IT’S the row with the dolphin door knockers – familiar to the fresh air brigade who love the Scilly walk, Kinsale. And while the address, Scilly Terrace, might not ring a bell, the distinctive ironmongery does – it’s part of its charm.
Set on a level but narrow strip at the sea’s edge, this Georgian row is emblematic of Kinsale. It has the slate facing, the six over six sash windows and is right on the water.
And while it’s an Irish harbour-side town, Kinsale’s architecture is not the provincial type you see up and down the country, it’s more stand alone, picture-book and it’s what makes it an international destination.
And now this groovy town is seeing its lowest price levels in close on 10 years. No 4 Scilly Terrace, which hits the early autumn market with Nadja Frank of Engel and Volkers has been given a guide price of €775,000, less than the €850,000 asking of its next door neighbour, No 3, in 2004.
And this house is almost in the same condition as Number 3 was then, so buyers can get a before and after feel on viewing by a little rubber-necking.
No 4 is a three-storey, two bedroomed house facing south over the water of the inner harbour and dates, according to Frank from 1730, which makes it close on 300 years old.
It’s gorgeous, despite a slight list in the floors and that fusty old feeling, but it’s bright and on first viewing, bone dry.
There’s the slender, simple staircase rising to the right of the main entrance and living rooms behind, from lower ground floor kitchen/ diner, to formal living room and to two bedrooms and bathrooms overhead.
That’s the simple rundown, but the house doesn’t work like that. It’s full of nooks an crannies and a character that comes with age.
This is a cosy home, not a palatial mansion, but there is still plenty of room and Nadja Frank says there’s space in the attic for conversion.
The last time this house was changed was with a two-storey sunroom extension that runs from the back of the kitchen/diner, (with double arches leading out) to the overhead living room, where the glazed extension is a proper conservatory.
Even on an overcast day, you can feel the warmth emanating from the rear and the bonus here is that there’s still enough room leftover for a small terrace overlooking the water.
Next door is completely renovated and has a sophisticated grey and aluminium take on a rear extension, but with cedar brise soleil that gives privacy. A boat davit at the quay side is also a new addition.
It goes without saying that opportunities to pick up premium properties like this in Kinsale don’t arise very often. After all, the last sale in this terrace was six years ago, a long time in the property market.
Nearby, the renovated Pallace Wharf sold for a record-breaking €4m through Sheehy Brothers, (who also sold no 3 The Terrace) and Prospect Villa, a six-bed Victorian house bounding Breakheart Hill at Ardbrack is on the market at offers in the region of €2 million with agent, Dominic Daly.
It comes with three acres and was originally floated at around the €3m mark.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Saturday, August 21, 2010
