A GUIDING LIGHT IN YOUGHAL

Cork native Saoirse Fitzgerald is the envy of many people across the island of Ireland as she lives in one of the most amazing properties that has ever appeared on the pages of this publication; the reason for that is because Ms Fitzgerald lives in the lighthouse keepers cottage in Youghal, County Cork and between the property and the views it is something to behold.

Saoirse grew up 15 kilmoetres away from Youghal in a village called Claddagh and had gone to school close to the lighthouse.

Youghal Lighthouse was the first lighthouse in the world to be run by female lighthouse keepers and the lighthouse is still operarting and owned by the Commissioners of Irish Lights.The first potato to be planted in Ireland was done in the garden of the keepers cottage by Sir Walter Raleigh. When Saoirse saw that the keepers cottage was up for sale she was based in London where she was working as a Brand Director for Linkedin before moving home to Cork.

The keepers cottage was the residence of every lighthouse keeper at Youghal Lighthouse since the 1800’s. ““I saw an article on the Irish Independent when I was aimlessly scrolling on Facebook and that’s how I happened to come upon the house being up for sale and it had a time frame of 30 days to sell and it was going to be done by a blind auction,’’ said Saoirse Fitzgerald. 38

“I was living over in London at the time so getting a mort gage from abroad is fairly tricky. There aren’t really any products available in Irish banks for Irish abroad wanting to buy at home. I had to go with a holiday home mortgage and the deposit you need to pay for that is between 25% to 45%. Renovation work on this project took a total of five months and it was overseen by the Conservation Officer for County Cork, Mona Hallinan.

“We took several tonnes of rubble out and as access is tricky everything that was brought in or out of the house had to be done so by crane over the wall! Things you do not think of with places that tend to have a great view, they sometimes have tricky routes of access,’’ added a laughing Saoirse. “The renovation was considered a green renovation as where possible we used sustainable methods ( ie air to water heat system, restored the old windows, upgraded insulation, reclaimed the wooden floors, eco friendly paint, lime plaster for the walls, added heating controls, added underfloor heating, low flush toilet etc).

“I didn’t really have any interest in interiors before doing up my house, I loved going to nice hotels and appreciated nice decor for sure, whereas now I have unearthed a whole new love for interiors and it has opened up a whole other element to my life that I didn’t even know was there. I have even gone on to train as an Interior Designer since the renovation’’ she added.

The renovation introduced open-plan living downstairs, a sea-facing bathroom and bathtub, underfloor heating, new electrics and plumbing, insulation throughout, and a 20-foot conservatory complete with hanging chair, and new windows throughout.

40 As to Saoirse’s overall thoughts on the house? “From the moment I first set foot in the home, it had a really safe feeling and air to it. It oozes character and has a real old

“They sometimes have tricky ROUTES.”

world feel throught-out. When I first bought it, it certainly wasn’t a dream home but slowly we have brought the old keepers back to life.

“Even though the house is a material thing, it brings me so much happiness. I really love my home and buying this house is one of the best things I’ve ever done,’’ concluded Saoirse Fitzgerald.

CONTACT LIST

INTERIOR DESIGN: Saoirse Fitzgerald, 083-3521487 sasafitz@gmail.com

PAINT: Pat McDonnell Paints, Centre Park Road, The Marina, County Cork - 021-4320200 www.mcdonnellpaints.ie info@mcdonnellpaints.ie

SOFA, SNUGGLE CHAIR, DRINKS TABLE & BATHROOM MIRROR: Meubles Furniture Store, 12 Kilkenny Retail & Business Park, Ring Road, Smithsland South, Kilkenny, R95 Y26C 056-7722034 www.meubles.ie

SANITARY WARE: Bathshack, Unit D2 Donnybrook Commercial Centre IE, Donnybrook, Co. Cork, T12 H5NH 021-2337346 www.bathshack.com HEATING SYSTEM & PLUMBING: Aidan O’Rourke - ORME, Kilmore, Clashmore, Co. Waterford 086-3866487 www.orme.ie - aidan@orme.ie

HOME, GARDEN, DIY & BUILDING SUPPLIES: Cal Flavin Limited, 100 - 101 North Main Street, Youghal Lands, Youghal, Co Cork - 024-92026 www.toplineflavins.ie ELECTRICIANS: James & Ronan Fitzgerald, 087-7563275

HEADBOARDS, CUSHIONS & CHAIRS: Ned O’Connell Furnishings, Seafield Business Centre, Killeagh Road, Co. Cork 024-93106 TILES: Tilezone, Knockaun East, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford 058-52843

Stonebridge Tiles & Timber, Foxhole, Youghal, Co. Cork 024-85567 - 087-2514992 www.stonebridgetiles.com info@stonebridgetiles.com

METAL SHELVES (in snug ): Interiosity, Unit 19 St Patrick’s Woollen Mills, Douglas, Co. Cork 021-4898471 - sales@interiosity.ie www.interiorsity.ie

SINK, SLEEPER SHELVES & OTHER SALVAGED ITEMS: Macs Warehouse, 749 South Circular Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08 RWF1 01-6792110 www.macswarehouse.ie info@macswarehouse.ie