seating spots,

An unerring eye for restoration has ensured this Famine era homeon 30 acres stands out from the crowd, writes Tommy Barker

Pictures: Denis Scannell

>>>

Location: Goleen, West CorkPrice: €695,000Size: 185 sq m. (2,000 sq ft),

30 acresBedrooms: 5BER rating: B3Best feature: Stunning quality, location,

style, and space

timber, and carpets upstairsand in the bedrooms are softunderfoot and wool-rich (see?another reason to keep sheepout in the grounds. It’s acoming trend: grow your ownwool carpets!)There’s an understated

marine feel to some of thedecor, and the owners draftedin the services of freelanceinterior designer SarahMurphy, linked to DesignersLibrary Douglas for somecontacts and advice.Although it has all been done

for nigh on six years now, andthere’s been huge family hustleand bustle here on holiday

visits, the feeling still is almostof brand-new showhousequality, a testament to buyingtop-of the range items andfurniture; it really does standthe test of time.Thus, much of the furniture

was bought in the likes of thevery high-end Bandon shopBelissima and Brown Thomas,as well as Boulevard Interiors,doing well on Cork’sDonnybrook hill, a veryfriendly service and a goodrange, say the delighted ownershere.The kitchen came from

O’Mahony O’Donovan inCarrigaline, and what’s

encouraging in talking to thefamily, who’ve hugely enjoyedtheir years in this retreat, isthe smoothness of it all,professional and craftspeopleall doing a high-level servicewithout need for fuss.Location of this coastal idyll

is off the old, high coast roadfrom Goleen to Crookhavenand Barleycove, privately setbut not isolated, sharing itshillside with a handful of otherrenovated houses which formedthe original Famine village.It’s about four miles from

Goleen and its village servicesand amenities, and acouple of miles from


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Modernised homewith historic pastin wild West Cork

I T’S either a feast, or afamine, when it comes toheadland houses in wildWest Cork: this home, at

Casltemeighan, combines both.A supremely comfortable

house, on 30 elevated acreswith Atlantic and Fastnetviews from its 500’ above sealevel setting, it has the highestof comfort levels inside and out— in contrast to its past as apart of a local, abandoned,Famine village.Newly up for sale, this house

last changed hands eight yearsago when sold on behalf of thefamily of the late Swedishresturant owner Max Willborg,who lived here for a number ofyears and had other Goleen/Crookhaven property interests.A number of the old stone

dwellings from the 1800s havebeen brought back from theirdays of abandonment, but nonehas the mix enjoyed by thisrare offering.It was bought in the early

2000s by its current owners,who started in on its extensionand overhaul about six yearsago, and it has been done withan unerring eye and a sense ofmaximising the glories of thesetting.So, there’s a large open living

space as part of and linkinginto the front sun room, glazedon three sides, and supreme inall that it surveys. The masterbedroom, directly overhead,has a front gable window withtelescope placed for sweepingsea surveys: the owners sayyou can track all of the boat,yacht, dinghy and fishing crafttraffic in and out of safe sailingmecca and boat berthCrookhaven from up here.Also hoving into view is the

Fastnet rock and lighthouse,and at night the beamreassuringly sweeps throughthe bedroom windows here.Yet, there’s hardly a place

where this house can be seenfrom, given that it is tuckedback into a step on the rockyand gorse strewn landscape. So,

Skibbereen.She guides the 2,000 sq ft five

bed home on its large amountof land at €695,000 andcomments “it’s one of the verybest renovation jobs I’ve seenin West Cork, it’s soimpressive, and the setting isextraordinary”.The owners drafted in Bantry

architects Daly Barry to blenda new extension with theoriginal cottage, and the endresult is quietly impressive,there’s no flashiness, and theentire is suitably deferential tothe vernacular. So, there’s someexposed stone, smooth render,slate roofs and red ridge tiles,timber windows in traditionalstyle, painted a soft purple ormauve for a slight modern lookfrom the outside.Builders were the highly

regarded local Bantry area firmof Chom Construction, and thebuild/rebuild period was abouteight months after planningwas secured. The owners arehigh in their praises of theirworkmanship — “they’d driveback to Bantry for a nail if theyhad to rather than take a shortcut”.Testament to the build

quality is the fact the finishedhouse now weighs in at a B3BER energy efficiency rating,impressive for a pre-Faminetimes original build. Heating isoil-fired, with double glazing,and when the Irish Examinervisited last weekend theheating had been off for most ofthe month, yet it felt dry, andwarm. “By the time you havethe car emptied and bags in thedoor the place has warmed up,”say the family owners whoarrive en masse, spanningthree generations.It’s a surprisingly big and

accommodating house, withtwo ground floor bedroomsnicely spread apart at the backof the house, one facing east,the other a slender one facingwest, with immensely thickwalls and window sills.Overhead are three more

to get back to the views rightbelow the hill’s dip, there’s aprimely sited rounded deck andbalcony, done in a compositematerial for ease of keepingand maintenance.Garden landscape plans are

by Brian Cross, physicallydelivered by Charlie O’Leary ofThe Pavilion, Ballygarvan,with plants thrive and lookingnaturally at home here; despitethe winter winds and elevation,there’s a surprising amount oflushness and colour to look

forward to come summer.Although this house is on 30

acres of land, it is roughgrazing and rock — it’s hardlylikely you’ll have to maintainit, but sheep could be profitablein sections. That, and beds ofmint, to go with lashings ofspring lamb, anyone?Mint of a different order —

mint condition” — describesthe house’s decor andcondition, says its selling agentMaeve McCarthy of Charles PMcCarthy auctioneers in

and then off beyond theU-shaped kitchen with paintedhardwood units (and walnutworktops) is the dining space,with twin ship-like suspendedlights over the large andaccommodating tables.The kitchen’s a good design,

very practical, with rangecooker to the back and sink bythe window for view, soakingas you dish-wash. Again, partsof this space have kept someexposed stone internally asreminder of the house’s oldroots, while floors herepractically are terracotta tile.Elsewhere, in the main livingspace, the floor is engineered

“Also hoving into viewis the Fastnet rockand lighthouse, and atnight the beamreassuringly sweepsthrough the bedroomwindows here”

bedrooms, with master bed ensuite making for threebathrooms in all — so noqueues for loos and showerswhen the place is bustling.Internally, the house is split

level, or at least stepped, risingup a tread or two as you goback deeper inside, and there’sa snug, perfect winter‘withdrawing’ room to the rear,with a retained old originalstone wall the back with a solidfuel stove set in pride of placein its centre.As well as this, plus the open

plan living/sun room space,there are a few niche alcoveswith desks and seating spots,

An unerring eye for restoration has ensured this Famine era homeon 30 acres stands out from the crowd, writes Tommy Barker

Pictures: Denis Scannell

>>>

Location: Goleen, West CorkPrice: €695,000Size: 185 sq m. (2,000 sq ft),

30 acresBedrooms: 5BER rating: B3Best feature: Stunning quality, location,

style, and space

timber, and carpets upstairsand in the bedrooms are softunderfoot and wool-rich (see?another reason to keep sheepout in the grounds. It’s acoming trend: grow your ownwool carpets!)There’s an understated

marine feel to some of thedecor, and the owners draftedin the services of freelanceinterior designer SarahMurphy, linked to DesignersLibrary Douglas for somecontacts and advice.Although it has all been done

for nigh on six years now, andthere’s been huge family hustleand bustle here on holiday

visits, the feeling still is almostof brand-new showhousequality, a testament to buyingtop-of the range items andfurniture; it really does standthe test of time.Thus, much of the furniture

was bought in the likes of thevery high-end Bandon shopBelissima and Brown Thomas,as well as Boulevard Interiors,doing well on Cork’sDonnybrook hill, a veryfriendly service and a goodrange, say the delighted ownershere.The kitchen came from

O’Mahony O’Donovan inCarrigaline, and what’s

encouraging in talking to thefamily, who’ve hugely enjoyedtheir years in this retreat, isthe smoothness of it all,professional and craftspeopleall doing a high-level servicewithout need for fuss.Location of this coastal idyll

is off the old, high coast roadfrom Goleen to Crookhavenand Barleycove, privately setbut not isolated, sharing itshillside with a handful of otherrenovated houses which formedthe original Famine village.It’s about four miles from

Goleen and its village servicesand amenities, and acouple of miles from


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GETTHELOOKSome great ideas for you to use inyour home and where to get them

beaches, Crookhaven and its buzzingholiday atmosphere and sailing school.As it comes to market, carrying a €695,000

guide price via agents Charles P McCarthy& Co, the agents have a quiet confidenceabout its sales prospects.“There’s 30 acres of land, privacy, a

feature natural pond for wildlife, no one canever build in front of you or threaten theview, and the house has been so well done,

it’s going to impress anyone who looks atit,” says Maeve McCarthy.The expectation is that viewing will come,

in the main, from UK and ContinentalEuropeans, but it’s of such a mix that someCork buyers might decide to make the jumpas well for a fully-finished package. Justturn on the heating, and by the time the car(or SUV) is unpacked you’ll be snugly athome.

1 2

3 4

5

6

1 Strategically setchairs bywindows forpassive viewtaking

2 Get the drift.Use appropriate‘found’ objectslike driftwoodto set a tone.

3 You don’t needto have a boatto have viewsfrom a deck.Here, thematerial is acomposite tocut down onmaintenancework.

4 Take panes: aninternal windowbetween roomsadds character.

5 Adopt a motif.Here, these wisewords cut into asteel wallplaque advise‘Perhaps Icannot controlthe wind, but Ican adjust mysails’.

6 These hangingdining tablelamps manageto look French,antique andmaritime all atthe same time.

SOURCEBOOK

>>>

Selling agents: Charles P McCarthy & Co,Skibbereen, Co Cork. 028-21533.................................................................................................. .

Architects: Daly Barry & Associates,Glengarriff Road, Bantry, Co Cork.027-51026.................................................................................................. .

Builders: C.H.O.M. Construction Ltd,Goleen, Co Cork. 028-35326.................................................................................................. .

Landscape design: Brian Cross, 021-4821052. www.lakemount.garden.com,.................................................................................................. .

Gardens: Charlie O’Leary, The Pavilion,Ballygarvan. 021-4888134,www.thepavilion.ie

Interior Design: Sarah Murphy, Cork.086-2532163/[email protected]

.................................................................................................. .

Kitchen: O’Mahony & O’Donovan,Station Road, Carrigaline, Co Cork.021-4371605.

.................................................................................................. .

Interiors: Boulevard Interiors, Douglas,Cork 021-4898268, also Belissima.Lexington fabrics, bed linen etc; BrownThomas.


XP1 - V1 XP1 - V1



GETTHELOOKSome great ideas for you to use inyour home and where to get them

beaches, Crookhaven and its buzzingholiday atmosphere and sailing school.As it comes to market, carrying a €695,000

guide price via agents Charles P McCarthy& Co, the agents have a quiet confidenceabout its sales prospects.“There’s 30 acres of land, privacy, a

feature natural pond for wildlife, no one canever build in front of you or threaten theview, and the house has been so well done,

it’s going to impress anyone who looks atit,” says Maeve McCarthy.The expectation is that viewing will come,

in the main, from UK and ContinentalEuropeans, but it’s of such a mix that someCork buyers might decide to make the jumpas well for a fully-finished package. Justturn on the heating, and by the time the car(or SUV) is unpacked you’ll be snugly athome.

1 2

3 4

5

6

1 Strategically setchairs bywindows forpassive viewtaking

2 Get the drift.Use appropriate‘found’ objectslike driftwoodto set a tone.

3 You don’t needto have a boatto have viewsfrom a deck.Here, thematerial is acomposite tocut down onmaintenancework.

4 Take panes: aninternal windowbetween roomsadds character.

5 Adopt a motif.Here, these wisewords cut into asteel wallplaque advise‘Perhaps Icannot controlthe wind, but Ican adjust mysails’.

6 These hangingdining tablelamps manageto look French,antique andmaritime all atthe same time.

SOURCEBOOK

>>>

Selling agents: Charles P McCarthy & Co,Skibbereen, Co Cork. 028-21533.................................................................................................. .

Architects: Daly Barry & Associates,Glengarriff Road, Bantry, Co Cork.027-51026.................................................................................................. .

Builders: C.H.O.M. Construction Ltd,Goleen, Co Cork. 028-35326.................................................................................................. .

Landscape design: Brian Cross, 021-4821052. www.lakemount.garden.com,.................................................................................................. .

Gardens: Charlie O’Leary, The Pavilion,Ballygarvan. 021-4888134,www.thepavilion.ie

Interior Design: Sarah Murphy, Cork.086-2532163/[email protected]

.................................................................................................. .

Kitchen: O’Mahony & O’Donovan,Station Road, Carrigaline, Co Cork.021-4371605.

.................................................................................................. .

Interiors: Boulevard Interiors, Douglas,Cork 021-4898268, also Belissima.Lexington fabrics, bed linen etc; BrownThomas.


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INTERIORS INTERIORS

We take a detailed look atone aspect of the home every week ...

Freshen upCarol O’Callaghan looks at easy and economical ways to bring a new look to your hall, bedroom and living room

PRODUCTWATCHThis week we love...

Semi-transparent devore window treatments offer privacy but allow light to penetrate the fabric. The Wonderland by Swiss brandChristian Fischbacher features flowers set against a trellis effect (fabrics from €40 p/m from MJ Galligan).

CHANGING the look of a roomdoesn’t require a revamp. Justthree products can bring a freshlook to a tired space.

Kitchens and bathrooms respond wellto wear and tear as their fundamentaldesign focuses on practicality and hardlines, but bedrooms and sitting roomswhere the design emphasis is muchsofter, acquire the unfashionable end ofshabbiness rather quickly, while halls,once the beautifully maintained scenefor first impressions, have become adumping ground.

A GRAND ENTRANCEInvariably we have to cross the hall to

get from one room to the next, but sinceadopting the custom of removing shoesin an effort to keep floors clean, we’veinvented another domestic chore, that of

tidying up scattered pairs of shoes. Adedicated shoe tidy, if space permits,has become a necessity for familyhomes, or space for baskets beneath aconsole to get shoes off the floor and outof sight.Halls, especially tiny ones that are

unable to accommodate a table, canbenefit from a radiator cover, the top ofwhich will double up as a place for keysand post. Aesthetically more attractivethan a bare radiator, it can be painted tomatch your décor.Consider a hall mirror for more

than checking your look beforerunning out the door. In a dark hall itwill reflect light, and if you opt for anin-vogue outsize model to lean against awall, it will also give the illusion ofmore space.

BEDDING DOWNComfort is the priority in any

bedroom but it can easily be spoilt bytired linens and stark overhead lighting.As the bed is the dominant piece offurniture, any changes to linens willimpact hugely on the overall look. Ifyou currently have a patterned set, buysome plain for when it’s in the wash.Alternating them will refresh the lookof the room regularly.Choose a bedside lamp or a new shade

if you love your base, but do opt forsomething pale to maximise the amountof light penetrating through it. Pearlisedbulbs cut down on glare, and pink bulbsgive a soft light but without a rosy hue.Experiment with a roll of wallpaper

behind the bed head. It means you don’thave to repaint or face the chore ofpapering an entire room, and it will

bring pattern and colour into anotherwise neutral room if teamed withwhite linens.

SITTING COMFORTABLYA rug, some cushions and a new

window treatment will vamp up yoursitting room but make sure your choicescomplement the room’s existing style.Circular rugs are a lovely alternative torectangles, although generally there arefewer of them around. Pick up on acolour from your décor and matchcushions, opting for circular to workwith your new rug. Curtains and blindsshould last a long time, but hanging avoile brings additional texture andanother layer of interest.

■ Next week we start spring cleaning withtips on how to get clutter off the floor.

Keep the hall looking neat and tidy with some storage and shoe tidy cabinets. Black Stall cabinet €110.80, Tjusig shoe benches €71.15, Branasbaskets €15.24 each (from Ikea).

A new rug can add colour and texture to a neutral interior. Add cushions to pick up on the colour theme for a unified look(Spectrum Abstract rug from M&S, approx €100).

Try applying wallpaper to a single wall to brighten up a room.(Spirit by Graham & Brown at Woodie’s €30 p/roll).

New cushions can help change the look in a room. (SilverLining cushions from www.eboutique.ie €15).

■ Ceramics of the non-functional kind become artworks in thehands of Deirdre De Courcey whose work emphasisesstraight lines and smooth curves influenced by her love ofmodern architecture. Movement and sound areincorporated into her work, which means it can be rocked,rolled or swayed giving it an added almost interactivedimension beyond a static object to be viewed andadmired. Price €160 each from National Sculpture Factory.www.nationalsculturefactory.com

Adding the right comfort

Ruched cushions, so beloved inthe 1970s, are making acomeback, like the roundbutton version from Marks &Spencer (approx €20).

Soft but practical light, a cosy bed and a toe-snuggling rug notonly help to achieve a new look, they bring added comfort too.

A clean white shade allows plentyof light through it to assist withlate night reading (from DunnesStores, approx. €20).

Try a busy floral pattern onyour bed to make a changefrom cool minimalist white(Hydrangea duvet set fromDebenhams €67.50).

Cushioning the financial blow

The petal effect of Littlewoods’round cushion adds texture andinterest and a little wit (€19).

It’s hard to beat the old reliable cushion to bring a fresh look toa room, with little expense involved.

Chic blue, detailed in grey is bangon trend with the Bo Concept AFor Apples cushion (€39).

A round rug like the Dandelionprovides a lovely contrast to thestraight lines of windows andfurniture (from Next Interiors €154).


XP1 - V1 XP1 - V1


INTERIORS INTERIORS

We take a detailed look atone aspect of the home every week ...

Freshen upCarol O’Callaghan looks at easy and economical ways to bring a new look to your hall, bedroom and living room

PRODUCTWATCHThis week we love...

Semi-transparent devore window treatments offer privacy but allow light to penetrate the fabric. The Wonderland by Swiss brandChristian Fischbacher features flowers set against a trellis effect (fabrics from €40 p/m from MJ Galligan).

CHANGING the look of a roomdoesn’t require a revamp. Justthree products can bring a freshlook to a tired space.

Kitchens and bathrooms respond wellto wear and tear as their fundamentaldesign focuses on practicality and hardlines, but bedrooms and sitting roomswhere the design emphasis is muchsofter, acquire the unfashionable end ofshabbiness rather quickly, while halls,once the beautifully maintained scenefor first impressions, have become adumping ground.

A GRAND ENTRANCEInvariably we have to cross the hall to

get from one room to the next, but sinceadopting the custom of removing shoesin an effort to keep floors clean, we’veinvented another domestic chore, that of

tidying up scattered pairs of shoes. Adedicated shoe tidy, if space permits,has become a necessity for familyhomes, or space for baskets beneath aconsole to get shoes off the floor and outof sight.Halls, especially tiny ones that are

unable to accommodate a table, canbenefit from a radiator cover, the top ofwhich will double up as a place for keysand post. Aesthetically more attractivethan a bare radiator, it can be painted tomatch your décor.Consider a hall mirror for more

than checking your look beforerunning out the door. In a dark hall itwill reflect light, and if you opt for anin-vogue outsize model to lean against awall, it will also give the illusion ofmore space.

BEDDING DOWNComfort is the priority in any

bedroom but it can easily be spoilt bytired linens and stark overhead lighting.As the bed is the dominant piece offurniture, any changes to linens willimpact hugely on the overall look. Ifyou currently have a patterned set, buysome plain for when it’s in the wash.Alternating them will refresh the lookof the room regularly.Choose a bedside lamp or a new shade

if you love your base, but do opt forsomething pale to maximise the amountof light penetrating through it. Pearlisedbulbs cut down on glare, and pink bulbsgive a soft light but without a rosy hue.Experiment with a roll of wallpaper

behind the bed head. It means you don’thave to repaint or face the chore ofpapering an entire room, and it will

bring pattern and colour into anotherwise neutral room if teamed withwhite linens.

SITTING COMFORTABLYA rug, some cushions and a new

window treatment will vamp up yoursitting room but make sure your choicescomplement the room’s existing style.Circular rugs are a lovely alternative torectangles, although generally there arefewer of them around. Pick up on acolour from your décor and matchcushions, opting for circular to workwith your new rug. Curtains and blindsshould last a long time, but hanging avoile brings additional texture andanother layer of interest.

■ Next week we start spring cleaning withtips on how to get clutter off the floor.

Keep the hall looking neat and tidy with some storage and shoe tidy cabinets. Black Stall cabinet €110.80, Tjusig shoe benches €71.15, Branasbaskets €15.24 each (from Ikea).

A new rug can add colour and texture to a neutral interior. Add cushions to pick up on the colour theme for a unified look(Spectrum Abstract rug from M&S, approx €100).

Try applying wallpaper to a single wall to brighten up a room.(Spirit by Graham & Brown at Woodie’s €30 p/roll).

New cushions can help change the look in a room. (SilverLining cushions from www.eboutique.ie €15).

■ Ceramics of the non-functional kind become artworks in thehands of Deirdre De Courcey whose work emphasisesstraight lines and smooth curves influenced by her love ofmodern architecture. Movement and sound areincorporated into her work, which means it can be rocked,rolled or swayed giving it an added almost interactivedimension beyond a static object to be viewed andadmired. Price €160 each from National Sculpture Factory.www.nationalsculturefactory.com

Adding the right comfort

Ruched cushions, so beloved inthe 1970s, are making acomeback, like the roundbutton version from Marks &Spencer (approx €20).

Soft but practical light, a cosy bed and a toe-snuggling rug notonly help to achieve a new look, they bring added comfort too.

A clean white shade allows plentyof light through it to assist withlate night reading (from DunnesStores, approx. €20).

Try a busy floral pattern onyour bed to make a changefrom cool minimalist white(Hydrangea duvet set fromDebenhams €67.50).

Cushioning the financial blow

The petal effect of Littlewoods’round cushion adds texture andinterest and a little wit (€19).

It’s hard to beat the old reliable cushion to bring a fresh look toa room, with little expense involved.

Chic blue, detailed in grey is bangon trend with the Bo Concept AFor Apples cushion (€39).

A round rug like the Dandelionprovides a lovely contrast to thestraight lines of windows andfurniture (from Next Interiors €154).


XP1 - V1 XP1 - V1


DIY DIY

DIYTIPSHow to hang your artworkOnce you’ve settled in, it’s time to start putting you into your house. Get thosevulnerable pictures off the floor when the furniture placements are decided.

Q&A Do you have a DIY question you would like answered?Send it to [email protected]

WHAT YOU NEED:

■ Picture in frame with hanging cord attached.

■ Picture hooks or stout screws, two per picture unless very small, then one each.

■ Drill with masonry bit

■ Rawlplugs

■ Stud-finder if going into a frame wall

■ Spirit level

■ A couple of corks, a dab of Blu-Tac and a sharp knife.

Q. I have to hire professional movers.How can I save money without hiringcowboys?

A. You’re right to seek a reputable firm.Don’t take chances. Choose a quiettime to move, avoiding weekends, bankholidays, Fridays and school termbreaks, this should positively affect thequotes. Insist on a detailed quotefollowing a survey from at least threecompanies. Choose a firm with EUCertificate of Professional Competencefor Road Haulage and membership ofthe British Association of Removers.

Q. Moving our own stuff seems anoverwhelming task. How much timeshould we allow to get it done? Dowe need insurance?

A. If you are going DIY, or partiallymanaging the move, two weeks is anabsolute minimum for paring yourliving down to the skeletalsurroundings. Six weeks is just enough

to arrange a large family house whilefitting in the working week, so don’thang around. If you’re using a manwith a van, ensure your householdinsurance is up to date and inclusivefrom one property to another.

Q. We have not sold our house butare moving out, should we leave thehouse empty or set up somefurnishings to make it looked livedin?

A. If you have enough stuff to leave astaging of key pieces, then do so.Yawning empty spaces can frighten offviewers without the imagination toplace their own furniture andbelongings. Ensure the house is warm,clean and fresh smelling for viewings. Ifyou must keep boxes on-site, designateone room and keep things orderly.

■ Answers by Kya deLongchamps.

HOW TO MAKEMOVING HOUSEAN EASIER TASKPacking up house can be a nightmare. Kya deLongchampsoffers suggestions on how to make it as pain-free as possible

1 Select the location for your picture.Ensure it is not likely to be hit bypassing traffic on, say, a stair.Watercolours and photographsshould be placed out of direct light.

2 If the centre of the picture ishigher than 1.5 metres from thefloor you won’t be able to see itcomfortably. Centre it on an adulteyeline.

3 Determine the hanging point anddrill out your two hook positions toprevent the frame swinging.

4 Insert rawlplugs and tap lightly ifusing a masonry wall, followed by amatching hook or screw. Find astud for a frame wall using yourstud finder.

5 Level (on the floor and wall if theyare not true).

6 Cut a couple of thick slices out ofyour cork and use Blu Tac to attachthem to the bottom corners of yourframe from behind. This will let theframe sit firmly and completelyparallel from the wall all around.

YOU WILL NEED:■ Double skinned cardboard boxes in arange of sizes. A specialist packagingfirm can supply these flat-packed.■ Bubble wrap in a large roll.■ Packing paper — plain, tissue andnewspaper. Newspaper can transfer inkto pale surfaces. Use it for the outerskin of wrapping.■ String. Great for tying drawers andwardrobe doors shut where packingtape might lift a polished surface.■ Industrial strength packing tape. Begor borrow a hand held tape reel with anintegral serrated cutter.■ Retractable razor knife.■ Blankets for larger furniture.■ Bin bags — great to coral heaps ofclothes before boxing.■ A large pair or two of scissors.■ Pens, an A4 notepad, clipboard andpaper labels in a variety of colours.■ Tape measure.■ Digital camera. Record the sequenceof taking anything complex to pieces.

THE FLIGHT PLAN: With some forwardplanning your belongings will neatlywing their way to their ideal location inyour new home.■ Create a rough floorplan of your newhome assigning names (eg, bedroomone, upstairs corridor) or even coloursto each destination area.■ As you progress, write the destinationarea on the side of each box (not the topwhere stacking will obscure it). Largecoloured labels are easy to spot in acliff-face of boxes.■ Create a careful inventory of thecontents of each box and assign the boxa number. Write this number and arough inventory on the box (eg Box 6.Books on gardening). Put the detailedinventory inside before sealing up thebox.■ Keep a list of the boxes by theirnumbers and rough inventoryseparately and with your personal bagswhen you move.■ Put the boxes together in destinationarea groups so that they come off thevan together and go to their areatogether.■ Before the movers arrive at your newhome, post up a copy of the house planin the entrance way for reference, withthe names of the destination areas onthe floorplan.

BOXING CLEVER:■ Pack smaller boxes at waist level tosave your back.■ Check the bases of any recycled boxesfor staples that may scratch your newfloors when rudely dumped.■ Place small items together in largerboxes and larger items in smaller boxes.■ Don’t pack boxes to be heavier thanthe weakest adult involved can lift. 15Kgis a reasonable maximum.■ In a mixed box, place heavy items onthe bottom and lighter items on the top.Cushion those yawning gaps with balled

DON’T PACK:■ Safe box— these contain your vitaldocuments (including the inventory ofboxes) and personal props such as yourhandbag, passports, laptop computers,insurance documents, address books,jewellery and so on. Lock this box in theboot of your car just before the moversarrive on the big day.■ Your survival kit of toiletries,including a change of clothes, toys foryoung children, loo roll, vital telephonenumbers, a charged mobile phone andlaptop, a snack box, kettle and tea/coffee things.■ Fragile, valuable items requiringspecialist treatment (valuable paintingsetc). Leave these in the hands of theprofessionals, along with your mainfurnishings.■ Anything flammable, combustible,perishable, liquid or otherwisehazardous.

■ Pet wise: Your dog or cat is better left at aboarding kennels or with trusted friends onmoving day. The will be distressed by allthe activity and may well bolt.

S ECOND only to death anddivorce, moving house is anightmare for most of us. Timeis the enemy, so if you have the

idea of jumping ship, three months isnot too long a period to startmeticulously planning an orderly exit.

LIGHTENING THE LOAD (AND THEBILL): Paying a premium price to haveunwanted items stalk you to your newhome is madness. Use the first periodfor a soul freeing purge. Go through thehouse identifying things to recycle, giftor bin. You can take this process rightdown to the last day, keeping a charitybox at the ready as you unearth detritusbehind drawers and doors, but the mainballast should be long gone before themovers arrive. Ask friends andneighbours in to take a look (everyoneloves a freebie).Most moving companies offer a part-

pack or simple un-pack service, so doingsome of the work yourself can slash abudget. You can elect to have heavier,awkward or fragile items handled bythe pros and have the family handle therest. The more information your moverhas the more accurate their quote willbe. An on-site survey, room by roomand provided free by most movingfirms, will get the number nailed down.Your potential movers, will provide youwith a good idea of exactly what youneed, together with a range of priceoptions for varying levels of DIYpacking and even the packing materialsitself.

SPECIAL TREATMENT:■ Plates should be well wrapped andplaced in tight groups on edge. Placewrapped glasses and cups upright, andnest bowls together in groups of 2 or 3wrapped together and packed flat.■ Pack books on edge in small boxes inlogical groups.■ If you don’t have a fast-freezeprogramme on your freezer, empty it wellahead. Secure the shelving in your fridge.Tape electrical cords up to the back of theappliance.■ Secure the drum of your washingmachine with the moving bracket.■ Dismantle any furniture, fittings or

play equipment that will not move out inone piece (your mover may expect this).Keep nuts and bolts in a sealed plasticbag securely taped to the largest element.■ Leave clothes in drawers, and useboxes and suitcases for the rest.■ Drain fuel from any garden machineryand put your garden furnitureundercover the night before the move toensure it isn’t dripping wet.■ Overseas haulers routinely catagoriseplace houseplants under ‘dead’ in theinventory. Their chances of survival areslim to none. Put your darlings in tallcontainers to protect foliage with perhapsan extra cane for support.

up wrapping paper to prevent shifting.■ Tape up small wrapped items tohighlight their existence and to avoidseeing them shaken out with thenewspaper or even thrown out bymistake.■ If your boxes are going into storage,tape all edges to prevent insectscrawling inside. Taping edges will re-enforce the strength of your boxes whenstacked.■ Fragile boxes should carry the word‘Fragile’ in large block capitals on everyside.

■ Go Further: Group pictures, imagining a frame around them all, with spacesclose enough to suggest a relationship, but far apart enough for each work to‘breathe’. A horizontal line or pictures can lengthen a stuffy wall.


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DIY DIY

DIYTIPSHow to hang your artworkOnce you’ve settled in, it’s time to start putting you into your house. Get thosevulnerable pictures off the floor when the furniture placements are decided.

Q&A Do you have a DIY question you would like answered?Send it to [email protected]

WHAT YOU NEED:

■ Picture in frame with hanging cord attached.

■ Picture hooks or stout screws, two per picture unless very small, then one each.

■ Drill with masonry bit

■ Rawlplugs

■ Stud-finder if going into a frame wall

■ Spirit level

■ A couple of corks, a dab of Blu-Tac and a sharp knife.

Q. I have to hire professional movers.How can I save money without hiringcowboys?

A. You’re right to seek a reputable firm.Don’t take chances. Choose a quiettime to move, avoiding weekends, bankholidays, Fridays and school termbreaks, this should positively affect thequotes. Insist on a detailed quotefollowing a survey from at least threecompanies. Choose a firm with EUCertificate of Professional Competencefor Road Haulage and membership ofthe British Association of Removers.

Q. Moving our own stuff seems anoverwhelming task. How much timeshould we allow to get it done? Dowe need insurance?

A. If you are going DIY, or partiallymanaging the move, two weeks is anabsolute minimum for paring yourliving down to the skeletalsurroundings. Six weeks is just enough

to arrange a large family house whilefitting in the working week, so don’thang around. If you’re using a manwith a van, ensure your householdinsurance is up to date and inclusivefrom one property to another.

Q. We have not sold our house butare moving out, should we leave thehouse empty or set up somefurnishings to make it looked livedin?

A. If you have enough stuff to leave astaging of key pieces, then do so.Yawning empty spaces can frighten offviewers without the imagination toplace their own furniture andbelongings. Ensure the house is warm,clean and fresh smelling for viewings. Ifyou must keep boxes on-site, designateone room and keep things orderly.

■ Answers by Kya deLongchamps.

HOW TO MAKEMOVING HOUSEAN EASIER TASKPacking up house can be a nightmare. Kya deLongchampsoffers suggestions on how to make it as pain-free as possible

1 Select the location for your picture.Ensure it is not likely to be hit bypassing traffic on, say, a stair.Watercolours and photographsshould be placed out of direct light.

2 If the centre of the picture ishigher than 1.5 metres from thefloor you won’t be able to see itcomfortably. Centre it on an adulteyeline.

3 Determine the hanging point anddrill out your two hook positions toprevent the frame swinging.

4 Insert rawlplugs and tap lightly ifusing a masonry wall, followed by amatching hook or screw. Find astud for a frame wall using yourstud finder.

5 Level (on the floor and wall if theyare not true).

6 Cut a couple of thick slices out ofyour cork and use Blu Tac to attachthem to the bottom corners of yourframe from behind. This will let theframe sit firmly and completelyparallel from the wall all around.

YOU WILL NEED:■ Double skinned cardboard boxes in arange of sizes. A specialist packagingfirm can supply these flat-packed.■ Bubble wrap in a large roll.■ Packing paper — plain, tissue andnewspaper. Newspaper can transfer inkto pale surfaces. Use it for the outerskin of wrapping.■ String. Great for tying drawers andwardrobe doors shut where packingtape might lift a polished surface.■ Industrial strength packing tape. Begor borrow a hand held tape reel with anintegral serrated cutter.■ Retractable razor knife.■ Blankets for larger furniture.■ Bin bags — great to coral heaps ofclothes before boxing.■ A large pair or two of scissors.■ Pens, an A4 notepad, clipboard andpaper labels in a variety of colours.■ Tape measure.■ Digital camera. Record the sequenceof taking anything complex to pieces.

THE FLIGHT PLAN: With some forwardplanning your belongings will neatlywing their way to their ideal location inyour new home.■ Create a rough floorplan of your newhome assigning names (eg, bedroomone, upstairs corridor) or even coloursto each destination area.■ As you progress, write the destinationarea on the side of each box (not the topwhere stacking will obscure it). Largecoloured labels are easy to spot in acliff-face of boxes.■ Create a careful inventory of thecontents of each box and assign the boxa number. Write this number and arough inventory on the box (eg Box 6.Books on gardening). Put the detailedinventory inside before sealing up thebox.■ Keep a list of the boxes by theirnumbers and rough inventoryseparately and with your personal bagswhen you move.■ Put the boxes together in destinationarea groups so that they come off thevan together and go to their areatogether.■ Before the movers arrive at your newhome, post up a copy of the house planin the entrance way for reference, withthe names of the destination areas onthe floorplan.

BOXING CLEVER:■ Pack smaller boxes at waist level tosave your back.■ Check the bases of any recycled boxesfor staples that may scratch your newfloors when rudely dumped.■ Place small items together in largerboxes and larger items in smaller boxes.■ Don’t pack boxes to be heavier thanthe weakest adult involved can lift. 15Kgis a reasonable maximum.■ In a mixed box, place heavy items onthe bottom and lighter items on the top.Cushion those yawning gaps with balled

DON’T PACK:■ Safe box— these contain your vitaldocuments (including the inventory ofboxes) and personal props such as yourhandbag, passports, laptop computers,insurance documents, address books,jewellery and so on. Lock this box in theboot of your car just before the moversarrive on the big day.■ Your survival kit of toiletries,including a change of clothes, toys foryoung children, loo roll, vital telephonenumbers, a charged mobile phone andlaptop, a snack box, kettle and tea/coffee things.■ Fragile, valuable items requiringspecialist treatment (valuable paintingsetc). Leave these in the hands of theprofessionals, along with your mainfurnishings.■ Anything flammable, combustible,perishable, liquid or otherwisehazardous.

■ Pet wise: Your dog or cat is better left at aboarding kennels or with trusted friends onmoving day. The will be distressed by allthe activity and may well bolt.

S ECOND only to death anddivorce, moving house is anightmare for most of us. Timeis the enemy, so if you have the

idea of jumping ship, three months isnot too long a period to startmeticulously planning an orderly exit.

LIGHTENING THE LOAD (AND THEBILL): Paying a premium price to haveunwanted items stalk you to your newhome is madness. Use the first periodfor a soul freeing purge. Go through thehouse identifying things to recycle, giftor bin. You can take this process rightdown to the last day, keeping a charitybox at the ready as you unearth detritusbehind drawers and doors, but the mainballast should be long gone before themovers arrive. Ask friends andneighbours in to take a look (everyoneloves a freebie).Most moving companies offer a part-

pack or simple un-pack service, so doingsome of the work yourself can slash abudget. You can elect to have heavier,awkward or fragile items handled bythe pros and have the family handle therest. The more information your moverhas the more accurate their quote willbe. An on-site survey, room by roomand provided free by most movingfirms, will get the number nailed down.Your potential movers, will provide youwith a good idea of exactly what youneed, together with a range of priceoptions for varying levels of DIYpacking and even the packing materialsitself.

SPECIAL TREATMENT:■ Plates should be well wrapped andplaced in tight groups on edge. Placewrapped glasses and cups upright, andnest bowls together in groups of 2 or 3wrapped together and packed flat.■ Pack books on edge in small boxes inlogical groups.■ If you don’t have a fast-freezeprogramme on your freezer, empty it wellahead. Secure the shelving in your fridge.Tape electrical cords up to the back of theappliance.■ Secure the drum of your washingmachine with the moving bracket.■ Dismantle any furniture, fittings or

play equipment that will not move out inone piece (your mover may expect this).Keep nuts and bolts in a sealed plasticbag securely taped to the largest element.■ Leave clothes in drawers, and useboxes and suitcases for the rest.■ Drain fuel from any garden machineryand put your garden furnitureundercover the night before the move toensure it isn’t dripping wet.■ Overseas haulers routinely catagoriseplace houseplants under ‘dead’ in theinventory. Their chances of survival areslim to none. Put your darlings in tallcontainers to protect foliage with perhapsan extra cane for support.

up wrapping paper to prevent shifting.■ Tape up small wrapped items tohighlight their existence and to avoidseeing them shaken out with thenewspaper or even thrown out bymistake.■ If your boxes are going into storage,tape all edges to prevent insectscrawling inside. Taping edges will re-enforce the strength of your boxes whenstacked.■ Fragile boxes should carry the word‘Fragile’ in large block capitals on everyside.

■ Go Further: Group pictures, imagining a frame around them all, with spacesclose enough to suggest a relationship, but far apart enough for each work to‘breathe’. A horizontal line or pictures can lengthen a stuffy wall.


XP1 - V1 XP1 - V1


WISH LISTWith spring on its way and decorating projects planned,you’re bound to want a few new things to liven up a tiredinterior. Carol O’Callaghan helps put your wish list together

Don’t be tempted to buy a dozen kitchen knives, it’s a falseeconomy. Just buy two or three really good ones to suit allpurposes and they’ll last a lifetime, like the Sabatier range (€85from Meadows & Byrne, Debenhams and Delia’s Kitchen Shop).

The two-in-one lamp is a floor option which willfree up table top space and double your lamplight in one go (from M&S approx. €150).

Wide guage stripes and floral petals decorate anew spring cushion from Dunnes Stores (approx. €7).

Lovers of themed dinner parties might like somechopsticks for scooping up delicious chow mein (set offour Ching sticks €12 at Debenhams).

Bakers looking for stylish kitchen kit might like to check out the Talaflour sifter with its retro branding (€12.50 at Meadows & Byrne).

Bring some Parisian chic to your home with thisEiffel Cushion from Bonjour Mon Coussin fromwww.homebarn.ie. Price €12.50, reduced from €25.

Belleek has a new range for 2012. This floral twistlamp is available from www.belleek.ie for €39.

Belleek’s new range include these Lattice threevotives and tray €34 from www.belleek.ie

A few stylish cooking utensils are always handy and will hang beautifully inyour kitchen (Bamboo tools from Meadows & Byrne €13.50).

Nautical themes can be overwhelmed withanchor motifs. Paul Costelloe takes thesubtle approach of a line drawing in his newcushion for Dunnes Stores (approx. €20).

So, you got the coffee maker for Christmas. Now you need thebean grinder (Classic mill from www.cubascoffee.com €29).

Introduce some statement lighting in a room to help anew look along (Veron floor lamp €90 from Next Interiors).


XP1 - V1 XP1 - V1


WISH LISTWith spring on its way and decorating projects planned,you’re bound to want a few new things to liven up a tiredinterior. Carol O’Callaghan helps put your wish list together

Don’t be tempted to buy a dozen kitchen knives, it’s a falseeconomy. Just buy two or three really good ones to suit allpurposes and they’ll last a lifetime, like the Sabatier range (€85from Meadows & Byrne, Debenhams and Delia’s Kitchen Shop).

The two-in-one lamp is a floor option which willfree up table top space and double your lamplight in one go (from M&S approx. €150).

Wide guage stripes and floral petals decorate anew spring cushion from Dunnes Stores (approx. €7).

Lovers of themed dinner parties might like somechopsticks for scooping up delicious chow mein (set offour Ching sticks €12 at Debenhams).

Bakers looking for stylish kitchen kit might like to check out the Talaflour sifter with its retro branding (€12.50 at Meadows & Byrne).

Bring some Parisian chic to your home with thisEiffel Cushion from Bonjour Mon Coussin fromwww.homebarn.ie. Price €12.50, reduced from €25.

Belleek has a new range for 2012. This floral twistlamp is available from www.belleek.ie for €39.

Belleek’s new range include these Lattice threevotives and tray €34 from www.belleek.ie

A few stylish cooking utensils are always handy and will hang beautifully inyour kitchen (Bamboo tools from Meadows & Byrne €13.50).

Nautical themes can be overwhelmed withanchor motifs. Paul Costelloe takes thesubtle approach of a line drawing in his newcushion for Dunnes Stores (approx. €20).

So, you got the coffee maker for Christmas. Now you need thebean grinder (Classic mill from www.cubascoffee.com €29).

Introduce some statement lighting in a room to help anew look along (Veron floor lamp €90 from Next Interiors).


XP1 - V2 XP1 - V2


WEB WATCH

ASK THEINTERIORS HOME ECONOMICS

The AURA PLUS allows two people to enjoy deepimmersion. Choose from two hydromassage options using 6Jacuzzi jets and rotating back jets. The deck comes in twowood or three Italian marble choices from OB Heating.

DESIGNER

Every week Sue O’Connor picks her top three interiors sites. If you have afavourite you’d like to see featured, email: [email protected]

1 Nest Kenmare

Feathering our nests is gettingeasier with all the online treatsavailable to us. This site is adds to thecause. Based in Kenmare, Co Kerry,the shop gets its name from the Irishfor Kenmare, Neidín, which meanslittle nest. Check out their heart-shaped dessert spoons — perfect forsomething quirky at dinner parties.It has a homeware section butalso delves into toys, clothes, booksand seasonal products. For a limitedtime, it is offering free shipping onevery item purchased through thewebsite.

■ www.nestkenmare.ie

2 Industry

The captains of industry outthere or those who love an edgyindustrial look for their home will likethis site. Based out of a shop inTemple Bar in Dublin, it is a WillieWonka-style emporium of industrial,vintage, upcycled and new things. Itsells furniture, lighting, artwork,textiles and accessories. For anymovie producers out there, it alsoprovides a rental service for props fora film, photo shoot or set design.So if you are looking for somethinglike, oh I don’t know, an industrialpostal desk, this site is for you.

■ www.industrydesign.ie

3 OB Heating

If you are looking to do upyour bathroom check out this sitefirst. You might get a few ideas thatcould change your space fromsomething functional to a designfeature of your home. Their jacuzzibaths look amazing... you can almostfeel the tension dissolve from yourback as you imagine dipping into one.The site also delves into all thingsheating and plumbing, so what cansometimes be a dull-to-look-at topicis presented clearly and brightly onthese webpages. It also has a virtualtour of its Cork premises to see whatis in store.

■ www.obcork.ie

Speaking in broad termsWeigh up the options before you select the right broadband option for your home, Kya deLongchamps reports

B ROADBAND, that fast up to theminute connectivity to theinternet, has becomesomething of an essential for

the family home. Being off-line nowinfuses the same wide-eyed panicamong otherwise sensible grown upsformerly reserved for the power lettingus down at dusk on a school night.Choosing an internet service provider(ISP) can be complicated, as theservices and deals vary wildly and theterminology, such as download speeds,and packets, turn informationtechnology to consumer fog.The joy of broadband through a DSL

(Digital Service Line), cable or wirelessIPS, is that we can now enjoy instantentertainment without a perceptible lagto download the music, film ordocuments as we did with thatstuttering dial-up feeling. Often the fileinvolved downloads faster than it takesit to play, something known as‘streaming.’ The information arrives asinstantaneous packets, delivering fastflicking pages when browsing anduninterrupted, clear visuals vital to theteenage (and adult) cult of live gaming.With 4mb broadband you can expect todownload a five minute song in just 10seconds, a task that would have taken56K dial-up connections over 12minutes to complete. If you want tospend more time at home you can logonto the office in real time, makingremote working a practical prospect.

ESSENTIAL JARGON

DOWNLOAD SPEED: This is how fastinformation (termed data) will arrive toyour computer from a source on theInternet. For large files such as movies,a fast download speed means lessfrustration.

UPLOAD SPEED: This is how fast datawill be delivered from your computer tothe internet, for example when gaming,you need fast upload speeds to keep inplay with a remote player. Downloadand upload speeds are measured inkilobytes per second or the largermegabytes per second (Kbps and Mbps).

NETWORK: This is if you have morethan one computer in the house andthey are all connected to the internetvia what is termed your ‘homenetwork.’ Your download and uploadspeeds will be influenced if more thanone person is online at a time, andlikely to be slower than that quoted byyour supplier during these periods.

CAP: Meaning the amount of data youare allowed to transfer per month. ISPsreserve the right to charge permegabyte (MB) if you go above the capstated for your deal. If you spend hoursonline, have multiple users anddownload a lot of music and film, the

cap will be important. If you justbrowse the Internet and use email, lessso. Some service providers have no setcap.

ADSL/SDSL (DSL): AsymmetricalDigital Line Service and SymmetricalDigital Service Line broadband aredelivered through your existingEircom telephone line, using amodem or router. It has no effecton your existing phone line andyou can use both at once unlikedial up. SDSL uploads and downloads atthe same speed, while ADSL hasdifferent speeds for uploads anddownloads.

CABLE: If you have a cable TV service,you can receive broadband via thesame cable. This is more likely in anurban situation, but worth consideringas a bundled package deal. Speeds arecomparable to DSL.

With 4mb broadband youcan expect to download afive minute song in just10 seconds, a task thatwould have taken 56Kdial-up connections over12 minutes to complete

If you spend hours online, have multiple users and download a lot of music and film, the cap limitwill impact on your service.

Choosing aprovider that’sright for youThe current providers of ASDL, SDSL, LLU(local loop unbundling) and wirelessbroadband in Ireland include: Imagine, BTBroadband, Magnet, Eircom, O2,Vodaphone, Digiweb, and Irish Broadband,UPC (cable) and UTV Internet.

■ The first thing to determine is whichproviders cover your immediate area.

■ Deals can be bundled with landlinetelephone, TV and mobile phone service oroffered as a single service, so if you have aprovider of other utilities see what they cando for you.

■ Upload, download and caps will vary andterms and conditions can be limited, soread the small print before committing to aset term contract. 12 months is a long timein the wrong deal.

■ Some providers will offer free installationof their service, and prices per month startfrom around €40 for moderate speeds anda reasonable cap.

■ You can compare the deals on offer frommost Irish providers through the sitewww.broadbandireland.ie. You can test theoperating speed of your current broadbandconnection instantly, useful if you’re unsureof the performance of your ISP and yourhome network and considering a change.

■ Bonkers.ie (www.bonkers.ie) include thefurther providers including Perlico,Clearwire, Onwave and many others intheir comparison site. Otherwise, go to thewebsites of your prospective service or calltheir sales department to get a quote foryour individual needs.

Interior designer Denise Walsh, of Donovan Walsh DesignLtd in Limerick, www.donovanwalshdesign.com, answers allyour attic conversion questions. Email: [email protected]

Above: Attic conversion by Donovan Walsh Design Ltd. Below: Ideas for an attic conversion.

Q My wife wants to convertour attic, but I’m not sosure — can you convertme?

A. Attics often becomerepositories for old memories — boxesof baby clothes, Christmas decorationsand luggage are items that get slung upthe Stira and are forgotten. With somany homeowners unable to move upthe property ladder, it may be time tolook at the possibilities above yourhead. Although it’s hard to imaginethrough the pile of junk and cobwebs,an attic could be converted into an en-suite bedroom, office or yoga room. Calla builder or attic conversion specialist,such as Loftstyle.ie, to find out if yourattic can be converted.

Q. Do I need planning permission toconvert my attic into a playroom?

A. It depends. There are two types ofattic conversion — ‘roofline’ or‘dormer’. Planning permission is notrequired for a Velux/rooflight loftconversion as the shape of the roof isn’taltered or extended. Dormer loft-conversion increases the space andhead height, so planning permissionmay be required if it exceeds the“permitted development allowance” —which states that no part of the newstructure should rise above the highestexisting part of the roof or exceed thecurrent floor-plan boundary. If yourproperty is in a conservation area,restrictions may apply.Even if you don’t need planning you

may still need to hire an architect orstructural engineer to ensure yourconversion meets building regulations.

Q. OK, so we’ve decided to go for aroofline conversion — so how do wemaximise the space available?

A. Attic spaces are awkward. Theyusually have long, low ceilings withsharp-rising eaves and rooflights thatare low to the ground. The trick is tokeep the taller spaces as free as possiblefor ease of movement. Consider thelayout carefully — for example, thereshould be enough headroom by the deskor bed for an average-height person tomove around without having to stoop.Make the most of the eaves, which are‘dead’ space with built-in storage. Oneidea is a unit that starts with storage atthe lowest point and rises into a lovely,deep desk on which to spread your workout.

Q. Now that the attic is finished, anyadvice on how to decorate it?

A. It’s best to keep your converted atticlight, bright and streamlined. Go for asoft white on the walls to create acalmness that isn’t cold — myfavourites are Farrow & Ball‘pointing’ or ‘slipper satin’. Contrastthis with a warm, earthy tone such asFarrow & Ball ‘stony ground’. Optfor a light-wood veneer, such aslimed oak, and choose plain,neutral, durable carpet to helpmake the space feel as largeas possible. Avoid hanging lightsat all costs. Recessed light fixtures,accent lighting in the corners andbedside or desk lighting willgive the room a warm glow. Finishwith some colourful artwork,cushions or an upholsteredchair.

WIRELESS BROADBAND: Availablethrough independent firms using lineof sight masts, and the existing networkof the mobile telephone companies O2,Vodaphone and Meteor, wirelessbroadband can be the answer to aprayer if you live in a broadband blackspot. You can use a ‘dongle’ from yourmobile phone service provider pluggedinto your USB port to roam with yourlaptop. Speeds can be slower than DSLand CAPs more limited.

SATELLITE BROADBAND: Formerlywildly expensive, satellite broadband(another form of wireless broadband)has become far more affordablethrough 6-10mb deals on offer from newproviders Onwave (www.onwave.ie).Ideal if you find yourself unable to get awired service and mobile providersdon’t suit, Onwave can get youbroadband no matter where yourhouse is parked. Installation charge€129.


XP1 - V2 XP1 - V2


WEB WATCH

ASK THEINTERIORS HOME ECONOMICS

The AURA PLUS allows two people to enjoy deepimmersion. Choose from two hydromassage options using 6Jacuzzi jets and rotating back jets. The deck comes in twowood or three Italian marble choices from OB Heating.

DESIGNER

Every week Sue O’Connor picks her top three interiors sites. If you have afavourite you’d like to see featured, email: [email protected]

1 Nest Kenmare

Feathering our nests is gettingeasier with all the online treatsavailable to us. This site is adds to thecause. Based in Kenmare, Co Kerry,the shop gets its name from the Irishfor Kenmare, Neidín, which meanslittle nest. Check out their heart-shaped dessert spoons — perfect forsomething quirky at dinner parties.It has a homeware section butalso delves into toys, clothes, booksand seasonal products. For a limitedtime, it is offering free shipping onevery item purchased through thewebsite.

■ www.nestkenmare.ie

2 Industry

The captains of industry outthere or those who love an edgyindustrial look for their home will likethis site. Based out of a shop inTemple Bar in Dublin, it is a WillieWonka-style emporium of industrial,vintage, upcycled and new things. Itsells furniture, lighting, artwork,textiles and accessories. For anymovie producers out there, it alsoprovides a rental service for props fora film, photo shoot or set design.So if you are looking for somethinglike, oh I don’t know, an industrialpostal desk, this site is for you.

■ www.industrydesign.ie

3 OB Heating

If you are looking to do upyour bathroom check out this sitefirst. You might get a few ideas thatcould change your space fromsomething functional to a designfeature of your home. Their jacuzzibaths look amazing... you can almostfeel the tension dissolve from yourback as you imagine dipping into one.The site also delves into all thingsheating and plumbing, so what cansometimes be a dull-to-look-at topicis presented clearly and brightly onthese webpages. It also has a virtualtour of its Cork premises to see whatis in store.

■ www.obcork.ie

Speaking in broad termsWeigh up the options before you select the right broadband option for your home, Kya deLongchamps reports

B ROADBAND, that fast up to theminute connectivity to theinternet, has becomesomething of an essential for

the family home. Being off-line nowinfuses the same wide-eyed panicamong otherwise sensible grown upsformerly reserved for the power lettingus down at dusk on a school night.Choosing an internet service provider(ISP) can be complicated, as theservices and deals vary wildly and theterminology, such as download speeds,and packets, turn informationtechnology to consumer fog.The joy of broadband through a DSL

(Digital Service Line), cable or wirelessIPS, is that we can now enjoy instantentertainment without a perceptible lagto download the music, film ordocuments as we did with thatstuttering dial-up feeling. Often the fileinvolved downloads faster than it takesit to play, something known as‘streaming.’ The information arrives asinstantaneous packets, delivering fastflicking pages when browsing anduninterrupted, clear visuals vital to theteenage (and adult) cult of live gaming.With 4mb broadband you can expect todownload a five minute song in just 10seconds, a task that would have taken56K dial-up connections over 12minutes to complete. If you want tospend more time at home you can logonto the office in real time, makingremote working a practical prospect.

ESSENTIAL JARGON

DOWNLOAD SPEED: This is how fastinformation (termed data) will arrive toyour computer from a source on theInternet. For large files such as movies,a fast download speed means lessfrustration.

UPLOAD SPEED: This is how fast datawill be delivered from your computer tothe internet, for example when gaming,you need fast upload speeds to keep inplay with a remote player. Downloadand upload speeds are measured inkilobytes per second or the largermegabytes per second (Kbps and Mbps).

NETWORK: This is if you have morethan one computer in the house andthey are all connected to the internetvia what is termed your ‘homenetwork.’ Your download and uploadspeeds will be influenced if more thanone person is online at a time, andlikely to be slower than that quoted byyour supplier during these periods.

CAP: Meaning the amount of data youare allowed to transfer per month. ISPsreserve the right to charge permegabyte (MB) if you go above the capstated for your deal. If you spend hoursonline, have multiple users anddownload a lot of music and film, the

cap will be important. If you justbrowse the Internet and use email, lessso. Some service providers have no setcap.

ADSL/SDSL (DSL): AsymmetricalDigital Line Service and SymmetricalDigital Service Line broadband aredelivered through your existingEircom telephone line, using amodem or router. It has no effecton your existing phone line andyou can use both at once unlikedial up. SDSL uploads and downloads atthe same speed, while ADSL hasdifferent speeds for uploads anddownloads.

CABLE: If you have a cable TV service,you can receive broadband via thesame cable. This is more likely in anurban situation, but worth consideringas a bundled package deal. Speeds arecomparable to DSL.

With 4mb broadband youcan expect to download afive minute song in just10 seconds, a task thatwould have taken 56Kdial-up connections over12 minutes to complete

If you spend hours online, have multiple users and download a lot of music and film, the cap limitwill impact on your service.

Choosing aprovider that’sright for youThe current providers of ASDL, SDSL, LLU(local loop unbundling) and wirelessbroadband in Ireland include: Imagine, BTBroadband, Magnet, Eircom, O2,Vodaphone, Digiweb, and Irish Broadband,UPC (cable) and UTV Internet.

■ The first thing to determine is whichproviders cover your immediate area.

■ Deals can be bundled with landlinetelephone, TV and mobile phone service oroffered as a single service, so if you have aprovider of other utilities see what they cando for you.

■ Upload, download and caps will vary andterms and conditions can be limited, soread the small print before committing to aset term contract. 12 months is a long timein the wrong deal.

■ Some providers will offer free installationof their service, and prices per month startfrom around €40 for moderate speeds anda reasonable cap.

■ You can compare the deals on offer frommost Irish providers through the sitewww.broadbandireland.ie. You can test theoperating speed of your current broadbandconnection instantly, useful if you’re unsureof the performance of your ISP and yourhome network and considering a change.

■ Bonkers.ie (www.bonkers.ie) include thefurther providers including Perlico,Clearwire, Onwave and many others intheir comparison site. Otherwise, go to thewebsites of your prospective service or calltheir sales department to get a quote foryour individual needs.

Interior designer Denise Walsh, of Donovan Walsh DesignLtd in Limerick, www.donovanwalshdesign.com, answers allyour attic conversion questions. Email: [email protected]

Above: Attic conversion by Donovan Walsh Design Ltd. Below: Ideas for an attic conversion.

Q My wife wants to convertour attic, but I’m not sosure — can you convertme?

A. Attics often becomerepositories for old memories — boxesof baby clothes, Christmas decorationsand luggage are items that get slung upthe Stira and are forgotten. With somany homeowners unable to move upthe property ladder, it may be time tolook at the possibilities above yourhead. Although it’s hard to imaginethrough the pile of junk and cobwebs,an attic could be converted into an en-suite bedroom, office or yoga room. Calla builder or attic conversion specialist,such as Loftstyle.ie, to find out if yourattic can be converted.

Q. Do I need planning permission toconvert my attic into a playroom?

A. It depends. There are two types ofattic conversion — ‘roofline’ or‘dormer’. Planning permission is notrequired for a Velux/rooflight loftconversion as the shape of the roof isn’taltered or extended. Dormer loft-conversion increases the space andhead height, so planning permissionmay be required if it exceeds the“permitted development allowance” —which states that no part of the newstructure should rise above the highestexisting part of the roof or exceed thecurrent floor-plan boundary. If yourproperty is in a conservation area,restrictions may apply.Even if you don’t need planning you

may still need to hire an architect orstructural engineer to ensure yourconversion meets building regulations.

Q. OK, so we’ve decided to go for aroofline conversion — so how do wemaximise the space available?

A. Attic spaces are awkward. Theyusually have long, low ceilings withsharp-rising eaves and rooflights thatare low to the ground. The trick is tokeep the taller spaces as free as possiblefor ease of movement. Consider thelayout carefully — for example, thereshould be enough headroom by the deskor bed for an average-height person tomove around without having to stoop.Make the most of the eaves, which are‘dead’ space with built-in storage. Oneidea is a unit that starts with storage atthe lowest point and rises into a lovely,deep desk on which to spread your workout.

Q. Now that the attic is finished, anyadvice on how to decorate it?

A. It’s best to keep your converted atticlight, bright and streamlined. Go for asoft white on the walls to create acalmness that isn’t cold — myfavourites are Farrow & Ball‘pointing’ or ‘slipper satin’. Contrastthis with a warm, earthy tone such asFarrow & Ball ‘stony ground’. Optfor a light-wood veneer, such aslimed oak, and choose plain,neutral, durable carpet to helpmake the space feel as largeas possible. Avoid hanging lightsat all costs. Recessed light fixtures,accent lighting in the corners andbedside or desk lighting willgive the room a warm glow. Finishwith some colourful artwork,cushions or an upholsteredchair.

WIRELESS BROADBAND: Availablethrough independent firms using lineof sight masts, and the existing networkof the mobile telephone companies O2,Vodaphone and Meteor, wirelessbroadband can be the answer to aprayer if you live in a broadband blackspot. You can use a ‘dongle’ from yourmobile phone service provider pluggedinto your USB port to roam with yourlaptop. Speeds can be slower than DSLand CAPs more limited.

SATELLITE BROADBAND: Formerlywildly expensive, satellite broadband(another form of wireless broadband)has become far more affordablethrough 6-10mb deals on offer from newproviders Onwave (www.onwave.ie).Ideal if you find yourself unable to get awired service and mobile providersdon’t suit, Onwave can get youbroadband no matter where yourhouse is parked. Installation charge€129.


XP1 - V1 XP1 - V1


IN THE GARDEN IN THE GARDEN

WORK FOR THE WEEK by Charlie Wilkins

by Charlie Wilkins

GARDENNOTES■ Reserve Mar 3, for the Bellefield Plant Fair at

Bellfield House, Shinrone (between Birr andRoscrea) Co Offaly. Over 20 specialistnurseries will be offering new, unusual andrare varieties of snowdrops, hellebores,clematis, hepatica, trillium, and cardamine.Art will be shown in the stable courtyard,and talks on snowdrops, hellebores andother spring plants in the coach-house.Enjoy homemade teas in the Stable tearoomand stroll around the walled garden andwoodland, enjoying the spring snowdrops,crocus, narcissus and other spring plants.

■ Reminder that the winter garden of HesterForde, Coosheen, Glounthaune, Co Cork, willopen for the viewing of snowdrops and earlyspring bulbs today from 11am to 4pm. Arepeat opening will be held on Saturday, Feb11 again from 11am to 4pm. Snowdrops andspring bulbs offered for sale. Please park onmain road. Entry fee will aid MarymountHospice.

■ A talk on bulbs entitled Colour your Gardenthis Spring takes place next Monday,Wednesday and Friday at 12 noon in GriffinsGarden Centre Dripsey. The junior Slug Clubresumes on Feb 4 at 3pm. Details:021-7334286. An RNLI fundraising concerttake place at the garden centre on Friday at8.15pm. Tickets €10.

■ Dungarvan Flower and Garden Club presentan Evening of Flower Arranging with RobinWaistell on Wednesday next at 8pm in thePark Hotel. Non-members welcome.

■ Vegetable talk and practical demonstrationsby Kevin Waters will take place today at11am at Hosfords, Enniskeane with a repeaton Saturday, Feb 4 and Saturday, Feb 11.Early and late varieties seed potatoes(including blight-free strains) are nowavailable.

■ Cobh Flower and Horticulture Club will holdits first meeting of 2012 at Cobh CommunityCentre on Feb 6 at 8pm. Mary Frahill, willtalk on health Issues and all are welcomeespecially new members. Refreshmentsserved.

■ Some places are still available for theone-day seminar on spring bulbs andsnowdrops being held at Sandbrook House,one mile from Altamont Gardens, Co Carlowon Feb 4 beginning at 9.30am withregistration and refreshments. A series oflectures follow before and after lunch beforevisiting the nearby Altamont Gardens toview the spring bulbs with Paul Cutler (headgardener). Visitors will get the chance tomake bulb purchases. Early booking isadvisable for the event is almost full andentry is by ticket only. Cost is €60 whichincludes the lectures, lunch, admission tobulb sale, and tour of the gardens.Contact Hester at 086-8654972 or Robert at087-9822135.

■ A massive display of snowdrops is now infull bloom in the grounds of Blarney CastleCork. Nearer the lake, huge plantings ofdaffodils continue to give pleasure to visitorsand walkers.

■ Greenbarn Garden Centre has a free gardentalk on Spring Colour for your Garden at 12noon on Saturday followed by lunch for€10. Also garden classes to commenceevery Monday at 10am. €5 per class. Call024-90166.

The wonder of a lenten hellebore

Hellebores will bloom successfully in deep pots stood around the garden as well as in open ground. In either situation, make sure they don’t go short of moisture. As to colour choice, just think ofmodern fabric shades or those used in the production of interior emulsions.

Hellebores with the Dicksonia Tree Fern.Heavy rain is the enemy of early crocus. It washes out their colour and collapses their slim nectar bearing chalices. Crocus has an extraordinaryfresh scent for late winter and early spring. To appreciate it, you often have to live closely with the plants.

WIND continues to batterthe garden and the earliestdaffodils have to steelthemselves if theirmoment of glory is not tobe taken from them. Whenthese eventually finish, thekeen gardeners should beable to look forward to anumber of extra flushes ofbloom on the starry,lemon-coloured jasmine,and to the mysterious paleflowers still showing onChimonanthus fragrans.Later again, there will bethe startling hellebores toadmire along with the frailcandles of the pretentiouscrocus.

HEAVY RAIN is theenemy of early crocus. Itwashes out their colourand collapses their slimnectar-bearing chalices. Iblush to admit myignorance, but it is only inrecent years that I havediscovered how sweetlymany crocuses smell. Itreminds me of Coolought(Wexford) honey mixedwith just a hint of prim-roses; an extraordinaryfresh scent for late winterand early spring. The topicof scent for me will alwaysbe a constant education.To appreciate it, you oftenhave to live closely withplants. Mine seem tothrive, thankfully, on my

most abundantcommodity; neglect.

SWEET PEAS; Make astart with sweet peas.Varying in colour frompale brown to black, theseeds are large enough tohandle individually forplacing in the open groundnow, keeping a few inchesbetween each.

BORDER PLANTS;Established herbaceousplants which have notbeen lifted for division willbenefit from mulching andfeeding. You can usegarden compost, GeeUphorse manure or farmyardmuck spread around theplants. If this is notpossible use a good generalfertiliser. A really goodfully organic product soldas ‘Fish, Blood, and BoneMeal’ will be foundexcellent.

HOUSEPLANTS; Manyplants object to tap water.Some dislike the addedingredients of flouride andchlorine, while many moreobject to extra calcium,which causes furring onkettles and the like, alongwith complications forplants which will nottolerate lime. If hard wateris used on such plantstheir leaves can quickly

turn yellow and showsigns of lime-inducedchlorosis. They start tolook rather pale and sicklyinstead of having thatdeep-green healthy shine.Lime haters includeindoor azaleas, which areso popular during Adventand Christmas and can bekept for many yearsprovided they are re-pottedin spring, watered freelyand nurtured by way offeeding on a monthlybasis. Many people nowown de-humidifiers toreduce condensation in thehome and the water thesecollect is perfect to use onlime-hating house plants.It is almost pure andalthough not of drinkingquality it contains nocalcium or otherimpurities.

ALPINES; Don’t worrytoo much about yourplants growing outdoors.The majority will be fine.Alpines grown in sinks ortroughs and are more thanhappy with cold weather— crisp mountain air ismuch to their liking. Whatthey detest most of all iscontinuous rain — thekind that lodges aroundthe leaf base, like catarrh,before setting up fatal rotsof the stem. To avoidexcessive moisture on

most alpines, fit a plasticcloche or sheet of glassover the plants, leaving anair gap of at least 8cm(3in). Special clips for thejob are available at gardenoutlets that specialise ingreenhouses andequipment.

DECK MAINTENANCE;Finally, if you have a deckthat has not been treatedproperly, take extra carewhen walking on it whileit is wet or damp.Untreated decks

(including those pressuretreated) can attractmildew, algae and othergrowths especially inpersistent damp weather.Do a quick clean up with a50:50 mix of water andChloras to kill off allunwanted growths. Dotake care though, as theproduct is extremelystrong and the bleach willdamage clothing andfootwear when splashedabout. Use wellingtonboots, old overalls, andmost of all, good eyeprotection by way ofgoggles or safety glasses.Chloras is available atmost agricultural outletsin the south but theproduct is sold as Unichloraround Dublin andSterichlor in Waterfordand the south-east.

WHATEVER the temperature outside,however bleak the weather, there can beno greeting warmer or more eloquentthan the flowering of the first hellebore;

boldly assertive, weather resistant, totally hardy,punctual as Christmas. No wonder they have becomefirm favourites with millions if not with millionaires.Hellebores are one of the wonders of the plantkingdom for they’ll last for decades and alwayspresent themselves as matchless garden treasures.For generations they were regarded as a cure for

madness. Paradoxically, the flowers look delicate,even frail, yet once they have opened they defywhatever the weather throws at them and insist onlasting their full term, which can be three months inmany cases. Their range of colours is something likethe spectrum for shades of fabric; from yellowy greento deep claret red and all the colours in between.There is of course a pure pristine white and a dark-

leaved, plum-coloured beauty which borders on blackwhich seems to suit the low, faltering light of postsolstice, but overall, there are dozens to choose from.As to scent, a holly leaf, snowflake, even an eggshell,all have more of a perfume than the most desirablehellebore! Nature may have failed in this regard, butin no way does this detract from their desirability.The traditional Lenten hellebore is single flowered,

having but five sepals exactly like a buttercup towhich the family is closely related.‘Doubles’ are now commonplace, having first being

regarded as a curiosity. I welcome these new strains,though I wish they were a little less expensive!However, if they behave with the same loose morals

as the singles, I expect that they will seed about

generously, raising children of every conceivablecolour. Hellebores, I should advise, do not come truefrom seed but this can create an advantage for thecasual grower who wishes to rise to the level ofconnoisseur. If they learn to discard seedlings withflattened flowers in favour of those with a cup-shapedform and to weed out the less appealing colours,they may, in time, stumble upon something reallydistinguished. The weeks just before and immediatelyafter Christmas are ideal for buying new, container-grown stock as well as removing the older, rather largeand coarse leaves of established plantings. Theirremoval will allow more light to penetrate the crownthus promoting faster flowering. New leaves willfollow the flowers so removing the old ones as early aspossible is certainly advantageous.Most nurseries will now be able to show you fresh

stock of both single and double varieties. Double-flowered H torquatus hybrids are rather special andare worth seeking out, as are X sternii ‘BlackthornGroup’. However, no variety will be found less thangood. Provided the ground is neither waterlogged norfrozen you can plant them straight out into fertile,free-draining, but slightly moist soil. Hellebores growwell in partial shade and are good on limestone andchalk, provided the soil is kept well mulched. Ifpossible, enhance the soil with plenty of leaf-mould ordecayed compost, to give it the quality of woodland.Bear in mind that young plants need time to establishand many can take up to three years before they reallyflower in character. They resent constant disturbanceand will thank you for being left alone by bloomingstronger and for longer as the years pass. Encouragethem in dry summer spells by watering copiously.


XP1 - V1 XP1 - V1


IN THE GARDEN IN THE GARDEN

WORK FOR THE WEEK by Charlie Wilkins

by Charlie Wilkins

GARDENNOTES■ Reserve Mar 3, for the Bellefield Plant Fair at

Bellfield House, Shinrone (between Birr andRoscrea) Co Offaly. Over 20 specialistnurseries will be offering new, unusual andrare varieties of snowdrops, hellebores,clematis, hepatica, trillium, and cardamine.Art will be shown in the stable courtyard,and talks on snowdrops, hellebores andother spring plants in the coach-house.Enjoy homemade teas in the Stable tearoomand stroll around the walled garden andwoodland, enjoying the spring snowdrops,crocus, narcissus and other spring plants.

■ Reminder that the winter garden of HesterForde, Coosheen, Glounthaune, Co Cork, willopen for the viewing of snowdrops and earlyspring bulbs today from 11am to 4pm. Arepeat opening will be held on Saturday, Feb11 again from 11am to 4pm. Snowdrops andspring bulbs offered for sale. Please park onmain road. Entry fee will aid MarymountHospice.

■ A talk on bulbs entitled Colour your Gardenthis Spring takes place next Monday,Wednesday and Friday at 12 noon in GriffinsGarden Centre Dripsey. The junior Slug Clubresumes on Feb 4 at 3pm. Details:021-7334286. An RNLI fundraising concerttake place at the garden centre on Friday at8.15pm. Tickets €10.

■ Dungarvan Flower and Garden Club presentan Evening of Flower Arranging with RobinWaistell on Wednesday next at 8pm in thePark Hotel. Non-members welcome.

■ Vegetable talk and practical demonstrationsby Kevin Waters will take place today at11am at Hosfords, Enniskeane with a repeaton Saturday, Feb 4 and Saturday, Feb 11.Early and late varieties seed potatoes(including blight-free strains) are nowavailable.

■ Cobh Flower and Horticulture Club will holdits first meeting of 2012 at Cobh CommunityCentre on Feb 6 at 8pm. Mary Frahill, willtalk on health Issues and all are welcomeespecially new members. Refreshmentsserved.

■ Some places are still available for theone-day seminar on spring bulbs andsnowdrops being held at Sandbrook House,one mile from Altamont Gardens, Co Carlowon Feb 4 beginning at 9.30am withregistration and refreshments. A series oflectures follow before and after lunch beforevisiting the nearby Altamont Gardens toview the spring bulbs with Paul Cutler (headgardener). Visitors will get the chance tomake bulb purchases. Early booking isadvisable for the event is almost full andentry is by ticket only. Cost is €60 whichincludes the lectures, lunch, admission tobulb sale, and tour of the gardens.Contact Hester at 086-8654972 or Robert at087-9822135.

■ A massive display of snowdrops is now infull bloom in the grounds of Blarney CastleCork. Nearer the lake, huge plantings ofdaffodils continue to give pleasure to visitorsand walkers.

■ Greenbarn Garden Centre has a free gardentalk on Spring Colour for your Garden at 12noon on Saturday followed by lunch for€10. Also garden classes to commenceevery Monday at 10am. €5 per class. Call024-90166.

The wonder of a lenten hellebore

Hellebores will bloom successfully in deep pots stood around the garden as well as in open ground. In either situation, make sure they don’t go short of moisture. As to colour choice, just think ofmodern fabric shades or those used in the production of interior emulsions.

Hellebores with the Dicksonia Tree Fern.Heavy rain is the enemy of early crocus. It washes out their colour and collapses their slim nectar bearing chalices. Crocus has an extraordinaryfresh scent for late winter and early spring. To appreciate it, you often have to live closely with the plants.

WIND continues to batterthe garden and the earliestdaffodils have to steelthemselves if theirmoment of glory is not tobe taken from them. Whenthese eventually finish, thekeen gardeners should beable to look forward to anumber of extra flushes ofbloom on the starry,lemon-coloured jasmine,and to the mysterious paleflowers still showing onChimonanthus fragrans.Later again, there will bethe startling hellebores toadmire along with the frailcandles of the pretentiouscrocus.

HEAVY RAIN is theenemy of early crocus. Itwashes out their colourand collapses their slimnectar-bearing chalices. Iblush to admit myignorance, but it is only inrecent years that I havediscovered how sweetlymany crocuses smell. Itreminds me of Coolought(Wexford) honey mixedwith just a hint of prim-roses; an extraordinaryfresh scent for late winterand early spring. The topicof scent for me will alwaysbe a constant education.To appreciate it, you oftenhave to live closely withplants. Mine seem tothrive, thankfully, on my

most abundantcommodity; neglect.

SWEET PEAS; Make astart with sweet peas.Varying in colour frompale brown to black, theseeds are large enough tohandle individually forplacing in the open groundnow, keeping a few inchesbetween each.

BORDER PLANTS;Established herbaceousplants which have notbeen lifted for division willbenefit from mulching andfeeding. You can usegarden compost, GeeUphorse manure or farmyardmuck spread around theplants. If this is notpossible use a good generalfertiliser. A really goodfully organic product soldas ‘Fish, Blood, and BoneMeal’ will be foundexcellent.

HOUSEPLANTS; Manyplants object to tap water.Some dislike the addedingredients of flouride andchlorine, while many moreobject to extra calcium,which causes furring onkettles and the like, alongwith complications forplants which will nottolerate lime. If hard wateris used on such plantstheir leaves can quickly

turn yellow and showsigns of lime-inducedchlorosis. They start tolook rather pale and sicklyinstead of having thatdeep-green healthy shine.Lime haters includeindoor azaleas, which areso popular during Adventand Christmas and can bekept for many yearsprovided they are re-pottedin spring, watered freelyand nurtured by way offeeding on a monthlybasis. Many people nowown de-humidifiers toreduce condensation in thehome and the water thesecollect is perfect to use onlime-hating house plants.It is almost pure andalthough not of drinkingquality it contains nocalcium or otherimpurities.

ALPINES; Don’t worrytoo much about yourplants growing outdoors.The majority will be fine.Alpines grown in sinks ortroughs and are more thanhappy with cold weather— crisp mountain air ismuch to their liking. Whatthey detest most of all iscontinuous rain — thekind that lodges aroundthe leaf base, like catarrh,before setting up fatal rotsof the stem. To avoidexcessive moisture on

most alpines, fit a plasticcloche or sheet of glassover the plants, leaving anair gap of at least 8cm(3in). Special clips for thejob are available at gardenoutlets that specialise ingreenhouses andequipment.

DECK MAINTENANCE;Finally, if you have a deckthat has not been treatedproperly, take extra carewhen walking on it whileit is wet or damp.Untreated decks

(including those pressuretreated) can attractmildew, algae and othergrowths especially inpersistent damp weather.Do a quick clean up with a50:50 mix of water andChloras to kill off allunwanted growths. Dotake care though, as theproduct is extremelystrong and the bleach willdamage clothing andfootwear when splashedabout. Use wellingtonboots, old overalls, andmost of all, good eyeprotection by way ofgoggles or safety glasses.Chloras is available atmost agricultural outletsin the south but theproduct is sold as Unichloraround Dublin andSterichlor in Waterfordand the south-east.

WHATEVER the temperature outside,however bleak the weather, there can beno greeting warmer or more eloquentthan the flowering of the first hellebore;

boldly assertive, weather resistant, totally hardy,punctual as Christmas. No wonder they have becomefirm favourites with millions if not with millionaires.Hellebores are one of the wonders of the plantkingdom for they’ll last for decades and alwayspresent themselves as matchless garden treasures.For generations they were regarded as a cure for

madness. Paradoxically, the flowers look delicate,even frail, yet once they have opened they defywhatever the weather throws at them and insist onlasting their full term, which can be three months inmany cases. Their range of colours is something likethe spectrum for shades of fabric; from yellowy greento deep claret red and all the colours in between.There is of course a pure pristine white and a dark-

leaved, plum-coloured beauty which borders on blackwhich seems to suit the low, faltering light of postsolstice, but overall, there are dozens to choose from.As to scent, a holly leaf, snowflake, even an eggshell,all have more of a perfume than the most desirablehellebore! Nature may have failed in this regard, butin no way does this detract from their desirability.The traditional Lenten hellebore is single flowered,

having but five sepals exactly like a buttercup towhich the family is closely related.‘Doubles’ are now commonplace, having first being

regarded as a curiosity. I welcome these new strains,though I wish they were a little less expensive!However, if they behave with the same loose morals

as the singles, I expect that they will seed about

generously, raising children of every conceivablecolour. Hellebores, I should advise, do not come truefrom seed but this can create an advantage for thecasual grower who wishes to rise to the level ofconnoisseur. If they learn to discard seedlings withflattened flowers in favour of those with a cup-shapedform and to weed out the less appealing colours,they may, in time, stumble upon something reallydistinguished. The weeks just before and immediatelyafter Christmas are ideal for buying new, container-grown stock as well as removing the older, rather largeand coarse leaves of established plantings. Theirremoval will allow more light to penetrate the crownthus promoting faster flowering. New leaves willfollow the flowers so removing the old ones as early aspossible is certainly advantageous.Most nurseries will now be able to show you fresh

stock of both single and double varieties. Double-flowered H torquatus hybrids are rather special andare worth seeking out, as are X sternii ‘BlackthornGroup’. However, no variety will be found less thangood. Provided the ground is neither waterlogged norfrozen you can plant them straight out into fertile,free-draining, but slightly moist soil. Hellebores growwell in partial shade and are good on limestone andchalk, provided the soil is kept well mulched. Ifpossible, enhance the soil with plenty of leaf-mould ordecayed compost, to give it the quality of woodland.Bear in mind that young plants need time to establishand many can take up to three years before they reallyflower in character. They resent constant disturbanceand will thank you for being left alone by bloomingstronger and for longer as the years pass. Encouragethem in dry summer spells by watering copiously.


XP1 - V1 XP1 - V1


ANTIQUES & FINE ART ADVERTISING

Swordmakescut atauction

IN BRIEFCITY ENGRAVINGA c1750 topographicalengraving of the City ofCork and early panoramicengravings of Youghaland Kinsale will come upat Lynes and Lynesauction at East LinkBusiness Park, Carrig-twohill at noon today.............................................................. .

TRALEE FAIRThe Carlton Hotel holdsan antique fair tomorrow,organised by HibernianAntique Fairs. It runsfrom 11am to 6pm.............................................................. .

ONLINE AUCTIONMorgan O’Driscoll’s on-line sale of Irish art runsuntil 7pm on Jan 30 atmorganodriscoll.com. The124 works can be viewedonline and at MorganO’Driscoll’s premises atIlen St, Skibbereen inWest Cork.............................................................. .

VALUATION DAYThere will be a valuationday at the James AdamSalesroom, St Stephen’sGreen, Dublin, from9.30am to 5pm nextThursday.............................................................. .

JEWELLERY SALEO’Reilly’s will offer 450lots of jewellery, silverand some art at their saleat Francis St, Dublin nextWednesday.............................................................. .

DOLAN’S RESULTSThe top lot at Dolan’s artauction in Cork last weekwas a painting of a collieby Mark O’Neill thatmade €5,000.

A Japanese samuraisword, a set of 70paintings to be soldwithout reserve and 40items of garden furnitureare among the lots to besold at Hegarty’s inBandon at 3pm tomorrow.The sword, along with a

signed surrender fromthe Second World War, isestimated at €1,000-€2,000. The art collectionwas amassed over thepast 20 years andincludes 19th centurylandscapes and morecontemporary works byartists includingElizabeth Brophy, TomByrne and KatieButtimer. Antique piecesinclude a c1840 plantercentrepiece on stand,urns and garden benches.Also on offer are aVictorian dining tablewith two extra leaves(€2,500-€3,500), an IrishGeorgian fold-over teatable (€1,500-€2,500), aFrench parquetry bedand locker (€1,500-€2,000),a William IV library table(€1,000-€1,500), and aRegency card table (€800-€1,200. Viewing 11am to5pm today and from noonto the start of the auctionat 3pm tomorrow.

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SECTION PLEASE CALL OR EMAILGer Duggan Tel: 021-4802192 email: [email protected] eyes on

Lowry at newauction roomsArt coup points to promising future fornew auction house says Des O’Sullivan

Industrial Scene by LS Lowry to be sold at Cork Auction Rooms.

Kinsale is the title of this oil on board by William Cunningham fromthe Morgan O’Driscoll online art sale.

A diamond necklace with aweight of 19 carats (approx.) atO’Reilly’s auction nextWednesday.

Victorian rosewood card table,on lion-pad feet at Hegarty’sAuction. It is estimated at€1,500/2,000.

A classicalpainting byLaurenceStephen Lowry

entitled Industrial Scenebrings the new CorkAuction Rooms burstingon to the scene nextMonday. It would be acoup for any Irishauction house to have aLowry. The value of thework of this most popularEnglish artist born ofIrish parents nearManchester in 1887 hassoared. The FootballMatch made a new worldrecord for £5.6m (€6.7m)at Christie’s in Londonlast May and Bonhamsset a record for a work onpaper by Lowry inNovember whenSwinbury Station made£121,250. Industrial Scene,signed and dated 1959, ismodestly estimated at€60,000-€100,000. An oilon canvas, it measures 52x 65 cms. There is a smallhorizontal tear on the

lower left hand side. It isfrom a Co Limerickcollection and is among900 lots to be sold at anauction which getsunderway at 10 am onMonday. The salefeatures art, silver,furniture and collectiblesincluding a Fabergecigarette box withImperial Russian Eaglemark (€1,000-€1,500), ac1680 small oak taverntable, a framed pencilsketch of Madame Ramieby Picasso, Irish art, aburr walnut vanity caseand a pair of Kashmiritea flasks. Viewing isfrom 10am to 6pm todayand tomorrow. CorkAuction Rooms,Southlink Business Park,Ballycurreen Road, is anew venture by TomO’Connell of KerryAuction Rooms,Moyderwell, Tralee andMichael Watson ofLissardagh Antiques inCork.

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�� Ilen Street, Skibbereen, Co. Cork; Tel: 028 22338 · Mob: 086 2472425

email: [email protected]

O N L I N EI R I S H A R T S A L E

Over 110 works bywell known Irish artiststo be sold online only

Auction Times:

Starts: 13th Jan 2012 at 9am

Ends: 31st Jan 2012 at 7pm

Ful l catalogue can be viewed onw w w . m o r g a n o d r i s c o l l . c o m

or on view at our offices in Skibbereen

Kenneth Webb Graham Knuttel

Arthur K. Maderson

AUCTION OF FURNITURE & EFFECTS,ANTIQUES & OBJETS D’ARTNow Collecting for next Auctionin our City Centre Auction Rooms

WOODWARDS AUCTION ROOMS26 COOK ST CORK∙021-4273327 ∙www.woodward.ie

AuctionMonday 30th January @ 10am.

Viewing Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th 10am - 6pmAnd Morning Of Sale.

To Include; Paintings By L.S.Lowry, August Riedel,Pencil Sketch Signed Picasso, Carl Faberge Cigarette Box,Large Silver Mounted Jewellery Box, Clocks, Jewellery,Mirrors, Oriental Items, Silver and Plate, Oil Lamps,

Taxidermy, Masonic Regalia, Militaria, Coins and Banknotes,Ephemera, Books, Postcards, Rugs, Glassware,

Furniture to Include; Carved 19th Century Serving Table,Cabinets, Pair Hall Chairs, Hall Gong, Couch, Tables,Bookcases, Chest Drawers, C1680 Tavern Table,Set of 6 Victorian Chairs, 19C Card Tables.

Approx.900 Lots.Cork Auction Rooms,

12 Southlink Business Park,Ballycurreen Road, Cork.Tel. 021-4847689 Or 0868165329

See Online Catalogue At www.corkauctionrooms.com

Now Accepting Items For February 27th Sale.


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ANTIQUES & FINE ART ADVERTISING

Swordmakescut atauction

IN BRIEFCITY ENGRAVINGA c1750 topographicalengraving of the City ofCork and early panoramicengravings of Youghaland Kinsale will come upat Lynes and Lynesauction at East LinkBusiness Park, Carrig-twohill at noon today.............................................................. .

TRALEE FAIRThe Carlton Hotel holdsan antique fair tomorrow,organised by HibernianAntique Fairs. It runsfrom 11am to 6pm.............................................................. .

ONLINE AUCTIONMorgan O’Driscoll’s on-line sale of Irish art runsuntil 7pm on Jan 30 atmorganodriscoll.com. The124 works can be viewedonline and at MorganO’Driscoll’s premises atIlen St, Skibbereen inWest Cork.............................................................. .

VALUATION DAYThere will be a valuationday at the James AdamSalesroom, St Stephen’sGreen, Dublin, from9.30am to 5pm nextThursday.............................................................. .

JEWELLERY SALEO’Reilly’s will offer 450lots of jewellery, silverand some art at their saleat Francis St, Dublin nextWednesday.............................................................. .

DOLAN’S RESULTSThe top lot at Dolan’s artauction in Cork last weekwas a painting of a collieby Mark O’Neill thatmade €5,000.

A Japanese samuraisword, a set of 70paintings to be soldwithout reserve and 40items of garden furnitureare among the lots to besold at Hegarty’s inBandon at 3pm tomorrow.The sword, along with a

signed surrender fromthe Second World War, isestimated at €1,000-€2,000. The art collectionwas amassed over thepast 20 years andincludes 19th centurylandscapes and morecontemporary works byartists includingElizabeth Brophy, TomByrne and KatieButtimer. Antique piecesinclude a c1840 plantercentrepiece on stand,urns and garden benches.Also on offer are aVictorian dining tablewith two extra leaves(€2,500-€3,500), an IrishGeorgian fold-over teatable (€1,500-€2,500), aFrench parquetry bedand locker (€1,500-€2,000),a William IV library table(€1,000-€1,500), and aRegency card table (€800-€1,200. Viewing 11am to5pm today and from noonto the start of the auctionat 3pm tomorrow.

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SECTION PLEASE CALL OR EMAILGer Duggan Tel: 021-4802192 email: [email protected] eyes on

Lowry at newauction roomsArt coup points to promising future fornew auction house says Des O’Sullivan

Industrial Scene by LS Lowry to be sold at Cork Auction Rooms.

Kinsale is the title of this oil on board by William Cunningham fromthe Morgan O’Driscoll online art sale.

A diamond necklace with aweight of 19 carats (approx.) atO’Reilly’s auction nextWednesday.

Victorian rosewood card table,on lion-pad feet at Hegarty’sAuction. It is estimated at€1,500/2,000.

A classicalpainting byLaurenceStephen Lowry

entitled Industrial Scenebrings the new CorkAuction Rooms burstingon to the scene nextMonday. It would be acoup for any Irishauction house to have aLowry. The value of thework of this most popularEnglish artist born ofIrish parents nearManchester in 1887 hassoared. The FootballMatch made a new worldrecord for £5.6m (€6.7m)at Christie’s in Londonlast May and Bonhamsset a record for a work onpaper by Lowry inNovember whenSwinbury Station made£121,250. Industrial Scene,signed and dated 1959, ismodestly estimated at€60,000-€100,000. An oilon canvas, it measures 52x 65 cms. There is a smallhorizontal tear on the

lower left hand side. It isfrom a Co Limerickcollection and is among900 lots to be sold at anauction which getsunderway at 10 am onMonday. The salefeatures art, silver,furniture and collectiblesincluding a Fabergecigarette box withImperial Russian Eaglemark (€1,000-€1,500), ac1680 small oak taverntable, a framed pencilsketch of Madame Ramieby Picasso, Irish art, aburr walnut vanity caseand a pair of Kashmiritea flasks. Viewing isfrom 10am to 6pm todayand tomorrow. CorkAuction Rooms,Southlink Business Park,Ballycurreen Road, is anew venture by TomO’Connell of KerryAuction Rooms,Moyderwell, Tralee andMichael Watson ofLissardagh Antiques inCork.

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�� Ilen Street, Skibbereen, Co. Cork; Tel: 028 22338 · Mob: 086 2472425

email: [email protected]

O N L I N EI R I S H A R T S A L E

Over 110 works bywell known Irish artiststo be sold online only

Auction Times:

Starts: 13th Jan 2012 at 9am

Ends: 31st Jan 2012 at 7pm

Ful l catalogue can be viewed onw w w . m o r g a n o d r i s c o l l . c o m

or on view at our offices in Skibbereen

Kenneth Webb Graham Knuttel

Arthur K. Maderson

AUCTION OF FURNITURE & EFFECTS,ANTIQUES & OBJETS D’ARTNow Collecting for next Auctionin our City Centre Auction Rooms

WOODWARDS AUCTION ROOMS26 COOK ST CORK∙021-4273327 ∙www.woodward.ie

AuctionMonday 30th January @ 10am.

Viewing Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th 10am - 6pmAnd Morning Of Sale.

To Include; Paintings By L.S.Lowry, August Riedel,Pencil Sketch Signed Picasso, Carl Faberge Cigarette Box,Large Silver Mounted Jewellery Box, Clocks, Jewellery,Mirrors, Oriental Items, Silver and Plate, Oil Lamps,

Taxidermy, Masonic Regalia, Militaria, Coins and Banknotes,Ephemera, Books, Postcards, Rugs, Glassware,

Furniture to Include; Carved 19th Century Serving Table,Cabinets, Pair Hall Chairs, Hall Gong, Couch, Tables,Bookcases, Chest Drawers, C1680 Tavern Table,Set of 6 Victorian Chairs, 19C Card Tables.

Approx.900 Lots.Cork Auction Rooms,

12 Southlink Business Park,Ballycurreen Road, Cork.Tel. 021-4847689 Or 0868165329

See Online Catalogue At www.corkauctionrooms.com

Now Accepting Items For February 27th Sale.

TERAPROOF:User:noelcampionDate:26/01/2012Time:09:39:29Edition:28/01/2012PropertyXP2801Page:24 Zone:XP1

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Property 28-01-2012