Property 10-12-2011

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Property 10.12.2011

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& Interiors

Barrow Bay Beauty

A chance to buy a design-savvy home in a spectacular Kerry setting Photo by Denis Scannell

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

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PROPERTY

HOUSE WEEK OF THE

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Properties on the move

Tommy Barker reports

4, Alexandra Terrace, St. Luke’s, Cork

Lennoe, Rochestown Road, Cork • Executor Sale.

• Water front property, 2 storey about 1500sq.ft.

• Superb views, great location, good condition, exceptional value.

• Prime location and great address.

• Solr: Margaret Campbell

• Executor Sale.

• Large period residence, approx. 2,400 sq.ft.

• Elevated position, panoramic views • Remedial works required • 3 storey house on corner site • Solr: Noonan, Linehan, Carroll, Coffey.

25 Paul Street · Cork

T: 021-4279393 / F: 021-4279391 Auctioneers Valuers Web www.andrewmoore.ie

ANDREW MOORE & CO.

25 Paul Street · Cork

T: 021-4279393 / F: 021-4279391 Auctioneers Valuers Web www.andrewmoore.ie

• An exceptional and truly spacious 4 Bed detached family residence.

• Kitchen/Living/Dining Room, Lounge, Study/Office, Utility, 4 Beds (2 En-Suite), 2 Bathrooms, Guest W.C. • Mature landscaped 0.5 acre site.

• PVC D/G Windows & OFCH

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CONTENTS 4

TRADING UP Terraced Limerick city home has a separate lower ground floor apartment.

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77 South Mall, Cork.

Tel: 021 4279677 /086 0212187 www.barryauctioneers.ie

Counguilla, Scartaglin, Co. Kerry

24 Bellvue Rise, Frankfield, Cork • Attractive and spacious 3 Bed semi-detached house.

• Living Room, Kitchen/Dining Room, 3 Beds (1 En-Suite), Bathroom, Guest W.C. • South Facing Rear Garden.

• PVC D/G Windows & GFCH

16 Cook Street, Cork T: 021-4251010 M: 087 2636590 www.mkodc.com

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FEATURES West Cork’s Old Stone Barn has modern comforts, including a hot-tub.

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COVER STORY Tralee’s Barrow Bay has natural beauty, plus a contemporary, eye-catching home.

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IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

• Well maintained detached 3 bedroomed fully furnished bungalow with sea views.

• Close to Dingle town, marina, restaurants, shops and Slea Head Drive.

Price region: €140,000

Open to offers

DNG WH GILES,

DNG WH GILES,

23 Denny St., Tralee, Co. Kerry. Tel. 066 7121073 Fax. 066 7121261. E.mail: info@whgiles.ie

23 Denny St., Tralee, Co. Kerry. Tel. 066 7121073 Fax. 066 7121261. E.mail: info@whgiles.ie

TO ADVERTISE YOUR RESALE PROPERTIES 021 4802 100

Price reduction a Golden opportunity It’s a house of two halves on Douglas Road, Cork, Tommy Barker reports

STARTERS Budget breaks for First Time Buyers in 2012 will see renewed viewings.

Garfinny, Dingle, Co. Kerry

• Residential holding of 27.57 acres with extensive road frontages, situated within a short distance from Scartaglin.

• Two storey dwellinghouse comprises: Porch; Sittingroom; three Bedrooms.

Double glazed windows.

• Hayshed and corrugated iron roofed shed.

Guide Price €220,000

INTERIORS DIY GARDENING ANTIQUES CLASSIFIED

PROPERTY EDITOR Tommy Barker, 021 4802221 property@examiner.ie INTERIORS EDITOR Sue O’Connor, 021 4802386 interiors@examiner.ie INTERIORS ADVERTISING Ger Duggan, 021 4802192 interiorads@examiner.ie PROPERTY ADVERTISING Marguerite Stafford, 021 4802100 marguerite.stafford@examiner.ie

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Barry Auctioneers & Valuers

16 Cook Street, Cork T: 021-4251010 M: 087 2527485 www.mkodc.com

O’Donoghue & Clarke

25 Paul Street · Cork

T: 021-4279393 / F: 021-4279391 Auctioneers Valuers Web www.andrewmoore.ie

Price €250,000

O’Donoghue & Clarke

VERDICT: The location is rural, and the house is well-delivered on its acre. Ideal for those who want comfort in the countryside retreat. Cork city’s within a manageable commute too.

ANDREW MOORE & CO.

• 2 810 sq ft Detached house on 2 Acres • 1080 sq ft Detached Double Garage with kids playroom at rear •.Wonderful opportunity to put your own finishing touches to this spacious house.

• Two large living rooms, kitchen/dining room and sun room .

• Four double bedrooms two ensuite bathrooms • Built in wardrobes in all the bedrooms

Guide Price €575,000

with CAT 5 and satellite cabling (engineer was Ian O’Flynn of Harrington O’Flynn.)

According to Mr McGrath, this Ballyard home is a quality property, with a certain Wow! factor, and its centrepiece is the open and airy hall (with overhead Velux). Its level of joinery in the distinctive gallery landing and staircase lifts it, literally, above the norm.

Reduced to €135,000

Glynn, Mourneabbey, Co. Cork

“Mardel House”, Clash Road, Carrigrohane, Co. Cork

OU’D sort of know that the owners of this the extra-high sun room opening to the back garden family home at Ballyard, Dungourney, about and patio. eight miles from Midleton in rural east Cork, Built about three years ago, it comes up for sale with had built before — there’s the feeling they Miah McGrath of McCarthy and McGrath in Midleton, knew what they wanted. guiding the four-bedroomed one-off at €380,000, and The contemporary take on the two-storey farmhouse stressing the level and quality of finish. works in the Rooms include double setting, just perhaps Location: height hallway with Dungourney, Cork needing tree gallery landing in its Price: €380,000 planting and other middle, a feature open landscaping to hardwood staircase Size: 250 sq m (2,700 sq ft) further bed it down with slender steel Bedrooms: 4 on its grassy acre balusters or rods, a site, which faces sitting room, play BER rating: B2 toward a forestryrooms, open and large Broadband: Yes covered hill north kitchen/living/dining of Midleton. room with oak units, Best asset: Bright comfort thanks to good Already, this wellwhite quartz stone BER rating proportioned storey topped island and and a half/tworecessed lighting with storey home has a children’s play area to the rear like terrazzo-type marble tiled floor, utility and guest WC. a small adventure park, along with outbuildings and Overhead the master bedroom is en suite, with a sheds (with safe compound for dogs), and plenty of car stand-alone bedhead between the bed and the walk-in parking and turning space in front, ready for future wardrobe/dressing room and an en suite bathroom, seasons of colourful garden planting along the there’s a main family bathroom, plus a shared ‘Jack perimeter. And, the back garden’s lawn is cut into by a and Jill’ en suite between two of the other bedrooms. sizeable paved space, ideal for shooting basketball Heating here is via a four-zone oil-fired burner, plus hoops well away from pristine white painted walls. there’s a solid fuel Waterford Erin stove with back The house itself (designed by Barry Mulcahy in boiler as a dual fuel option, raised on small stone Midleton) has crisp white render, with black pvc plinth in the sitting room. In addition, it has a windows, Thrutone slate roof and is set off in front pressurised hot water system and has been plumbed and behind by some judicious use of limestone, and set up for solar panels. Other extra provision modestly by the porch/front entrance, and behind in touches include lots of sockets, TV and phone points,

• Executor Sale • Refurbished cottage of 1,100 sq.ft.

• Charm and character in a wooded setting • Edge of Macroom, city side, half hour commute • 3⁄4 of an acre of level and landscaped gardens • Solicitor: Mullins Lynch Byrne

Guide Price €280,000 (reduced).

Guide Price €200,000

ANDREW MOORE & CO.

Cill, Macroom, Co. Cork

T

HERE’S a big — and sensible — price reduction now on 1, Golden Grove, a super-attractive Victorian home on Cork city’s main Douglas Road. It’s been taken down now to €550,00, from its June launch of €710,000 — and which even at the time seemed rich in the market-day realities.

It shows well, say selling agents Sherry FitzGerald, even in dreary December, and is in some ways a house of two halves — nicely traditional in front, with a deep drawing room perfect for Yuletide fires, while a more contemporary rear with a sun-room addition changes the house’s tone.

It’s a tasty 20’ by 11’ piece of working architecture, with vaulted ceiling and oak floor, in effect a comfortable garden room overlooking a small, but immaculately tended dog-leg of a private garden.

Elsewhere, original features have been kept, enhanced, original sash windows have working shutters, the hall floor has its old tiles polished up, and ceilings are high, with decorative plasterwork.

Location: Price: Size: Bedrooms: Broadband:

Douglas, Cork €550,000 290 sq m (3,100 sq ft) 5/6 Yes

VERDICT: A lovely house, great location within a walk of the city and Douglas, with off-street parking for three/four cars.

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

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Zone:XP1

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PROPERTY

HOUSE WEEK OF THE

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Properties on the move

Tommy Barker reports

4, Alexandra Terrace, St. Luke’s, Cork

Lennoe, Rochestown Road, Cork • Executor Sale.

• Water front property, 2 storey about 1500sq.ft.

• Superb views, great location, good condition, exceptional value.

• Prime location and great address.

• Solr: Margaret Campbell

• Executor Sale.

• Large period residence, approx. 2,400 sq.ft.

• Elevated position, panoramic views • Remedial works required • 3 storey house on corner site • Solr: Noonan, Linehan, Carroll, Coffey.

25 Paul Street · Cork

T: 021-4279393 / F: 021-4279391 Auctioneers Valuers Web www.andrewmoore.ie

ANDREW MOORE & CO.

25 Paul Street · Cork

T: 021-4279393 / F: 021-4279391 Auctioneers Valuers Web www.andrewmoore.ie

• An exceptional and truly spacious 4 Bed detached family residence.

• Kitchen/Living/Dining Room, Lounge, Study/Office, Utility, 4 Beds (2 En-Suite), 2 Bathrooms, Guest W.C. • Mature landscaped 0.5 acre site.

• PVC D/G Windows & OFCH

Y

CONTENTS 4

TRADING UP Terraced Limerick city home has a separate lower ground floor apartment.

6

77 South Mall, Cork.

Tel: 021 4279677 /086 0212187 www.barryauctioneers.ie

Counguilla, Scartaglin, Co. Kerry

24 Bellvue Rise, Frankfield, Cork • Attractive and spacious 3 Bed semi-detached house.

• Living Room, Kitchen/Dining Room, 3 Beds (1 En-Suite), Bathroom, Guest W.C. • South Facing Rear Garden.

• PVC D/G Windows & GFCH

16 Cook Street, Cork T: 021-4251010 M: 087 2636590 www.mkodc.com

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FEATURES West Cork’s Old Stone Barn has modern comforts, including a hot-tub.

8

COVER STORY Tralee’s Barrow Bay has natural beauty, plus a contemporary, eye-catching home.

12 14 20 22 23

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

• Well maintained detached 3 bedroomed fully furnished bungalow with sea views.

• Close to Dingle town, marina, restaurants, shops and Slea Head Drive.

Price region: €140,000

Open to offers

DNG WH GILES,

DNG WH GILES,

23 Denny St., Tralee, Co. Kerry. Tel. 066 7121073 Fax. 066 7121261. E.mail: info@whgiles.ie

23 Denny St., Tralee, Co. Kerry. Tel. 066 7121073 Fax. 066 7121261. E.mail: info@whgiles.ie

TO ADVERTISE YOUR RESALE PROPERTIES 021 4802 100

Price reduction a Golden opportunity It’s a house of two halves on Douglas Road, Cork, Tommy Barker reports

STARTERS Budget breaks for First Time Buyers in 2012 will see renewed viewings.

Garfinny, Dingle, Co. Kerry

• Residential holding of 27.57 acres with extensive road frontages, situated within a short distance from Scartaglin.

• Two storey dwellinghouse comprises: Porch; Sittingroom; three Bedrooms.

Double glazed windows.

• Hayshed and corrugated iron roofed shed.

Guide Price €220,000

INTERIORS DIY GARDENING ANTIQUES CLASSIFIED

PROPERTY EDITOR Tommy Barker, 021 4802221 property@examiner.ie INTERIORS EDITOR Sue O’Connor, 021 4802386 interiors@examiner.ie INTERIORS ADVERTISING Ger Duggan, 021 4802192 interiorads@examiner.ie PROPERTY ADVERTISING Marguerite Stafford, 021 4802100 marguerite.stafford@examiner.ie

2

Barry Auctioneers & Valuers

16 Cook Street, Cork T: 021-4251010 M: 087 2527485 www.mkodc.com

O’Donoghue & Clarke

25 Paul Street · Cork

T: 021-4279393 / F: 021-4279391 Auctioneers Valuers Web www.andrewmoore.ie

Price €250,000

O’Donoghue & Clarke

VERDICT: The location is rural, and the house is well-delivered on its acre. Ideal for those who want comfort in the countryside retreat. Cork city’s within a manageable commute too.

ANDREW MOORE & CO.

• 2 810 sq ft Detached house on 2 Acres • 1080 sq ft Detached Double Garage with kids playroom at rear •.Wonderful opportunity to put your own finishing touches to this spacious house.

• Two large living rooms, kitchen/dining room and sun room .

• Four double bedrooms two ensuite bathrooms • Built in wardrobes in all the bedrooms

Guide Price €575,000

with CAT 5 and satellite cabling (engineer was Ian O’Flynn of Harrington O’Flynn.)

According to Mr McGrath, this Ballyard home is a quality property, with a certain Wow! factor, and its centrepiece is the open and airy hall (with overhead Velux). Its level of joinery in the distinctive gallery landing and staircase lifts it, literally, above the norm.

Reduced to €135,000

Glynn, Mourneabbey, Co. Cork

“Mardel House”, Clash Road, Carrigrohane, Co. Cork

OU’D sort of know that the owners of this the extra-high sun room opening to the back garden family home at Ballyard, Dungourney, about and patio. eight miles from Midleton in rural east Cork, Built about three years ago, it comes up for sale with had built before — there’s the feeling they Miah McGrath of McCarthy and McGrath in Midleton, knew what they wanted. guiding the four-bedroomed one-off at €380,000, and The contemporary take on the two-storey farmhouse stressing the level and quality of finish. works in the Rooms include double setting, just perhaps Location: height hallway with Dungourney, Cork needing tree gallery landing in its Price: €380,000 planting and other middle, a feature open landscaping to hardwood staircase Size: 250 sq m (2,700 sq ft) further bed it down with slender steel Bedrooms: 4 on its grassy acre balusters or rods, a site, which faces sitting room, play BER rating: B2 toward a forestryrooms, open and large Broadband: Yes covered hill north kitchen/living/dining of Midleton. room with oak units, Best asset: Bright comfort thanks to good Already, this wellwhite quartz stone BER rating proportioned storey topped island and and a half/tworecessed lighting with storey home has a children’s play area to the rear like terrazzo-type marble tiled floor, utility and guest WC. a small adventure park, along with outbuildings and Overhead the master bedroom is en suite, with a sheds (with safe compound for dogs), and plenty of car stand-alone bedhead between the bed and the walk-in parking and turning space in front, ready for future wardrobe/dressing room and an en suite bathroom, seasons of colourful garden planting along the there’s a main family bathroom, plus a shared ‘Jack perimeter. And, the back garden’s lawn is cut into by a and Jill’ en suite between two of the other bedrooms. sizeable paved space, ideal for shooting basketball Heating here is via a four-zone oil-fired burner, plus hoops well away from pristine white painted walls. there’s a solid fuel Waterford Erin stove with back The house itself (designed by Barry Mulcahy in boiler as a dual fuel option, raised on small stone Midleton) has crisp white render, with black pvc plinth in the sitting room. In addition, it has a windows, Thrutone slate roof and is set off in front pressurised hot water system and has been plumbed and behind by some judicious use of limestone, and set up for solar panels. Other extra provision modestly by the porch/front entrance, and behind in touches include lots of sockets, TV and phone points,

• Executor Sale • Refurbished cottage of 1,100 sq.ft.

• Charm and character in a wooded setting • Edge of Macroom, city side, half hour commute • 3⁄4 of an acre of level and landscaped gardens • Solicitor: Mullins Lynch Byrne

Guide Price €280,000 (reduced).

Guide Price €200,000

ANDREW MOORE & CO.

Cill, Macroom, Co. Cork

T

HERE’S a big — and sensible — price reduction now on 1, Golden Grove, a super-attractive Victorian home on Cork city’s main Douglas Road. It’s been taken down now to €550,00, from its June launch of €710,000 — and which even at the time seemed rich in the market-day realities.

It shows well, say selling agents Sherry FitzGerald, even in dreary December, and is in some ways a house of two halves — nicely traditional in front, with a deep drawing room perfect for Yuletide fires, while a more contemporary rear with a sun-room addition changes the house’s tone.

It’s a tasty 20’ by 11’ piece of working architecture, with vaulted ceiling and oak floor, in effect a comfortable garden room overlooking a small, but immaculately tended dog-leg of a private garden.

Elsewhere, original features have been kept, enhanced, original sash windows have working shutters, the hall floor has its old tiles polished up, and ceilings are high, with decorative plasterwork.

Location: Price: Size: Bedrooms: Broadband:

Douglas, Cork €550,000 290 sq m (3,100 sq ft) 5/6 Yes

VERDICT: A lovely house, great location within a walk of the city and Douglas, with off-street parking for three/four cars.

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

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PROPERTY

TRADING UP

Sq m: 134 (1,450 sq ft) BER rating: Pending

Bedrooms: 4 Broadband: Yes

THINK Calderwood in Cork’s Donnybrook up above Douglas and you’d be inclined to think of semidetacheds dating back to the 1970s, one of the very earliest Owen O’Callaghan residential developments.

Well, 1 Calderwood Road is very different, even if it seems to share the same grey brick with the semis built close to it. It’s detached, it’s a bungalow, and the site is sizeable, calculated at one third of an acre by estate agent Ann O’Mahony of Sherry FitzGerald.

She guides the well-kept home which has had recent investment in it at €260,000, and that’s for a good-size 1,450 sq ft four-bed, with one en suite bedroom. It has a conservatory with a southerly aspect off one of the other bedroom — an unusual approach/ access, but a breakfast-spot bonus for the room occupants once they don’t mind the odd bit of through-traffic.

There are also two reception rooms, each a good enough size, plus kitchen/ dining room, with newly-fitted white gloss units, and utility with guest WC. “It’s a lovely bright house, with plenty of space, it’s good value at the price, with very private, mature and sunny gardens,” says Ms O’Mahony.

VERDICT: The site size is almost that of a country bungalow, yet the location is handy suburban, a short walk to Douglas.

Sq m: 165 (1,800 sq ft) BER rating: Pending

WEST CORK €445,000 Bedrooms: 5 Broadband: Yes

COMING for sale hot on the heels of a successful sale agreed up the road of a fully refurbished red-brick period home at 4 Limerick’s Munster Terrace (making less than its €495,000 guide) comes another similar era offering with O’Connor Murphy Gubbins.

Just listed in the last few weeks is the refurbished mid-terrace house No 5 Swanson Terrace, on O’Connell Avenue, Limerick. Agents OMG guide it at €320,000, and say it has several options for two categories of buyers, as its ground level is laid out as a selfcontained apartment, with kitchen, living room and bedroom and bathroom.

Overhead are options for first and second floor bedrooms or livingrooms, it’s all very adaptable, and easily switched back to private family use, say the selling agents, noting that period-era features such as original fireplaces have been retained. The lower level is selfcontained, but the staircase can be opened back up very simply too.

So, No 5 could have an investor appeal, or appeal to a family, especially one who needs distinct accommodation options, for independent yet live-athome adults, or older relatives.

It’s a five minute walk to the city centre, and there’s a rear garden/ courtyard, with garage.

VERDICT: Already upgraded, this is a city period offering with options.

Sq m: 299 (3,200 sq ft) BER rating: Pending

DOUGLAS, CORK €355,000 Bedrooms: 6 Broadband: Yes

BUILT by a man who spent years building in the US, this Gallanes, Rosscarbery, West Cork home has the best of both sides of the Atlantic to it.

There’s an openness and airiness typical of American homes, with luxury to match, says estate agent Ray O’Neill of Sherry FitzGerald O’Neill in nearby Clonakilty, seeking offers around €445,000 for the 3,200 sq ft dormer on an acre, complete with lofted garage, productive glass house and fruit and vegetable garden as well as lawns.

It is all in excellent order, says Mr O’Neill, with some very high quality joinery work, built-ins in rich hued timbers, and large living spaces, most with extra-high ceilings.

It is all very adaptable, especially as there are quality en suite bedrooms at both ground and first floor levels.

Location is strong, just over an hour from Cork city, and a mile from Rosscarbery, off the road to Glandore, with beaches and amenities to hand.

Selling agent Ray O’Neill says the west Cork property market probably performed more strongly than most others in 2011, with buyers from home, Britain and Continental Europe, including Germany.

VERDICT: An impressive property package on an acre, with a well-built and very well-kept home done to an above average standard, inside and out.

THIS lodge-style period home has seen the good days, and the bad days and now, is half way back to good days once more.

Taken in hand some time ago by an architect who got stuck into its renovation and salvation, it is now a reasonably well-advanced refurbishment, with a gameplan presumably in place to its final finishing touches.

However, with a way to go, it comes to market with estate agent Timothy Sullivan, who guides the 1830’s dwelling on a quarter acre at Barnahely, Ringaskiddy at €180,000.

It was at one time part of a far larger estate, and while the land is shorn from it, nonetheless there’s a rural feel

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

Orion’s period facade masks open-plan, light-filled interior in west Cork. Tommy Barker reports

T

RINGASKIDDY, CORK €180,000

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Bright ‘star’ home in a coastal village

We scan a selection of trading up homes around the country

LIMERICK €320,000

DONNYBROOK, CORK €260,000

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Sq m: 135 (1,450 sq ft) BER rating: Pending

Sq m: 154 (1,650 sq ft) BER rating: D1

Bedrooms:4 Broadband: Yes

A GOOD sized, family home, with loads of work done to it, in a good location, with decent living space — that’s 3 Lislee Road in a nutshell.

The four-bed semi-detached family home by the foot of Maryborough Hill in Cork’s Douglas weighs in at 1,650 sq ft, and that’s excluding a spacious, plumbed converted attic for storage with over 200 sq ft of space, with Velux and permanent staircase.

And, it is all on offer for €355,000 via agent Dennis Guerin of Frank V Murphy & Co, who says it fills the sort of demand currently unmet in the city’s residential market. It comes to market in ready-to-move-into condition, contrasting with the same auctioneering firm’s just-agreed agreed of a similar era semi in Endsleigh, inner Douglas.

That one needed a lot of work, and made about €300,000.

No 3 Lislee Road has a bay window extension to the front in the 17’ by 14’ sitting room, a good 20’ by 14’ kitchen extension in country style, with a feature side wall in brick, and the family/living room is also wellproportioned at 18’ by 12’.

Overhead are four bedrooms, and main family bathrooms. There’s a cobble-lock front drive, small lawn and sunny southerly aspected back garden.

VERDICT: As semis of this era go, it’s as spacious as you’d want.

Bedrooms: 2 Broadband: Yes

to the setting, says Mr Sullivan.

Although with only two bedrooms in the current configuration, he says the 1,450 sq ft two-storey home (dormer seems too modern a description for it) is deceptively spacious, and has some magnificent older style features — but excluding age-appropriate sash windows, the current ones are in PVC. This is a project opportunity rarely available in locations like this, he adds.

VERDICT: There are period features in a manageable size dwelling, with some outbuildings as well on the site, all with a 20-minute commute or so of Cork city.

HERE’s star quality in this Castletownshend, west Cork village home — it is called Orion, after one of the brightest constellations in the galaxy, with that constellation called after the Greek hunter Orion.

Estate agent Pat Maguire hopes that a major price cut on Orion will bring keen home hunters for viewings — and no telescopes required.

Standing up to close scrutiny, Orion Cottage, on the landmark steep hill in this scenic coastal village with its twin trees in the middle of the vertiginous street, is a fully overhauled period townhouse, done with some elan, plus a fair amount of investment.

It’s a certainty much more was spent on acquiring it and painstakingly improving it than its asking price now commands, for its owners who came from overseas.

It has had about €100,000 taken off its earlier AMV in a bid to get a sale, now down to €250,000 from a far higher hope earlier this year, and that’s for a quality home of 1,800 sq ft, with a bright and contemporary interior, in contrast to its characterful, sash-windowed front.

In fact, contemporary is probably overstating the look: think more crisp and clean, with a very large main openplan living space, about 30’ by 16’. It has a kitchen at one end and an inglenookstyle fireplace with solid-fuel stove at the other end, with one of the house’s two staircases part-dividing the two spaces.

The kitchen, a modern take on country, has painted Shaker-style units and ceramic sink and drainer, and floors

in this large interlinked room are terracotta tiles, with rugs softening it all underfoot. The ground level of this deep house (it has a lengthy, slightly stepped extension running directly out the back, brightened with lots of French doors) also has a utility, and a guest bedroom, plus a hall/reception area with second stairs up to the en-suite master bedroom.

An unusual mix is the perfect escape from old world woes, writes Tommy Barker

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A sort of long-term development project, it’s been on the market since earlier this year, and now Kenmare agent DNG Timothy O’Sullivan guides the entire package at €185,000, billing it as “a once in a lifetime chance to acquire a property and land commanding spectacular views.”

It really is a classic rural retreat, and while work has been done on buildings and the land, the main house needs

Location: Price: Size: Bedrooms: BER rating: Broadband: Best feature:

Elsewhere, upstairs, are two more bedrooms, and main bathroom, all with recessed lighting.

Orion Cottage was, at one time, the home of the local district nurse, and a bonus of this street-side home is its slight set-back-off-the-street location, plus gravelled side drive leading around to the south-facing patio.

There’s off-street parking, a lovely old

Animal haven or organic nirvana REEN living beckons at this Ballagh, Cork/Kerry border area hideaway, with a touch of the Sound of Music to its upland setting.

However, instead of imagining the Von Trapp family coming in full song over the hills, try a chorus of cats, or pack of dogs giving full rein to their freedom — because this is animal heaven, or organic nirvana.

An unusual property mix, this three acre holding has traditional house, old stone barn part converted and weatherproofed, as well as log cabin, cattery, small pond, and paddocks.

It’s all up a fairly recently made new mile-long road or avenue though verdant countryside, strewn with spruce and ash trees, with views all around, and the route includes a bridge crossing of the River Shaheny.

Location depends on your perspective, it’s either the middle of nowhere, or there’s nowhere nicer you’d want to be.

It’s near Kenmare and Kilgarvan, and within a walking trek is Gougane Barra forest park and hill-rim horseshoe walk.

Further in the distant views are Killarney’s National Park and the MacGillcuddy Reeks.

PROPERTY

Location: Price: Size: Bedrooms: BER rating: Best feature:

doing up — even a lick of paint would change its appearance for the brighter.

The house is your standard stone dwelling, with slate roof, straight roof ridge, and most rooms inside have a double aspect — in other words, it’s only one room wide.

Overhead has two bedrooms, one with fireplace, and a bathroom, and below is a kitchen/dining room with inglenook fireplace plus separate sitting room,

West Cork €250,000 168 (1,800 sq ft) 4 Pending Yes High quality renovation

world feel to the private grounds, thanks to retained old-stone boundary wall, and there’s a raised lawn area at the garden’s extremity.

VERDICT: Niche village living, in a noted beauty spot, with shop, pub, restaurant, pier and boat berth facilities all a minute away, and Cork city and airport are a 90-minute spin away.

Kilgarvan, Kerry €185,000 90sq m (980 sq ft) plus buildings 2 plus barn Pending Tranquillity

also with an open fireplace, and solid fuel heating appears the norm — so thankfully there’s woodland all around.

The land is a cultivated acre, with two further acres of paddocks or meadow, with one portion very well fenced, hence the attraction for animals keepers/boarding kennels/cattery.

VERDICT: If you want an escape from the world’s woes, this could be it.

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

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PROPERTY

TRADING UP

Sq m: 134 (1,450 sq ft) BER rating: Pending

Bedrooms: 4 Broadband: Yes

THINK Calderwood in Cork’s Donnybrook up above Douglas and you’d be inclined to think of semidetacheds dating back to the 1970s, one of the very earliest Owen O’Callaghan residential developments.

Well, 1 Calderwood Road is very different, even if it seems to share the same grey brick with the semis built close to it. It’s detached, it’s a bungalow, and the site is sizeable, calculated at one third of an acre by estate agent Ann O’Mahony of Sherry FitzGerald.

She guides the well-kept home which has had recent investment in it at €260,000, and that’s for a good-size 1,450 sq ft four-bed, with one en suite bedroom. It has a conservatory with a southerly aspect off one of the other bedroom — an unusual approach/ access, but a breakfast-spot bonus for the room occupants once they don’t mind the odd bit of through-traffic.

There are also two reception rooms, each a good enough size, plus kitchen/ dining room, with newly-fitted white gloss units, and utility with guest WC. “It’s a lovely bright house, with plenty of space, it’s good value at the price, with very private, mature and sunny gardens,” says Ms O’Mahony.

VERDICT: The site size is almost that of a country bungalow, yet the location is handy suburban, a short walk to Douglas.

Sq m: 165 (1,800 sq ft) BER rating: Pending

WEST CORK €445,000 Bedrooms: 5 Broadband: Yes

COMING for sale hot on the heels of a successful sale agreed up the road of a fully refurbished red-brick period home at 4 Limerick’s Munster Terrace (making less than its €495,000 guide) comes another similar era offering with O’Connor Murphy Gubbins.

Just listed in the last few weeks is the refurbished mid-terrace house No 5 Swanson Terrace, on O’Connell Avenue, Limerick. Agents OMG guide it at €320,000, and say it has several options for two categories of buyers, as its ground level is laid out as a selfcontained apartment, with kitchen, living room and bedroom and bathroom.

Overhead are options for first and second floor bedrooms or livingrooms, it’s all very adaptable, and easily switched back to private family use, say the selling agents, noting that period-era features such as original fireplaces have been retained. The lower level is selfcontained, but the staircase can be opened back up very simply too.

So, No 5 could have an investor appeal, or appeal to a family, especially one who needs distinct accommodation options, for independent yet live-athome adults, or older relatives.

It’s a five minute walk to the city centre, and there’s a rear garden/ courtyard, with garage.

VERDICT: Already upgraded, this is a city period offering with options.

Sq m: 299 (3,200 sq ft) BER rating: Pending

DOUGLAS, CORK €355,000 Bedrooms: 6 Broadband: Yes

BUILT by a man who spent years building in the US, this Gallanes, Rosscarbery, West Cork home has the best of both sides of the Atlantic to it.

There’s an openness and airiness typical of American homes, with luxury to match, says estate agent Ray O’Neill of Sherry FitzGerald O’Neill in nearby Clonakilty, seeking offers around €445,000 for the 3,200 sq ft dormer on an acre, complete with lofted garage, productive glass house and fruit and vegetable garden as well as lawns.

It is all in excellent order, says Mr O’Neill, with some very high quality joinery work, built-ins in rich hued timbers, and large living spaces, most with extra-high ceilings.

It is all very adaptable, especially as there are quality en suite bedrooms at both ground and first floor levels.

Location is strong, just over an hour from Cork city, and a mile from Rosscarbery, off the road to Glandore, with beaches and amenities to hand.

Selling agent Ray O’Neill says the west Cork property market probably performed more strongly than most others in 2011, with buyers from home, Britain and Continental Europe, including Germany.

VERDICT: An impressive property package on an acre, with a well-built and very well-kept home done to an above average standard, inside and out.

THIS lodge-style period home has seen the good days, and the bad days and now, is half way back to good days once more.

Taken in hand some time ago by an architect who got stuck into its renovation and salvation, it is now a reasonably well-advanced refurbishment, with a gameplan presumably in place to its final finishing touches.

However, with a way to go, it comes to market with estate agent Timothy Sullivan, who guides the 1830’s dwelling on a quarter acre at Barnahely, Ringaskiddy at €180,000.

It was at one time part of a far larger estate, and while the land is shorn from it, nonetheless there’s a rural feel

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

Orion’s period facade masks open-plan, light-filled interior in west Cork. Tommy Barker reports

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RINGASKIDDY, CORK €180,000

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Bright ‘star’ home in a coastal village

We scan a selection of trading up homes around the country

LIMERICK €320,000

DONNYBROOK, CORK €260,000

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Sq m: 135 (1,450 sq ft) BER rating: Pending

Sq m: 154 (1,650 sq ft) BER rating: D1

Bedrooms:4 Broadband: Yes

A GOOD sized, family home, with loads of work done to it, in a good location, with decent living space — that’s 3 Lislee Road in a nutshell.

The four-bed semi-detached family home by the foot of Maryborough Hill in Cork’s Douglas weighs in at 1,650 sq ft, and that’s excluding a spacious, plumbed converted attic for storage with over 200 sq ft of space, with Velux and permanent staircase.

And, it is all on offer for €355,000 via agent Dennis Guerin of Frank V Murphy & Co, who says it fills the sort of demand currently unmet in the city’s residential market. It comes to market in ready-to-move-into condition, contrasting with the same auctioneering firm’s just-agreed agreed of a similar era semi in Endsleigh, inner Douglas.

That one needed a lot of work, and made about €300,000.

No 3 Lislee Road has a bay window extension to the front in the 17’ by 14’ sitting room, a good 20’ by 14’ kitchen extension in country style, with a feature side wall in brick, and the family/living room is also wellproportioned at 18’ by 12’.

Overhead are four bedrooms, and main family bathrooms. There’s a cobble-lock front drive, small lawn and sunny southerly aspected back garden.

VERDICT: As semis of this era go, it’s as spacious as you’d want.

Bedrooms: 2 Broadband: Yes

to the setting, says Mr Sullivan.

Although with only two bedrooms in the current configuration, he says the 1,450 sq ft two-storey home (dormer seems too modern a description for it) is deceptively spacious, and has some magnificent older style features — but excluding age-appropriate sash windows, the current ones are in PVC. This is a project opportunity rarely available in locations like this, he adds.

VERDICT: There are period features in a manageable size dwelling, with some outbuildings as well on the site, all with a 20-minute commute or so of Cork city.

HERE’s star quality in this Castletownshend, west Cork village home — it is called Orion, after one of the brightest constellations in the galaxy, with that constellation called after the Greek hunter Orion.

Estate agent Pat Maguire hopes that a major price cut on Orion will bring keen home hunters for viewings — and no telescopes required.

Standing up to close scrutiny, Orion Cottage, on the landmark steep hill in this scenic coastal village with its twin trees in the middle of the vertiginous street, is a fully overhauled period townhouse, done with some elan, plus a fair amount of investment.

It’s a certainty much more was spent on acquiring it and painstakingly improving it than its asking price now commands, for its owners who came from overseas.

It has had about €100,000 taken off its earlier AMV in a bid to get a sale, now down to €250,000 from a far higher hope earlier this year, and that’s for a quality home of 1,800 sq ft, with a bright and contemporary interior, in contrast to its characterful, sash-windowed front.

In fact, contemporary is probably overstating the look: think more crisp and clean, with a very large main openplan living space, about 30’ by 16’. It has a kitchen at one end and an inglenookstyle fireplace with solid-fuel stove at the other end, with one of the house’s two staircases part-dividing the two spaces.

The kitchen, a modern take on country, has painted Shaker-style units and ceramic sink and drainer, and floors

in this large interlinked room are terracotta tiles, with rugs softening it all underfoot. The ground level of this deep house (it has a lengthy, slightly stepped extension running directly out the back, brightened with lots of French doors) also has a utility, and a guest bedroom, plus a hall/reception area with second stairs up to the en-suite master bedroom.

An unusual mix is the perfect escape from old world woes, writes Tommy Barker

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A sort of long-term development project, it’s been on the market since earlier this year, and now Kenmare agent DNG Timothy O’Sullivan guides the entire package at €185,000, billing it as “a once in a lifetime chance to acquire a property and land commanding spectacular views.”

It really is a classic rural retreat, and while work has been done on buildings and the land, the main house needs

Location: Price: Size: Bedrooms: BER rating: Broadband: Best feature:

Elsewhere, upstairs, are two more bedrooms, and main bathroom, all with recessed lighting.

Orion Cottage was, at one time, the home of the local district nurse, and a bonus of this street-side home is its slight set-back-off-the-street location, plus gravelled side drive leading around to the south-facing patio.

There’s off-street parking, a lovely old

Animal haven or organic nirvana REEN living beckons at this Ballagh, Cork/Kerry border area hideaway, with a touch of the Sound of Music to its upland setting.

However, instead of imagining the Von Trapp family coming in full song over the hills, try a chorus of cats, or pack of dogs giving full rein to their freedom — because this is animal heaven, or organic nirvana.

An unusual property mix, this three acre holding has traditional house, old stone barn part converted and weatherproofed, as well as log cabin, cattery, small pond, and paddocks.

It’s all up a fairly recently made new mile-long road or avenue though verdant countryside, strewn with spruce and ash trees, with views all around, and the route includes a bridge crossing of the River Shaheny.

Location depends on your perspective, it’s either the middle of nowhere, or there’s nowhere nicer you’d want to be.

It’s near Kenmare and Kilgarvan, and within a walking trek is Gougane Barra forest park and hill-rim horseshoe walk.

Further in the distant views are Killarney’s National Park and the MacGillcuddy Reeks.

PROPERTY

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doing up — even a lick of paint would change its appearance for the brighter.

The house is your standard stone dwelling, with slate roof, straight roof ridge, and most rooms inside have a double aspect — in other words, it’s only one room wide.

Overhead has two bedrooms, one with fireplace, and a bathroom, and below is a kitchen/dining room with inglenook fireplace plus separate sitting room,

West Cork €250,000 168 (1,800 sq ft) 4 Pending Yes High quality renovation

world feel to the private grounds, thanks to retained old-stone boundary wall, and there’s a raised lawn area at the garden’s extremity.

VERDICT: Niche village living, in a noted beauty spot, with shop, pub, restaurant, pier and boat berth facilities all a minute away, and Cork city and airport are a 90-minute spin away.

Kilgarvan, Kerry €185,000 90sq m (980 sq ft) plus buildings 2 plus barn Pending Tranquillity

also with an open fireplace, and solid fuel heating appears the norm — so thankfully there’s woodland all around.

The land is a cultivated acre, with two further acres of paddocks or meadow, with one portion very well fenced, hence the attraction for animals keepers/boarding kennels/cattery.

VERDICT: If you want an escape from the world’s woes, this could be it.

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

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PROPERTY FEATURE

Appealing renovation Some lovely rural views are a bonus at the Old Stone Barn in West Cork, writes Tommy Barker

Location: Price: Size: Bedrooms: BER rating: Broadband:

TURNER’S CROSS, CORK €110,000 Sq m: 60 (646 sq ft) BER rating: Pending

Bedrooms: 2/3 Broadband:Yes

This two/three bedroomed terraced house at 37, Fr Mathew Road, Turner’s Cross, Cork, is within a brisk walk of the city and is also located close to the south ring network, in a mature, residential area.

The guide price of €110,000 via agents Christy Ryan should suit first time buyers, but as the house will need renovation, and maybe an extension, those costs should be factored in to the overall spend.

VERDICT: A good starter home which could also suit an investment property, as the location is so close to town.

ROCHESTOWN, CORK €265,000 Sq m: 125 (1,340 sq ft) BER rating: Pending

Bedrooms: 3 Broadband: Yes

PROBABLY weighing in the upper end of the price threshold for most first time buyers is 73 Foxwood, a smart and sizeable semi-d that could well be a job for life.

Selling agent Jeremy Murphy has had some very recent sale successes in this Rochestown estate, and guides No 73 with its pleasant rear garden sunroom extension at €265,000.

It has three bedrooms, three bathrooms and two reception rooms, with the sun room off the back one, with a walled in sunny garden beyond, he adds.

VERDICT: If you don’t need more than three bedrooms, it has all the space you’d want.

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

Model Farm Road, Cork €260,000 134 sq m (1,450 sq ft) 4 Pending Yes

Kenley home may appeal to FTBs

Model Farm Road, Cork, four-bed property comes with extension, Tommy Barker reports IT’S been a while since a good suburban home at this price level was pitched at first-time buyers, but that could again be the case as Budget 2012 brought some relatively good cheer in terms of a generous mortgage interest relief from 15% to 25% for buyers who make the purchase jump by the end of 2012.

(And, sticking to promises in the Programme for Government, mortgage interest relief of 30% is confirmed for FTBs who took out mortgages in the peak-cost period 2004-2008.)

The week’s budget got a broad welcome for several initiatives to stabilise the property sector, on both commercial and residential fronts, but the real key still remains access to funding and borrowing.

However, some lucky FTBs with secure jobs may well go on the hunt now in Cork’s western suburbs:

possible employment backgrounds could be medical, IT or education.

If so, the likes of 10 Kenley Close Upper, off the Model Farm Road, is going to appeal. For the peak property market price of standard two-bed suburban apartments, house-hunters can now get a four-bed, 1,450 sq ft traditional but extended semi-d, with a good 25’ by 14’ double aspect living rom, a family room, kitchen, large utility, guest WC and four overhead bedrooms.

Overall condition is good, says agent Johnny O’Flynn of Sherry FitzGerald, with gas heating, double glazing, off-street parking and it has a blockbuilt shed in the back garden.

VERDICT: A lot of house on offer here, just needing a bit of personalising.

Water Keeper’s Cottage with lots of potential in beautiful surroundings Estate agent angling to catch a buyer for older-style cottage, reports Tommy Barker Location: Price: Size: Bedrooms: BER rating: Broadband:

East Cork €195,000 54 sq m (600 sq ft) 2 G Yes

ANGLING to catch a buyer for the Water Keeper’s Cottage, by the water’s edge at Loughaderra, Castlemartyr, is Midleton estate agent Miah McGrath, of McCarthy & McGrath.

The older-style bungalow/cottage is on an acre, with a large outbuilding, separated from the water’s edge of the popular lough by a quiet access road.

The lake, about 16 miles east of Cork city is on the side of the N25 Cork-Rosslare, and has a fishery maintained by the South West Regional Fisheries Board, and it’s stocked with brown trout and rainbow trout, as well as rudd and eels. There are fishing boats for hire on the modest-sized lake, which is also popular with leisure small boat users, canoeists, and windsurfers.

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Pictures: Denis Scannell

At present, the Waterkeeper’s Cottage is in a quite basic state, and in any new ownership is likely to be invested in a good bit more, extended or even replaced, as the site’s size and setting justifies a bit of investment. “Although the cottage is in need of renovation this is a rare opportunity to acquire a property with lots of potential set in beautiful surroundings,” comments Mr McGrath.

Rooms now include two bedrooms, a 14’ by 13’ living room, a kitchen, porch, and WC. VERDICT: The chance to build on an acre, with water aspect, overlooking a popular fishing and wildlife spot, a mile from Castlemartyr and four miles from Midleton.

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ULL OF colourful furniture and quirky fun hot tub in the covered over decking) could suit inside is this easy-on-the-eye stone house and someone wanting independent access for home office barn conversion in west Cork. Called the Old use or even holiday letting, says Mr Maguire.

Stone Barn, it’s an appealing cluster at a place Internally, what’s most distinctive is the upper level called Kilnsagospagh, a ten minute spin by car from kitchen/dining area, about 30’ long and 14’ wide, Skibbereen, and is up on a elevation giving it a sweep under the roof and marked out by exposed darkof pleasing rural views — best savoured from its stained roof beams, all kept bright and cheerful thanks covered to a range of Veluxes, veranda. It’s a two each side in the Location: West Cork property that roof.

Price: €280,000 has changed Other rooms back hands at least down at ground level Size: 168 sq m (1,800 sq ft) once since its are a double aspect Bedrooms: 4 total overhaul sitting room with solid about ten years fuel stove, open tread BER rating: Pending ago, when it staircase and slateBroadband: Yes was taken in tiled floor, all given a hand by a duo look with lots Best feature: Comfort, charm, colourful character cheery of serial of colour. There are up renovators to four bedrooms, one who’ve done nearly a dozen barn/farmhouse renewal of them en suite, several have high or vaulted ceilings, around west Cork. The current owners have put their and the main family bathroom has an old-fashioned own individual mark on the property, adding warmth cast iron roll-top bath and high-level antique cistern to the interior and minding its grounds, exterior and for the WC. seating area, with total site area of over half an acre.

One of the bedrooms can also function as a study; Auctioneer Pat Maguire in nearby Skibbereen seeks that’s the one at the far end of the house, opening to offers around €280,000, and says the location is very the veranda with its hot tub. central in west Cork, within an easy drive to the coast, to Schull, Baltimore and more, and he describes its VERDICT: There’s great personality in the house in a grounds as tree-lined. handy, accessible location, perfect for families, Because of its layout, in a sort of L-shape, the room retirees, holidays, and rentals. Beats boring boxes, at one gable end by the covered veranda (with sunken that’s for sure.

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

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PROPERTY FEATURE

Appealing renovation Some lovely rural views are a bonus at the Old Stone Barn in West Cork, writes Tommy Barker

Location: Price: Size: Bedrooms: BER rating: Broadband:

TURNER’S CROSS, CORK €110,000 Sq m: 60 (646 sq ft) BER rating: Pending

Bedrooms: 2/3 Broadband:Yes

This two/three bedroomed terraced house at 37, Fr Mathew Road, Turner’s Cross, Cork, is within a brisk walk of the city and is also located close to the south ring network, in a mature, residential area.

The guide price of €110,000 via agents Christy Ryan should suit first time buyers, but as the house will need renovation, and maybe an extension, those costs should be factored in to the overall spend.

VERDICT: A good starter home which could also suit an investment property, as the location is so close to town.

ROCHESTOWN, CORK €265,000 Sq m: 125 (1,340 sq ft) BER rating: Pending

Bedrooms: 3 Broadband: Yes

PROBABLY weighing in the upper end of the price threshold for most first time buyers is 73 Foxwood, a smart and sizeable semi-d that could well be a job for life.

Selling agent Jeremy Murphy has had some very recent sale successes in this Rochestown estate, and guides No 73 with its pleasant rear garden sunroom extension at €265,000.

It has three bedrooms, three bathrooms and two reception rooms, with the sun room off the back one, with a walled in sunny garden beyond, he adds.

VERDICT: If you don’t need more than three bedrooms, it has all the space you’d want.

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

Model Farm Road, Cork €260,000 134 sq m (1,450 sq ft) 4 Pending Yes

Kenley home may appeal to FTBs

Model Farm Road, Cork, four-bed property comes with extension, Tommy Barker reports IT’S been a while since a good suburban home at this price level was pitched at first-time buyers, but that could again be the case as Budget 2012 brought some relatively good cheer in terms of a generous mortgage interest relief from 15% to 25% for buyers who make the purchase jump by the end of 2012.

(And, sticking to promises in the Programme for Government, mortgage interest relief of 30% is confirmed for FTBs who took out mortgages in the peak-cost period 2004-2008.)

The week’s budget got a broad welcome for several initiatives to stabilise the property sector, on both commercial and residential fronts, but the real key still remains access to funding and borrowing.

However, some lucky FTBs with secure jobs may well go on the hunt now in Cork’s western suburbs:

possible employment backgrounds could be medical, IT or education.

If so, the likes of 10 Kenley Close Upper, off the Model Farm Road, is going to appeal. For the peak property market price of standard two-bed suburban apartments, house-hunters can now get a four-bed, 1,450 sq ft traditional but extended semi-d, with a good 25’ by 14’ double aspect living rom, a family room, kitchen, large utility, guest WC and four overhead bedrooms.

Overall condition is good, says agent Johnny O’Flynn of Sherry FitzGerald, with gas heating, double glazing, off-street parking and it has a blockbuilt shed in the back garden.

VERDICT: A lot of house on offer here, just needing a bit of personalising.

Water Keeper’s Cottage with lots of potential in beautiful surroundings Estate agent angling to catch a buyer for older-style cottage, reports Tommy Barker Location: Price: Size: Bedrooms: BER rating: Broadband:

East Cork €195,000 54 sq m (600 sq ft) 2 G Yes

ANGLING to catch a buyer for the Water Keeper’s Cottage, by the water’s edge at Loughaderra, Castlemartyr, is Midleton estate agent Miah McGrath, of McCarthy & McGrath.

The older-style bungalow/cottage is on an acre, with a large outbuilding, separated from the water’s edge of the popular lough by a quiet access road.

The lake, about 16 miles east of Cork city is on the side of the N25 Cork-Rosslare, and has a fishery maintained by the South West Regional Fisheries Board, and it’s stocked with brown trout and rainbow trout, as well as rudd and eels. There are fishing boats for hire on the modest-sized lake, which is also popular with leisure small boat users, canoeists, and windsurfers.

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Pictures: Denis Scannell

At present, the Waterkeeper’s Cottage is in a quite basic state, and in any new ownership is likely to be invested in a good bit more, extended or even replaced, as the site’s size and setting justifies a bit of investment. “Although the cottage is in need of renovation this is a rare opportunity to acquire a property with lots of potential set in beautiful surroundings,” comments Mr McGrath.

Rooms now include two bedrooms, a 14’ by 13’ living room, a kitchen, porch, and WC. VERDICT: The chance to build on an acre, with water aspect, overlooking a popular fishing and wildlife spot, a mile from Castlemartyr and four miles from Midleton.

F

ULL OF colourful furniture and quirky fun hot tub in the covered over decking) could suit inside is this easy-on-the-eye stone house and someone wanting independent access for home office barn conversion in west Cork. Called the Old use or even holiday letting, says Mr Maguire.

Stone Barn, it’s an appealing cluster at a place Internally, what’s most distinctive is the upper level called Kilnsagospagh, a ten minute spin by car from kitchen/dining area, about 30’ long and 14’ wide, Skibbereen, and is up on a elevation giving it a sweep under the roof and marked out by exposed darkof pleasing rural views — best savoured from its stained roof beams, all kept bright and cheerful thanks covered to a range of Veluxes, veranda. It’s a two each side in the Location: West Cork property that roof.

Price: €280,000 has changed Other rooms back hands at least down at ground level Size: 168 sq m (1,800 sq ft) once since its are a double aspect Bedrooms: 4 total overhaul sitting room with solid about ten years fuel stove, open tread BER rating: Pending ago, when it staircase and slateBroadband: Yes was taken in tiled floor, all given a hand by a duo look with lots Best feature: Comfort, charm, colourful character cheery of serial of colour. There are up renovators to four bedrooms, one who’ve done nearly a dozen barn/farmhouse renewal of them en suite, several have high or vaulted ceilings, around west Cork. The current owners have put their and the main family bathroom has an old-fashioned own individual mark on the property, adding warmth cast iron roll-top bath and high-level antique cistern to the interior and minding its grounds, exterior and for the WC. seating area, with total site area of over half an acre.

One of the bedrooms can also function as a study; Auctioneer Pat Maguire in nearby Skibbereen seeks that’s the one at the far end of the house, opening to offers around €280,000, and says the location is very the veranda with its hot tub. central in west Cork, within an easy drive to the coast, to Schull, Baltimore and more, and he describes its VERDICT: There’s great personality in the house in a grounds as tree-lined. handy, accessible location, perfect for families, Because of its layout, in a sort of L-shape, the room retirees, holidays, and rentals. Beats boring boxes, at one gable end by the covered veranda (with sunken that’s for sure.

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

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COVER STORY

COVER STORY

Superb vista adds lustre to splendid Tralee residence

Location: Price: Size: Bedrooms: BER rating: Best feature:

Barrow West, Tralee €850,000 252 sq m (2,700 sq ft) 4 C Location, views

With views over Barrow Bay and Fenit, this four-bed property makes maximum use of location, Tommy Barker reports

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HE scenery is hard to beat in a location like this at Tralee’s Barrow East — but the house on this great site at least manages to hold its ground.

A contemporary build on an elevated acre a few miles from Tralee town, the detached fourbed with a quiet bit of swagger did the sensible and obvious thing — it deferred to its setting, and opened itself out to the vista below and beyond.

That sweep of views includes Barrow Bay, Fenit across the way, in the middle is Fenit Lighthouse, a nightly sentinel and sweeping beacon of reassurance, as well as mountains like the Reeks and the Slieve Mish ridge. Dingle’s hinterland can even be glimpsed on a fine day, off beyond Castlegregory.

“You only get all of those on a fine day, though, when the weather’s really bad it closes in a lot,” counsels the women of the house here who, it must be said, has a fair bit to look at in her home’s interiors, on days when the mist is down.

Used mostly, and only lightly, as a second or holiday home for most of its few short and young years, the Irish/British couple who own it, and who built it, are trading down.

They fell both individually, and later as a couple, for the location; ‘He’ is from Britain and came to play golf at Tralee Golf Club, while ‘she’ has local roots, as her grandfather had a pharmacy — Mangan’s Medical Hall — in Tralee, and “we called Barrow ‘Granny’s Beach,’ spending summers at play by the water.” For those not too familiar with the beaches, Barrow competed for attention with Banna and Ballyheigue, with Inch over the next peninsula south, and several beaches (along with Coomenoule) were used for David Lean’s 1970 movie Ryan’s Daughter.

Having met in this area, the

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Pictures: Denis Scannell couple went on to buy this fantastic site back around 1998, but with jobs and a house in Britain, were in no rush to build. It had outline planning at the time on it; they got full planning in 1999, started building much later, and finished it in 2008 — and it looks that fresh and new, down to its decor and furnishings.

It comes up for sale in the offseason with Tralee estate agent Ger Carmody, who pins a loose €850,000 price tag to it, and

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

who says after it gets its deserved viewings, he reckons they’ll be looking for offers. He expects some local professional interest, mostly from medics, as well as from the Tralee and Kerry diaspora, both resident elsewhere in Ireland and far further afield.

It will also have an appeal to younger, ‘lifestyle’ retirees, given its proximity to Tralee town (seven miles), walking paths, and a host of marine activities nearby, and with

Tralee Golf Club a two minute walk away. That highly acclaimed golf club was designed by Arnold Palmer as his first European course, and his memorable quote of his handiwork is “I designed the first nine, but surely God designed the back nine.”

If you are of the persuasion that golf is a good walk spoiled at least there are sandy walks around the stubby peninsula’s shoreline, opening to a sandy delta to its northern face.

This distinctive, but unflashy, 2,700 sq ft four-bed faces south across Barrow Bay, and so has a quite perfect aspect as well as prospect, and several windows have been placed so as to maximise the light, and the views. Even the kitchen window, on a side wall, has engrossing Barrow Bay views.

The initial design plan was to mimic two traditional cottage shapes, one seeming to slide past the other, but it evolved a bit in the build process, and possibly deviated a bit from it as a sort of single storey home alongside a two-storey one — but only the vendors and architects would probably know or care much.

The couple had commissioned Dublin-based architects Fitzpatrick and Mays, and the brief was for something which would look at home in its surroundings, so the house was burrowed down a bit into its site/hill, to minimise its impact.

The main living space is in the single storey, albeit internal double-height section, running about 52’ long from the full-height glazed front door out to the view. It’s a real ‘Big Room,’ about 18’ wide, open to the roof ’s apex, with painted beams and rafters (actually glulam trusses) with painted tongue and groove ceilings, with Veluxes. The look is continued decoratively, making for a strong Hamptpons home/ New England/Ralph Lauren

feel to it all.

A portion of this spacious run by the main entrance is given over to a fitted Rational kitchen, complete with integrated appliances, chunky granite-topped breakfast counter, and considered lighting — a mix of recessed, pendant, occasional lights and table lamps, as well wall-hung examples and some more

pinned to the rafters. The kitchen wall splashback is a full height of reddish marble tiles, for strong visual impact, while the extensive floor area is done in large, square Italian tiles. There are sliding doors at the living end to a south-west aspected balcony, down a few steps lower for shelter. The long side wall of this space also has a simple, unfussed open

fireplace, free of any surround or dust-gathering mantle.

All the bedroom accommodation is in the other, two-storey wing or block, and the staircase serving the upstairs sort of cuts through the divide, and is made in walnut, contrasting with some white painted trim and spindles, and — clever idea here — there’s carpet strips

inset into the treads for a soft touch and softening look.

Internal doors are also in walnut with FSB brand handles/ironmongery.

All four bedrooms are en suite, and the 16’ by 16’ master bedroom has a ‘false wall’ behind the bed, which creates a walk-through wardrobe behind and the quality en suite has a bath, wet room shower, and his

and hers sinks.

The three other bedrooms are all doubles, with abovestandard en suites, with a mix of walk-in showers, baths and one has a steam-shower and a sauna.

Other features buyers at this high end of the market will favour, says selling agent Ger Carmody, include 5-amp wiring for sockets, alarm and >>>

The initial design plan was to mimic two traditional cottage shapes, one seeming to slide past the other, but it evolved a bit

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

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COVER STORY

COVER STORY

Superb vista adds lustre to splendid Tralee residence

Location: Price: Size: Bedrooms: BER rating: Best feature:

Barrow West, Tralee €850,000 252 sq m (2,700 sq ft) 4 C Location, views

With views over Barrow Bay and Fenit, this four-bed property makes maximum use of location, Tommy Barker reports

T

HE scenery is hard to beat in a location like this at Tralee’s Barrow East — but the house on this great site at least manages to hold its ground.

A contemporary build on an elevated acre a few miles from Tralee town, the detached fourbed with a quiet bit of swagger did the sensible and obvious thing — it deferred to its setting, and opened itself out to the vista below and beyond.

That sweep of views includes Barrow Bay, Fenit across the way, in the middle is Fenit Lighthouse, a nightly sentinel and sweeping beacon of reassurance, as well as mountains like the Reeks and the Slieve Mish ridge. Dingle’s hinterland can even be glimpsed on a fine day, off beyond Castlegregory.

“You only get all of those on a fine day, though, when the weather’s really bad it closes in a lot,” counsels the women of the house here who, it must be said, has a fair bit to look at in her home’s interiors, on days when the mist is down.

Used mostly, and only lightly, as a second or holiday home for most of its few short and young years, the Irish/British couple who own it, and who built it, are trading down.

They fell both individually, and later as a couple, for the location; ‘He’ is from Britain and came to play golf at Tralee Golf Club, while ‘she’ has local roots, as her grandfather had a pharmacy — Mangan’s Medical Hall — in Tralee, and “we called Barrow ‘Granny’s Beach,’ spending summers at play by the water.” For those not too familiar with the beaches, Barrow competed for attention with Banna and Ballyheigue, with Inch over the next peninsula south, and several beaches (along with Coomenoule) were used for David Lean’s 1970 movie Ryan’s Daughter.

Having met in this area, the

8

Pictures: Denis Scannell couple went on to buy this fantastic site back around 1998, but with jobs and a house in Britain, were in no rush to build. It had outline planning at the time on it; they got full planning in 1999, started building much later, and finished it in 2008 — and it looks that fresh and new, down to its decor and furnishings.

It comes up for sale in the offseason with Tralee estate agent Ger Carmody, who pins a loose €850,000 price tag to it, and

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

who says after it gets its deserved viewings, he reckons they’ll be looking for offers. He expects some local professional interest, mostly from medics, as well as from the Tralee and Kerry diaspora, both resident elsewhere in Ireland and far further afield.

It will also have an appeal to younger, ‘lifestyle’ retirees, given its proximity to Tralee town (seven miles), walking paths, and a host of marine activities nearby, and with

Tralee Golf Club a two minute walk away. That highly acclaimed golf club was designed by Arnold Palmer as his first European course, and his memorable quote of his handiwork is “I designed the first nine, but surely God designed the back nine.”

If you are of the persuasion that golf is a good walk spoiled at least there are sandy walks around the stubby peninsula’s shoreline, opening to a sandy delta to its northern face.

This distinctive, but unflashy, 2,700 sq ft four-bed faces south across Barrow Bay, and so has a quite perfect aspect as well as prospect, and several windows have been placed so as to maximise the light, and the views. Even the kitchen window, on a side wall, has engrossing Barrow Bay views.

The initial design plan was to mimic two traditional cottage shapes, one seeming to slide past the other, but it evolved a bit in the build process, and possibly deviated a bit from it as a sort of single storey home alongside a two-storey one — but only the vendors and architects would probably know or care much.

The couple had commissioned Dublin-based architects Fitzpatrick and Mays, and the brief was for something which would look at home in its surroundings, so the house was burrowed down a bit into its site/hill, to minimise its impact.

The main living space is in the single storey, albeit internal double-height section, running about 52’ long from the full-height glazed front door out to the view. It’s a real ‘Big Room,’ about 18’ wide, open to the roof ’s apex, with painted beams and rafters (actually glulam trusses) with painted tongue and groove ceilings, with Veluxes. The look is continued decoratively, making for a strong Hamptpons home/ New England/Ralph Lauren

feel to it all.

A portion of this spacious run by the main entrance is given over to a fitted Rational kitchen, complete with integrated appliances, chunky granite-topped breakfast counter, and considered lighting — a mix of recessed, pendant, occasional lights and table lamps, as well wall-hung examples and some more

pinned to the rafters. The kitchen wall splashback is a full height of reddish marble tiles, for strong visual impact, while the extensive floor area is done in large, square Italian tiles. There are sliding doors at the living end to a south-west aspected balcony, down a few steps lower for shelter. The long side wall of this space also has a simple, unfussed open

fireplace, free of any surround or dust-gathering mantle.

All the bedroom accommodation is in the other, two-storey wing or block, and the staircase serving the upstairs sort of cuts through the divide, and is made in walnut, contrasting with some white painted trim and spindles, and — clever idea here — there’s carpet strips

inset into the treads for a soft touch and softening look.

Internal doors are also in walnut with FSB brand handles/ironmongery.

All four bedrooms are en suite, and the 16’ by 16’ master bedroom has a ‘false wall’ behind the bed, which creates a walk-through wardrobe behind and the quality en suite has a bath, wet room shower, and his

and hers sinks.

The three other bedrooms are all doubles, with abovestandard en suites, with a mix of walk-in showers, baths and one has a steam-shower and a sauna.

Other features buyers at this high end of the market will favour, says selling agent Ger Carmody, include 5-amp wiring for sockets, alarm and >>>

The initial design plan was to mimic two traditional cottage shapes, one seeming to slide past the other, but it evolved a bit

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

9

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COVER STORY

COVER STORY

GETTHELOOK

Some great ideas for you to use in your home and where to get them 1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Make a splash: get a big impact in small spaces and commission a bespoke piece of glass

2 Tread lightly: try insetting carpet into hardwood steps for soft impact

3 Spinal tap: book spines and display shelving in a guest loo offer intrigue

4 Not so still life: a hanging seat like this one from Habitat is an eyecatcher

5 Off-standard: play with lights, this is a quirky double-take take on the standard lamp.

6 Let there be light: double height space and roof windows give a room a lift

SOURCEBOOK Architects: Fitzpatrick & Mays, 71 South Circular Road, Dublin 01-4539643 www.fitzpatrickmays.ie ..................................................................................................

Windows: Sorpetaler, Irish supplier, Andreas Bruggener, Muckross, Kerry 064-36633. www.sorpetaler.gr ..................................................................................................

Interior design: Síobhán Pettit (she’s also a jazz singer see www.siobhanpettit.com)

>>> CCTV, and heating is underfloor (oilfired) in the scene and scenery-stealing open plan wing. There’s a separate living room in the house’s bedroom wing, with large Sorpetaler sliding doors to the part-screened patios, ideal for view soaking.

The house has some external feature wall faced in local field stone for a softening

10

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

look, and there’s external lighting. While the house is very much a finished entity, the grounds will give new owners a chance to make a mark, as there’s little yet in the way of landscaping, with lots of gravel used as ground cover and the ground quickly slopes down and away from the house — making the views even more present.

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

Selling agent: Ger Carmody, Tralee 0667190699 ..................................................................................................

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

11

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Zone:XP1

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XP1 - V1

COVER STORY

COVER STORY

GETTHELOOK

Some great ideas for you to use in your home and where to get them 1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Make a splash: get a big impact in small spaces and commission a bespoke piece of glass

2 Tread lightly: try insetting carpet into hardwood steps for soft impact

3 Spinal tap: book spines and display shelving in a guest loo offer intrigue

4 Not so still life: a hanging seat like this one from Habitat is an eyecatcher

5 Off-standard: play with lights, this is a quirky double-take take on the standard lamp.

6 Let there be light: double height space and roof windows give a room a lift

SOURCEBOOK Architects: Fitzpatrick & Mays, 71 South Circular Road, Dublin 01-4539643 www.fitzpatrickmays.ie ..................................................................................................

Windows: Sorpetaler, Irish supplier, Andreas Bruggener, Muckross, Kerry 064-36633. www.sorpetaler.gr ..................................................................................................

Interior design: Síobhán Pettit (she’s also a jazz singer see www.siobhanpettit.com)

>>> CCTV, and heating is underfloor (oilfired) in the scene and scenery-stealing open plan wing. There’s a separate living room in the house’s bedroom wing, with large Sorpetaler sliding doors to the part-screened patios, ideal for view soaking.

The house has some external feature wall faced in local field stone for a softening

10

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

look, and there’s external lighting. While the house is very much a finished entity, the grounds will give new owners a chance to make a mark, as there’s little yet in the way of landscaping, with lots of gravel used as ground cover and the ground quickly slopes down and away from the house — making the views even more present.

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

Selling agent: Ger Carmody, Tralee 0667190699 ..................................................................................................

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

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INTERIORS

INTERIORS

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

PREPARETO PARTY

Party time

Get the look without breaking the bank

■ Sharp, easy-to-use knives are an absolute necessity in any kitchen, but especially at Christmas time when hosts and hostess are preparing large volumes of food. Innovate Danish design company Normann Copenhagen has come up with a novel chopping knife designed for herbs, garlic and chocolate. It comes in a handy cover to protect hands while it’s in use and for safe storage in the kitchen drawer. From www.normann-copenhagen.com and Lost Weekend €34 in a variety of colours.

Good organisation is key to preparing for and clearing up after entertaining at Christmas time. Carol O’Callaghan reports

E

NTERTAINING is great fun, even the preparations are exciting: it’s the clearing up afterwards that’s off-putting.

So whether you’re having guests for a sit-down Christmas dinner, a buffet on St Stephen’s Day, or a drinks and nibbles affair during Christmas week, good organisation is key to a smoothrunning event and to keep hostesses’ hair from standing on end with stress.

Decide on numbers to invite, first of all, selecting as many as you can cope with and no more.

Delve into your cupboards and cabinets and check your stocks of glasses, making sure you have sufficient for wine and soft drinks. Count plates, cups and saucers and cutlery, and apply a swift stroke or two of a hot iron to your best table cloth and napkins. You have all the necessities for your dining table, and can then spend an hour placing candles and ornaments and giving the table a theme of your choice.

If, however, you’re hosting a standaround buffet keep everything simple, providing a plate, glass and cutlery for each guest. Do try to avoid wrapping cutlery in paper napkins as your poor guests will have trouble trying to juggle plate and glass while unwrapping the little bundle. Instead, get yourself some baskets or bowls and place knives in one, forks in another and so on, finishing with a pile of folded paper napkins. This will allow your guests to choose what they need when they need it and not have to hold a spoon while eating their main course, especially if they decide to pass on the Christmas pudding and mince pies.

Do try to have a few occasional tables to set drinks down on, or clear the top of a sideboard on which you’ve placed a runner to avoid glass marks appearing on the surface later. Also feel free to scatter coasters liberally around the room for the same purpose. Most guests are conscious of not putting wet glasses on furniture, but there’s always one who, fuelled by an extra glass of Christmas cheer, won’t be so vigilant.

When the last guest leaves, it may just be you with kitchen chaos for company so here’s a tip: allocate one hour before bed to clearing and you’ll be amazed what you can achieve. This is how I get through it so it’s tried and tested. Clear everything from the table into the kitchen — that’s your dining room sorted. Put as much as you can into the dishwasher, if you have one, and then

12

Just a hint of a tint please Clear glasses are smashing, but a little tint that doesn’t mask the colour of the contents is a lovely option too.

A hint of a tint and some old world etching give this tumbler, wine and cocktail glass range a striking finish (from Debenhams approx €7.50 each).

Tumblers are perfect for soft drinks, mineral water and beer (Drizzle tumblers from Next Interiors €18 for four).

You know you’ll have breakages so stock up on plenty of cheap and cheerful plain glasses (€1.25 each at M&S).

For a homely look but a departure from the usual green, red and gold, check out the Naomi plum plate (€12.50) and the Valerie mug by Greengate (€9) from www.garrendennylane.ie.

Lovers of the minimalist look might like to opt for a white and silver theme for an uncluttered finish, and an alternative to traditional Christmas-style (Oslo crockery from €7, champagne flutes €10, placemats €13, napkin ring €4.75 from M&S).

Dress up your dining table Laying the Christmas dining table is an opportunity to get out all your best things and have fun creating a look.

If you can’t afford the stove, get the gravy boat instead

by Aga (€22.95 from Aga shops nationwide).

A beautiful dinner service is perfect for Christmas entertaining and can be collected by the hostess as birthday and Christmas presents, helping you with your gift-giving dilemma.

(Faustin dinner ware collection from Boulevard Interiors, pieces from €7).

get some black plastic bags. Spread these along your work surface nearest the sink and top with a layer of thick bath towels. You now have a makeshift extra-long draining board. Wash everything and place on the towels to dry off, so you don’t have to wait until

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

morning to empty and restack the dishwasher, and the dirty ware won’t be staring at you if you are feeling a tad delicate. All you’ll have to do in the morning is put everything back in their cupboards clean and dry. Finally, pour yourself a late night glass of wine, sit

A lovely fabric runner not only adds a new look to your table but also helps to protect its surface (red runner from Meadows & Byrne €32).

Serve a selection of after dinner cheeses in the festively red-footed dome available from Carrig Donn at€19.95.

down in front of the fire’s burning embers, take a deep breath and sigh with contentment. You deserve it.

■ Next week we’ll take the leg-work out of last minute shopping with a fabulous selection of last minute gifts for the home.

Stock up with wine glasses, tumblers and champagne flutes as you can never have enough at Christmas time (wine, champagne, cocktail and tumbler glasses approx. €8 each by Betty Jackson at Debenhams).

After a brisk and chilly Christmas-time walk in the woods with friends, invite them back for indulgent mince tart and mugs of hot chocolate (Stephen Pearce rustic range of pottery plates from €14.95 mugs from €16.95 at Blarney Woollen Mills).

Place some Christmas decorations along the middle of the table to give it height and additional texture (trees from Littlewoods Ireland (€20).

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

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INTERIORS

INTERIORS

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

PREPARETO PARTY

Party time

Get the look without breaking the bank

■ Sharp, easy-to-use knives are an absolute necessity in any kitchen, but especially at Christmas time when hosts and hostess are preparing large volumes of food. Innovate Danish design company Normann Copenhagen has come up with a novel chopping knife designed for herbs, garlic and chocolate. It comes in a handy cover to protect hands while it’s in use and for safe storage in the kitchen drawer. From www.normann-copenhagen.com and Lost Weekend €34 in a variety of colours.

Good organisation is key to preparing for and clearing up after entertaining at Christmas time. Carol O’Callaghan reports

E

NTERTAINING is great fun, even the preparations are exciting: it’s the clearing up afterwards that’s off-putting.

So whether you’re having guests for a sit-down Christmas dinner, a buffet on St Stephen’s Day, or a drinks and nibbles affair during Christmas week, good organisation is key to a smoothrunning event and to keep hostesses’ hair from standing on end with stress.

Decide on numbers to invite, first of all, selecting as many as you can cope with and no more.

Delve into your cupboards and cabinets and check your stocks of glasses, making sure you have sufficient for wine and soft drinks. Count plates, cups and saucers and cutlery, and apply a swift stroke or two of a hot iron to your best table cloth and napkins. You have all the necessities for your dining table, and can then spend an hour placing candles and ornaments and giving the table a theme of your choice.

If, however, you’re hosting a standaround buffet keep everything simple, providing a plate, glass and cutlery for each guest. Do try to avoid wrapping cutlery in paper napkins as your poor guests will have trouble trying to juggle plate and glass while unwrapping the little bundle. Instead, get yourself some baskets or bowls and place knives in one, forks in another and so on, finishing with a pile of folded paper napkins. This will allow your guests to choose what they need when they need it and not have to hold a spoon while eating their main course, especially if they decide to pass on the Christmas pudding and mince pies.

Do try to have a few occasional tables to set drinks down on, or clear the top of a sideboard on which you’ve placed a runner to avoid glass marks appearing on the surface later. Also feel free to scatter coasters liberally around the room for the same purpose. Most guests are conscious of not putting wet glasses on furniture, but there’s always one who, fuelled by an extra glass of Christmas cheer, won’t be so vigilant.

When the last guest leaves, it may just be you with kitchen chaos for company so here’s a tip: allocate one hour before bed to clearing and you’ll be amazed what you can achieve. This is how I get through it so it’s tried and tested. Clear everything from the table into the kitchen — that’s your dining room sorted. Put as much as you can into the dishwasher, if you have one, and then

12

Just a hint of a tint please Clear glasses are smashing, but a little tint that doesn’t mask the colour of the contents is a lovely option too.

A hint of a tint and some old world etching give this tumbler, wine and cocktail glass range a striking finish (from Debenhams approx €7.50 each).

Tumblers are perfect for soft drinks, mineral water and beer (Drizzle tumblers from Next Interiors €18 for four).

You know you’ll have breakages so stock up on plenty of cheap and cheerful plain glasses (€1.25 each at M&S).

For a homely look but a departure from the usual green, red and gold, check out the Naomi plum plate (€12.50) and the Valerie mug by Greengate (€9) from www.garrendennylane.ie.

Lovers of the minimalist look might like to opt for a white and silver theme for an uncluttered finish, and an alternative to traditional Christmas-style (Oslo crockery from €7, champagne flutes €10, placemats €13, napkin ring €4.75 from M&S).

Dress up your dining table Laying the Christmas dining table is an opportunity to get out all your best things and have fun creating a look.

If you can’t afford the stove, get the gravy boat instead

by Aga (€22.95 from Aga shops nationwide).

A beautiful dinner service is perfect for Christmas entertaining and can be collected by the hostess as birthday and Christmas presents, helping you with your gift-giving dilemma.

(Faustin dinner ware collection from Boulevard Interiors, pieces from €7).

get some black plastic bags. Spread these along your work surface nearest the sink and top with a layer of thick bath towels. You now have a makeshift extra-long draining board. Wash everything and place on the towels to dry off, so you don’t have to wait until

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

morning to empty and restack the dishwasher, and the dirty ware won’t be staring at you if you are feeling a tad delicate. All you’ll have to do in the morning is put everything back in their cupboards clean and dry. Finally, pour yourself a late night glass of wine, sit

A lovely fabric runner not only adds a new look to your table but also helps to protect its surface (red runner from Meadows & Byrne €32).

Serve a selection of after dinner cheeses in the festively red-footed dome available from Carrig Donn at€19.95.

down in front of the fire’s burning embers, take a deep breath and sigh with contentment. You deserve it.

■ Next week we’ll take the leg-work out of last minute shopping with a fabulous selection of last minute gifts for the home.

Stock up with wine glasses, tumblers and champagne flutes as you can never have enough at Christmas time (wine, champagne, cocktail and tumbler glasses approx. €8 each by Betty Jackson at Debenhams).

After a brisk and chilly Christmas-time walk in the woods with friends, invite them back for indulgent mince tart and mugs of hot chocolate (Stephen Pearce rustic range of pottery plates from €14.95 mugs from €16.95 at Blarney Woollen Mills).

Place some Christmas decorations along the middle of the table to give it height and additional texture (trees from Littlewoods Ireland (€20).

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

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DIY

DIY

DIY PERFECT GIFT FOR YOUR GADGET FRIEND

DIYTIPS

Christmas pots for spring tulips

What could be lovelier in the dark days of December than a gift that promises spring colour and there’s still time to plant up tulips. Make up some horticultural treasures of your own that include not only the pot, but the bulbs to flower out in the garden in following years. Tulip bulbs even planted upside-down will find their way up.

WHAT YOU NEED: ■ Nice firm, fat, tulip bulbs. One variety will ensure that your flowers come in together for a great display.

■ Generous attractive pot to complement the flower colour.

■ Potting compost. Avoid peat varieties which are unsustainable to source. General purpose compost mixed with horticultural grit will drain well.

Want to give someone a DIY kit as a gift for Christmas?

Kya deLongchamp provides some practical advice

G

IVING DIY tools and accessories as Christmas gifts might seem a bit of a lumpen, but small handy pieces of good household DIY kit offer fertile hunting grounds for practical, impressive looking gadgetry.

WATCH YOUR STEP The terms ‘useful’ and ‘practical’ could prove the sledge-hammer of death in a fragile romantic relationship. If you’re covertly gifting to the house rather than the individual (a favourite ploy of frugal husbands with a dangerously misplaced sense of humour) — start packing in November, it’s going to be a frosty New Year.

It’s worth pointing out that recent research by retailer Tesco UK, has discovered that 2 in 3 women shop for DIY goods in store. This is three times the figures of just 10 years ago. I prefer to confine my gifting in this area to amateur starters rather than the experienced make ‘n’ menders, unless tipped off by make and serial number.

Tools are collectors’ items when you’re deeply entrenched in DIY, and the wrong buy is likely to raise little more than contemptuous tense smile from the splinter-flecked veterans of the garage.

TOOL TIPS: ● Check what the person already has.

Multiples are just a waste of money. ● Match the size and weight of the piece to the person’s abilities and skill set. ● Always consider the strength and size of the person you’re buying for. ● Anything with a battery, or even running from the mains, takes some dexterity and physical wrangling. ● Keep the receipt. Times are just too tight to be touchy about returns.

POWERED UP Power tools might seem an unusual gift, but they are staple work-horses that new home owners will be thrilled to have on hand. Restrain yourself to modest, proven classics.

You can’t go wrong with a powered screwdriver with reverse action, variable torque and ‘spindle lock’ to allow it to be used without power.

They’re easy to use, suited to thousands of jobs and relatively inexpensive. If you’re gifting a cordless power tool, you’ll want something that runs and runs or the user will scream your name to the stars every time it stutters to flat.

14

Lithium ion technology gives a gentle fall off in power (up to 18 months), so that the tool will stay charged for long periods. Alternatively choose a tool package that includes a spare battery.

The lowest price quality lithium-iron screwdriver I could find was the Xtreme 3.6V at Argos, a steal with 9 bits at €26.99. Throw in another €13 and include a pivot action with a Black and Decker that’s a lovely compact size for even a lady’s hand. €39.99. Wall mounted chargers and carrying cases will kick the price up another €20-€30 but are extremely useful for regular DIY warriors storing and accessing their tools. Basically the greater the voltage the better the performance.

Other small power tools to consider include the ‘mouse’ sander — a diminutive genius that sits in the palm of the hand with dozens of uses and a pointy end to slip into awkward areas.

ROKs Palm Sander is just €16.99, 105W of power with free sheets to sweeten this cheap deal. Woodie’s DIY. Jig-saws offer precision finishes and to the millimetre cuts, ideal for anyone wanting to attempt small home projects, and a good starter tool for a competent teen. Ryobi relatively new players here in Ireland, but well respected by amateurs and pros alike, have a wide choice for every pocket with a variety of cut depths, wattage and speed, including a clever laser guided jigsaw (WLJC800) for €33. Woodie’s. If you want to invest more, pendulum action jig-saws allow for more cutting speed.

■ Few stones or shards of broken pot.

■ Hand tools.

■ Ribbon to finish or garden spike type decorations.

A jigsaw will be infinitely useful year round for cutting wood, metal and even plastic. This ROK model is laser-guided for added ease of use. €32.99. Woodie’s DIY. A serious contender, this 18V Li combi-drill features a drilling and hammering action, screw control and a lithium ion battery that won’t die overnight, but has a slow fall off of power, ideal for occasionally used tools. Two batteries are ideal with a quality tool like this. €106. Stockists nationwide including B&Q.

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

Put some shards of broken crockery or a hand-full of stones in the bottom of the pot to aid drainage.

Add your planting medium to within 3cm-5cm of the top edge.

Plant up your bulbs, three times their own depth (deeper than other bulb types) and around two bulb widths apart. Layer early, mid and later varieties.

Packing them closely in groups will give a sumptuous effect.

Push in a label to identify the bulbs, including care advice, reminding recipient to plant bulbs out in deep soil when they finish flowering.

Wrap a large generous bow around the pot or use some florist décor or garden ornaments on spikes from flowers to flapping butterflies.

Protect from frost with a light layer of bubble wrap and keep it moist until the gifting day.

Q&A

Do you have a DIY question you would like answered?

Send it to interiors@examiner.ie

Q. I have a dilemma with our Christmas tree as my children would like something very colourful and I long for an old fashioned unlit tree like my grandparents used to have.

HANDY There’s always the latest this or that in hammer, spanners and other hand tools, but quality and brand are essential.

Comfort of use is important too, and there are all sorts of small modifications that can make a tool a favourite. In hand tools, large diameter handles (rather stumpy to look at) give extra torque to the user and a soft grip keeps them from slipping in use. Men can become especially fascinated by collecting great tools, so see if there’s one key item they are hankering for.

Screw-driver sets are another homerun. Variety is key to attack every type of job, so look for a set that includes heads for pozidrive, philips, torx and slotted varieties of screw head in chrome-vanadium steel. That terrace of large or small in a boxed set will raise some pleasing gasps for a younger DIYer and standard drivers are useful for everyday jobs and precisions are

1 2 3 4 5 6

Projecting in horizontal and vertical modes, this Black & Decker BDL 120 is ideal for hanging shelves, pictures, rods and blinds. I found this example reduced to €23 on Amazon, but shop around for even keener prices and small pen-shaped devices from Bosch. www.amazon.co.uk.

Worth the price for the sturdy box, this 23-piece tool kit is a very friendly €37, and ideal for anyone detailing their starter home. B&Q.

ideal for fiddly turns, such as wiring plugs. A magnetised head will help the user to keep the screw in play and VDE/insulated models will give them some limited protection if they hit a live cable.

Expect to pay in the area of €30 for a screwdriver kit in a good brand such as JCB. If you can rally another €30, what about a dedicated home-tool kit such as the MacAllister 23-piece Home Tool Kit, complete with everything from hammers to levels, to pliers, hacksaw

lid, metal latches and a tote tray to carry small parts directly to the job (2000 Series). Woodie’s DIY carry the Tactix range of boxes, so cheap they would make great wrapping for other DIY tools and presents at just €10 for a 20” box. For granite-jawed toolers, the Contractors Box from Stanley can operate as a stool and workbench and wheels into position to take an armful of power tools. Very macho at €60 and even tested to 60km of high speed rumbling about.

and tape, making it ideal for a starter home? From B&Q. BOXES AND GADGETS If you think your recipient is already well supplied with equipment, an extra tool box is always welcome, and those that double as a sturdy low step are multi-functional diamonds. Stanley, kings in this field, make a superb range starting for as little as €17 for a good 16” box with 2 integrated trays in the

If there’s one thing no home should be without, it’s a laser level. Brilliant for hanging everything from shelving to wallpaper, you can also find this technology built into other cutting tools.

We fancy the Bosch PLL5 laser level with horizontal, vertical and digital levelling lines. It’s light and easy to attach with a magnetic plate for perfect adjustment, and boasts a bright 635nm laser diode for a particularly clearly visible laser line. €39, suppliers nationwide.

A. There is a growing trend where room allows to have two Christmas trees for one house. One can be staged in the family room or a playroom if you have one and decorated with your children’s ideas, while the other more formal tree can sit in an adult space.

Just ensure Santa visits both!

Q. I want to collect Christmas tree ornaments to gift onto my daughters each year as we decorate the tree.

Are there Irish brands I can follow?

A. White, silver and glass forms a gorgeous formal scheme and for the silver touch try Newbridge Silverware www.newbridgesilverware.com. Their

rotating filigree style pieces start at €5 and go up to €20 heirloom pieces.

Keep the boxes, perhaps noting the year they were bought. Belleek have some contemporary Heart Charms in their Living range of Parian ware in the €25 range. www.belleek.ie.

Q. I want a lovely centrepiece this year for the dining table on Christmas Day, but I’m limited to about €50. That table is about 8’ long.

A. Choose something you can enjoy all year long not just on the great day. We love the Reindeer Candle Holders from Dunne Stores, ideal for staging a low arrangement of cuttings from the garden and fresh fruit. Light up at the antlers with votives for dinner. Buy two (they are €25) and place them along the table centre facing outward for a stately table. Dunnes Stores nationwide.

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

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DIY

DIY

DIY PERFECT GIFT FOR YOUR GADGET FRIEND

DIYTIPS

Christmas pots for spring tulips

What could be lovelier in the dark days of December than a gift that promises spring colour and there’s still time to plant up tulips. Make up some horticultural treasures of your own that include not only the pot, but the bulbs to flower out in the garden in following years. Tulip bulbs even planted upside-down will find their way up.

WHAT YOU NEED: ■ Nice firm, fat, tulip bulbs. One variety will ensure that your flowers come in together for a great display.

■ Generous attractive pot to complement the flower colour.

■ Potting compost. Avoid peat varieties which are unsustainable to source. General purpose compost mixed with horticultural grit will drain well.

Want to give someone a DIY kit as a gift for Christmas?

Kya deLongchamp provides some practical advice

G

IVING DIY tools and accessories as Christmas gifts might seem a bit of a lumpen, but small handy pieces of good household DIY kit offer fertile hunting grounds for practical, impressive looking gadgetry.

WATCH YOUR STEP The terms ‘useful’ and ‘practical’ could prove the sledge-hammer of death in a fragile romantic relationship. If you’re covertly gifting to the house rather than the individual (a favourite ploy of frugal husbands with a dangerously misplaced sense of humour) — start packing in November, it’s going to be a frosty New Year.

It’s worth pointing out that recent research by retailer Tesco UK, has discovered that 2 in 3 women shop for DIY goods in store. This is three times the figures of just 10 years ago. I prefer to confine my gifting in this area to amateur starters rather than the experienced make ‘n’ menders, unless tipped off by make and serial number.

Tools are collectors’ items when you’re deeply entrenched in DIY, and the wrong buy is likely to raise little more than contemptuous tense smile from the splinter-flecked veterans of the garage.

TOOL TIPS: ● Check what the person already has.

Multiples are just a waste of money. ● Match the size and weight of the piece to the person’s abilities and skill set. ● Always consider the strength and size of the person you’re buying for. ● Anything with a battery, or even running from the mains, takes some dexterity and physical wrangling. ● Keep the receipt. Times are just too tight to be touchy about returns.

POWERED UP Power tools might seem an unusual gift, but they are staple work-horses that new home owners will be thrilled to have on hand. Restrain yourself to modest, proven classics.

You can’t go wrong with a powered screwdriver with reverse action, variable torque and ‘spindle lock’ to allow it to be used without power.

They’re easy to use, suited to thousands of jobs and relatively inexpensive. If you’re gifting a cordless power tool, you’ll want something that runs and runs or the user will scream your name to the stars every time it stutters to flat.

14

Lithium ion technology gives a gentle fall off in power (up to 18 months), so that the tool will stay charged for long periods. Alternatively choose a tool package that includes a spare battery.

The lowest price quality lithium-iron screwdriver I could find was the Xtreme 3.6V at Argos, a steal with 9 bits at €26.99. Throw in another €13 and include a pivot action with a Black and Decker that’s a lovely compact size for even a lady’s hand. €39.99. Wall mounted chargers and carrying cases will kick the price up another €20-€30 but are extremely useful for regular DIY warriors storing and accessing their tools. Basically the greater the voltage the better the performance.

Other small power tools to consider include the ‘mouse’ sander — a diminutive genius that sits in the palm of the hand with dozens of uses and a pointy end to slip into awkward areas.

ROKs Palm Sander is just €16.99, 105W of power with free sheets to sweeten this cheap deal. Woodie’s DIY. Jig-saws offer precision finishes and to the millimetre cuts, ideal for anyone wanting to attempt small home projects, and a good starter tool for a competent teen. Ryobi relatively new players here in Ireland, but well respected by amateurs and pros alike, have a wide choice for every pocket with a variety of cut depths, wattage and speed, including a clever laser guided jigsaw (WLJC800) for €33. Woodie’s. If you want to invest more, pendulum action jig-saws allow for more cutting speed.

■ Few stones or shards of broken pot.

■ Hand tools.

■ Ribbon to finish or garden spike type decorations.

A jigsaw will be infinitely useful year round for cutting wood, metal and even plastic. This ROK model is laser-guided for added ease of use. €32.99. Woodie’s DIY. A serious contender, this 18V Li combi-drill features a drilling and hammering action, screw control and a lithium ion battery that won’t die overnight, but has a slow fall off of power, ideal for occasionally used tools. Two batteries are ideal with a quality tool like this. €106. Stockists nationwide including B&Q.

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

Put some shards of broken crockery or a hand-full of stones in the bottom of the pot to aid drainage.

Add your planting medium to within 3cm-5cm of the top edge.

Plant up your bulbs, three times their own depth (deeper than other bulb types) and around two bulb widths apart. Layer early, mid and later varieties.

Packing them closely in groups will give a sumptuous effect.

Push in a label to identify the bulbs, including care advice, reminding recipient to plant bulbs out in deep soil when they finish flowering.

Wrap a large generous bow around the pot or use some florist décor or garden ornaments on spikes from flowers to flapping butterflies.

Protect from frost with a light layer of bubble wrap and keep it moist until the gifting day.

Q&A

Do you have a DIY question you would like answered?

Send it to interiors@examiner.ie

Q. I have a dilemma with our Christmas tree as my children would like something very colourful and I long for an old fashioned unlit tree like my grandparents used to have.

HANDY There’s always the latest this or that in hammer, spanners and other hand tools, but quality and brand are essential.

Comfort of use is important too, and there are all sorts of small modifications that can make a tool a favourite. In hand tools, large diameter handles (rather stumpy to look at) give extra torque to the user and a soft grip keeps them from slipping in use. Men can become especially fascinated by collecting great tools, so see if there’s one key item they are hankering for.

Screw-driver sets are another homerun. Variety is key to attack every type of job, so look for a set that includes heads for pozidrive, philips, torx and slotted varieties of screw head in chrome-vanadium steel. That terrace of large or small in a boxed set will raise some pleasing gasps for a younger DIYer and standard drivers are useful for everyday jobs and precisions are

1 2 3 4 5 6

Projecting in horizontal and vertical modes, this Black & Decker BDL 120 is ideal for hanging shelves, pictures, rods and blinds. I found this example reduced to €23 on Amazon, but shop around for even keener prices and small pen-shaped devices from Bosch. www.amazon.co.uk.

Worth the price for the sturdy box, this 23-piece tool kit is a very friendly €37, and ideal for anyone detailing their starter home. B&Q.

ideal for fiddly turns, such as wiring plugs. A magnetised head will help the user to keep the screw in play and VDE/insulated models will give them some limited protection if they hit a live cable.

Expect to pay in the area of €30 for a screwdriver kit in a good brand such as JCB. If you can rally another €30, what about a dedicated home-tool kit such as the MacAllister 23-piece Home Tool Kit, complete with everything from hammers to levels, to pliers, hacksaw

lid, metal latches and a tote tray to carry small parts directly to the job (2000 Series). Woodie’s DIY carry the Tactix range of boxes, so cheap they would make great wrapping for other DIY tools and presents at just €10 for a 20” box. For granite-jawed toolers, the Contractors Box from Stanley can operate as a stool and workbench and wheels into position to take an armful of power tools. Very macho at €60 and even tested to 60km of high speed rumbling about.

and tape, making it ideal for a starter home? From B&Q. BOXES AND GADGETS If you think your recipient is already well supplied with equipment, an extra tool box is always welcome, and those that double as a sturdy low step are multi-functional diamonds. Stanley, kings in this field, make a superb range starting for as little as €17 for a good 16” box with 2 integrated trays in the

If there’s one thing no home should be without, it’s a laser level. Brilliant for hanging everything from shelving to wallpaper, you can also find this technology built into other cutting tools.

We fancy the Bosch PLL5 laser level with horizontal, vertical and digital levelling lines. It’s light and easy to attach with a magnetic plate for perfect adjustment, and boasts a bright 635nm laser diode for a particularly clearly visible laser line. €39, suppliers nationwide.

A. There is a growing trend where room allows to have two Christmas trees for one house. One can be staged in the family room or a playroom if you have one and decorated with your children’s ideas, while the other more formal tree can sit in an adult space.

Just ensure Santa visits both!

Q. I want to collect Christmas tree ornaments to gift onto my daughters each year as we decorate the tree.

Are there Irish brands I can follow?

A. White, silver and glass forms a gorgeous formal scheme and for the silver touch try Newbridge Silverware www.newbridgesilverware.com. Their

rotating filigree style pieces start at €5 and go up to €20 heirloom pieces.

Keep the boxes, perhaps noting the year they were bought. Belleek have some contemporary Heart Charms in their Living range of Parian ware in the €25 range. www.belleek.ie.

Q. I want a lovely centrepiece this year for the dining table on Christmas Day, but I’m limited to about €50. That table is about 8’ long.

A. Choose something you can enjoy all year long not just on the great day. We love the Reindeer Candle Holders from Dunne Stores, ideal for staging a low arrangement of cuttings from the garden and fresh fruit. Light up at the antlers with votives for dinner. Buy two (they are €25) and place them along the table centre facing outward for a stately table. Dunnes Stores nationwide.

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

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WISHLIST

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WISH LIST

Fancy a few treats to help you through Christmas?

Carol O’Callaghan has been shopping for a selection to help you entertain through the party season.

Avoid scented candles on the dining table as they’ll interfere with the aroma of your cooking. Light them afterwards to dispel the lingering odours of Brussell sprouts (French Linen Water candle by Max Benjamin at Kilkenny €39).

Display handy festive red paper napkins in the Snowflake dispenser for easy access by your guests (from Meadows & Byrne €10.95).

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A runner can add softness and texture to a wooden table and liven up a white tablecloth and napkins. Try a burnished gold shade which can be used all year round and not just for Christmas (runner from Meadows & Byrne €32).

Rustle up a batch of gingerbread snowmen and top with a star with a delightful tin of cookie cutters (from Aga €22).

You can never have enough work surface, especially at Christmas. Try a portable butchers block which can be moved into position as and when it’s required (Fenchurch block from M&S approx. €600).

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�������������� This lovely wooden Christmas holly wreath will add festive cheer to any inside door. It could also be used as the base of a table centre piece. Priced at €10.50 from www.thehomebarn.ie

16

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

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INTERIORS

HOME ECONOMICS

ASK THE

DESIGNER

Q

We’re choosing our Christmas tree, but can’t decide whether to go for real or fake. What do you think?

A. Nothing beats the smell of a real Christmas tree and the annual family trip to pick one out. But these days consumers have more concerns about chopping a tree to make their home feel festive. Some people are also allergic to the real thing and shedding needles can cause a mess. Although faux trees are certainly more convenient and can be stored in the attic for use year-after-year, they’re often imported and non-recyclable. Real trees, on the other hand, are a renewable resource grown here at home. If you plump for plastic, a Christmas tree-scented candle and log fire should replicate that all-important smell. Personally though, I prefer a real tree.

Q. My husband and I are having both our families around for dinner on Christmas Day and have run out of storage for all the food and drink in the fridge. Any temporary solutions?

A. Catering for the whole family over Christmas can be quite a headache, but unless you want your mother-in-law complaining of food poisoning afterwards, think safety first! Even if the fridge is crammed, never leave food that should be refrigerated, such as meat, out at room temperature. Instead, save room in the fridge by storing items like non-perishable condiments, root vegetables such as carrots and uncut fruit with a thick skin like melon in a cool, dark place. Likewise, store drinks

1

A fusion of notice boards, cookery products, chef’s clothing and electrical appliances all come under one roof at Brennan’s Cook Shop site.

It has gone all Christmassy this month, and is bedecked with all things yuletide. Fear not, though, its regular section is also full of delights to make any home into a chef’s paradise. Knives, pots and pans and funky kitchenware are among its products. Renowned for its supplies for the baker’s needs, its sugar-craft section is sure to satisfy all the sweet tooth foodies out there.

■ www.cookshop.ie/shop

18

Interior designer Marion Ormond of Ken Jackson Interiors, Marina Commercial Park, Centre Park Road, Cork City, www.kenjacksoninteriors.com, answers your questions Email: interiors@examiner.ie

A. Christmas is a time for cosying up indoors, but with these energy-efficient tips, you don’t have to end up paying for it until next Christmas. Switch to LED Christmas lights which use up to 90% less electricity than regular ones. Opt for fibre optic decorations, which generally use a single bulb to light the whole display. Alternatively, decorate with candles which are cheaper and just as Christmassy. Use a timer for your Christmas tree lights — setting them to come on at dusk and go off when you go to bed. And when the tree is lit, turn off the other lights in the room. Turn down the heating when you’ve got guests, as there’s more body heat in the house.

Finally, if possible, don’t buy presents that use electricity or batteries.

Q. We always have Christmas crackers, but as we have to tighten our belts this year can you tell me how to make some instead?

A. Sure — you’ll need some cracker snaps (available from most craft stores), Christmas wrapping paper, cardboard and kitchen and toilet paper rolls. Cut the wrapping paper into squares the

1

2 3 Above: Springfield Pine 7ft Artificial Tree, €139, available from www.irishchristmastrees.com. Christmas tree decorations from €1.49, available from Dealz nationwide. Below: Homemade Christmas Crackers.

length and width of cracker snap. Cut kitchen roll in half and push into either end of a toilet paper roll. Roll and affix the Christmas paper around it, remembering not to glue the ends so you can gently remove kitchen roll. Cut a piece of cardboard the same length as cracker and 1.5” wide, roll and glue in place inside each end of the cracker.

Finally put the snap inside the cracker, tie one end with ribbon, fill with goodies like chocolates, flower seeds, paper hat and joke and secure the second cracker end.

Every week Sue O’Connor picks her top three interiors sites. If you have a favourite you’d like to see featured, email: interiors@examiner.ie

The Blue Door

3

Sit back, relax and enjoy your journey through the new website of this established store. This gives a taste of what is in their showrooms.

Sleek images accompany each section, which give you just enough information without bamboozling you with excess details. All furniture needs are taken care of. Each kitchen designer is streamlined into its own section. Its sleep centre has questions to help you decide when it is time to buy a new bed. And, its living section has a vast array of chairs, suites and couches to choose from.

■ www.thebluedoordirect.ie

■ www.newfurniturecentre.com

4 5 6 7 8

New Furniture Centre

If you are short of time, but want to pick up a gift for someone without whiling the hours away online, this site might be for you. It has a gift-suggestion section parcelled into price brackets. Great if you are on a budget e.g. under €50, between €50 and €100, etc. Bags, clocks, throws, candles and even bird baths feature on these pages. The store specialises in soft furnishings for the home, so it can help if you are looking for a one-off piece or something to complement what you have in your home already.

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

Christmas light safety Do’s

Q. Between the Christmas tree lights, cooking the turkey and electric fire, I’m concerned about our New Year energy bill, but don’t want to be a Scrooge either. Do you have any energy-saving tips for Christmas?

2

HOME ECONOMICS

Kya deLongchamps gives tips for your festive lights in her series on keeping your home safe for the winter

in a cold shed or even a kids’ paddling pool filled with ice, as it won’t leak. If you regularly host large groups, it might be worth investing in a second fridge to keep in your shed — you’ll find some currently on sale at Currys.

WEB WATCH Brennan’s

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Don’ts 1

Choose LED lighting indoors and outdoors when you buy or replace your lights. Not only will they save you 90% of the energy of old style incandescent filaments and last up to 50,000 hours, but as low voltage (12-24V), are less prone to overheating.

Give your lights a condition check when you retrieve them from their tangled nest. Look for any fraying, kinks in the wiring, cracked bulbs or bare wiring. If in doubt, throw them out.

2

Replace blown bulbs immediately.

Don’t change the bulbs when the set is turned on, you could be lighting up more than the tree.

Use bulbs of the same type and rating.

3

Site outdoor and indoor strings and power cables where pets cannot chew or become entangled in them and obviously avoid high traffic areas. A yanked set of lights can fell a heavy Christmas tree.

4

Connect outside lighting through a residual current device (30mA RCD protected socket) to ward off the potential of electrocution.

5 6

Look for the extra low voltage symbol which is ‘III inside a diamond’. These light sets are especially safe and reduce the chance of electrocution.

Filament lights can be either, whereas LEDs are always low voltage.

7

Buy lights from a reputable source. Some cheaply made lighting from the Far East have been proven to have thin wiring and inadequate safety ratings.

Use cables intended for outdoor use and where external power points are likely to get wet, ensure they are angled downward.

Never use outdoor lighting indoors. A small house symbol with an arrow pointing outward or inward indicates the lights’ intended use. An Ingress Protection Rating (IP) will run from rain proof to watertight and is shown in a water drop symbol.

IPX3 is the minimum standard to look for.

Install proper watertight connectors for all outdoor lighting and protect your lights against wind damage with well considered positions.

Never attempt to join two sets of lights together or put two sets of lights on the same plug. Safe, modern lighting up to CE standard are cheap and widely available.

Don’t run cables to lights underneath rugs and carpet. The pressure of footfall may be enough to break or fray the lines and there’s a danger of overheating.

Never overload sockets and avoid using extension leads and adaptors.

Don’t let children play with Christmas lights. LEDs are in plastic housing making them safer around pets and kids than glass incandescent.

Don’t leave your lights on night and day. A simple timer will kick them on when it’s dark enough to enjoy them and unlit decorations can flash by day.

Left: Safe, energy saving LED strings are widely available, so if in doubt throw those old, failing lights out. LED string lighting from B&Q €22.

Keep your pets safe during the holiday season

C The Akita dining range, which is crafted from American black walnut veneers, available from New Furniture Centre.

HRISTMAS is an exciting time for animals and with the coming and going of visitors, they may well act out of character in this disruptive environment. Pine needles from your live tree, wreaths and garlands are extremely poisonous to animals, and can puncture the intestines if ingested. The water under the tree will not only carry natural toxics, but may harbour bacteria and fertilisers, net it off if possible. When you buy the tree, strike the stump on the ground. If it’s freshly cut, the needles will stay on the tree and the trunk will still be sticky with resin.

Holly, mistletoe, poinsettias and lilies are unfamiliar plants brought in for the season and can be lethal for animals, so be wary of new puppies, teething and curious enough to have a go. Hook up live wires, tinsel and ornaments covered in artificial snow (a particularly nasty chemical cocktail). Young cats, looking for trouble will be completely fascinated by the new habitat created by a tree and trailing decorations, real or artificial. Secure the tree both at the base and with a simple hook and string half way up the trunk, securing it to the wall.

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

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INTERIORS

HOME ECONOMICS

ASK THE

DESIGNER

Q

We’re choosing our Christmas tree, but can’t decide whether to go for real or fake. What do you think?

A. Nothing beats the smell of a real Christmas tree and the annual family trip to pick one out. But these days consumers have more concerns about chopping a tree to make their home feel festive. Some people are also allergic to the real thing and shedding needles can cause a mess. Although faux trees are certainly more convenient and can be stored in the attic for use year-after-year, they’re often imported and non-recyclable. Real trees, on the other hand, are a renewable resource grown here at home. If you plump for plastic, a Christmas tree-scented candle and log fire should replicate that all-important smell. Personally though, I prefer a real tree.

Q. My husband and I are having both our families around for dinner on Christmas Day and have run out of storage for all the food and drink in the fridge. Any temporary solutions?

A. Catering for the whole family over Christmas can be quite a headache, but unless you want your mother-in-law complaining of food poisoning afterwards, think safety first! Even if the fridge is crammed, never leave food that should be refrigerated, such as meat, out at room temperature. Instead, save room in the fridge by storing items like non-perishable condiments, root vegetables such as carrots and uncut fruit with a thick skin like melon in a cool, dark place. Likewise, store drinks

1

A fusion of notice boards, cookery products, chef’s clothing and electrical appliances all come under one roof at Brennan’s Cook Shop site.

It has gone all Christmassy this month, and is bedecked with all things yuletide. Fear not, though, its regular section is also full of delights to make any home into a chef’s paradise. Knives, pots and pans and funky kitchenware are among its products. Renowned for its supplies for the baker’s needs, its sugar-craft section is sure to satisfy all the sweet tooth foodies out there.

■ www.cookshop.ie/shop

18

Interior designer Marion Ormond of Ken Jackson Interiors, Marina Commercial Park, Centre Park Road, Cork City, www.kenjacksoninteriors.com, answers your questions Email: interiors@examiner.ie

A. Christmas is a time for cosying up indoors, but with these energy-efficient tips, you don’t have to end up paying for it until next Christmas. Switch to LED Christmas lights which use up to 90% less electricity than regular ones. Opt for fibre optic decorations, which generally use a single bulb to light the whole display. Alternatively, decorate with candles which are cheaper and just as Christmassy. Use a timer for your Christmas tree lights — setting them to come on at dusk and go off when you go to bed. And when the tree is lit, turn off the other lights in the room. Turn down the heating when you’ve got guests, as there’s more body heat in the house.

Finally, if possible, don’t buy presents that use electricity or batteries.

Q. We always have Christmas crackers, but as we have to tighten our belts this year can you tell me how to make some instead?

A. Sure — you’ll need some cracker snaps (available from most craft stores), Christmas wrapping paper, cardboard and kitchen and toilet paper rolls. Cut the wrapping paper into squares the

1

2 3 Above: Springfield Pine 7ft Artificial Tree, €139, available from www.irishchristmastrees.com. Christmas tree decorations from €1.49, available from Dealz nationwide. Below: Homemade Christmas Crackers.

length and width of cracker snap. Cut kitchen roll in half and push into either end of a toilet paper roll. Roll and affix the Christmas paper around it, remembering not to glue the ends so you can gently remove kitchen roll. Cut a piece of cardboard the same length as cracker and 1.5” wide, roll and glue in place inside each end of the cracker.

Finally put the snap inside the cracker, tie one end with ribbon, fill with goodies like chocolates, flower seeds, paper hat and joke and secure the second cracker end.

Every week Sue O’Connor picks her top three interiors sites. If you have a favourite you’d like to see featured, email: interiors@examiner.ie

The Blue Door

3

Sit back, relax and enjoy your journey through the new website of this established store. This gives a taste of what is in their showrooms.

Sleek images accompany each section, which give you just enough information without bamboozling you with excess details. All furniture needs are taken care of. Each kitchen designer is streamlined into its own section. Its sleep centre has questions to help you decide when it is time to buy a new bed. And, its living section has a vast array of chairs, suites and couches to choose from.

■ www.thebluedoordirect.ie

■ www.newfurniturecentre.com

4 5 6 7 8

New Furniture Centre

If you are short of time, but want to pick up a gift for someone without whiling the hours away online, this site might be for you. It has a gift-suggestion section parcelled into price brackets. Great if you are on a budget e.g. under €50, between €50 and €100, etc. Bags, clocks, throws, candles and even bird baths feature on these pages. The store specialises in soft furnishings for the home, so it can help if you are looking for a one-off piece or something to complement what you have in your home already.

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

Christmas light safety Do’s

Q. Between the Christmas tree lights, cooking the turkey and electric fire, I’m concerned about our New Year energy bill, but don’t want to be a Scrooge either. Do you have any energy-saving tips for Christmas?

2

HOME ECONOMICS

Kya deLongchamps gives tips for your festive lights in her series on keeping your home safe for the winter

in a cold shed or even a kids’ paddling pool filled with ice, as it won’t leak. If you regularly host large groups, it might be worth investing in a second fridge to keep in your shed — you’ll find some currently on sale at Currys.

WEB WATCH Brennan’s

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Don’ts 1

Choose LED lighting indoors and outdoors when you buy or replace your lights. Not only will they save you 90% of the energy of old style incandescent filaments and last up to 50,000 hours, but as low voltage (12-24V), are less prone to overheating.

Give your lights a condition check when you retrieve them from their tangled nest. Look for any fraying, kinks in the wiring, cracked bulbs or bare wiring. If in doubt, throw them out.

2

Replace blown bulbs immediately.

Don’t change the bulbs when the set is turned on, you could be lighting up more than the tree.

Use bulbs of the same type and rating.

3

Site outdoor and indoor strings and power cables where pets cannot chew or become entangled in them and obviously avoid high traffic areas. A yanked set of lights can fell a heavy Christmas tree.

4

Connect outside lighting through a residual current device (30mA RCD protected socket) to ward off the potential of electrocution.

5 6

Look for the extra low voltage symbol which is ‘III inside a diamond’. These light sets are especially safe and reduce the chance of electrocution.

Filament lights can be either, whereas LEDs are always low voltage.

7

Buy lights from a reputable source. Some cheaply made lighting from the Far East have been proven to have thin wiring and inadequate safety ratings.

Use cables intended for outdoor use and where external power points are likely to get wet, ensure they are angled downward.

Never use outdoor lighting indoors. A small house symbol with an arrow pointing outward or inward indicates the lights’ intended use. An Ingress Protection Rating (IP) will run from rain proof to watertight and is shown in a water drop symbol.

IPX3 is the minimum standard to look for.

Install proper watertight connectors for all outdoor lighting and protect your lights against wind damage with well considered positions.

Never attempt to join two sets of lights together or put two sets of lights on the same plug. Safe, modern lighting up to CE standard are cheap and widely available.

Don’t run cables to lights underneath rugs and carpet. The pressure of footfall may be enough to break or fray the lines and there’s a danger of overheating.

Never overload sockets and avoid using extension leads and adaptors.

Don’t let children play with Christmas lights. LEDs are in plastic housing making them safer around pets and kids than glass incandescent.

Don’t leave your lights on night and day. A simple timer will kick them on when it’s dark enough to enjoy them and unlit decorations can flash by day.

Left: Safe, energy saving LED strings are widely available, so if in doubt throw those old, failing lights out. LED string lighting from B&Q €22.

Keep your pets safe during the holiday season

C The Akita dining range, which is crafted from American black walnut veneers, available from New Furniture Centre.

HRISTMAS is an exciting time for animals and with the coming and going of visitors, they may well act out of character in this disruptive environment. Pine needles from your live tree, wreaths and garlands are extremely poisonous to animals, and can puncture the intestines if ingested. The water under the tree will not only carry natural toxics, but may harbour bacteria and fertilisers, net it off if possible. When you buy the tree, strike the stump on the ground. If it’s freshly cut, the needles will stay on the tree and the trunk will still be sticky with resin.

Holly, mistletoe, poinsettias and lilies are unfamiliar plants brought in for the season and can be lethal for animals, so be wary of new puppies, teething and curious enough to have a go. Hook up live wires, tinsel and ornaments covered in artificial snow (a particularly nasty chemical cocktail). Young cats, looking for trouble will be completely fascinated by the new habitat created by a tree and trailing decorations, real or artificial. Secure the tree both at the base and with a simple hook and string half way up the trunk, securing it to the wall.

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

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IN THE GARDEN

Prepare for icy winter The callicarpa was one plant to survive last December’s freezing weather. Charlie Wilkins explains how you can avoid getting caught out by buying everything from snow shovels to de-icing salt and even books as Christmas presents

I

T comes as no surprise to read that December last year will be remembered as the coldest month since temperature data was first collected in Ireland 130 years ago. In Co Mayo, for example, a temperature of -17.2ºC was recorded on December 20, and with 2011 temperatures now falling it might be timely for the gardener to prepare for what could yet be a repeat of the cold and ice! However, a plant which fared exceedingly well during all the cold and snow (one which would make an ideal Christmas gift) is the Callicarpa.

CALLICARPA The berries of this remarkable shrub (correctly known as drupes) develop from clusters of inconspicuous lilac flowers in June and by October will have developed their remarkable pale violet colour and glossy sheen (see illustration).

Through winter, nakedly exposed on leafless branches, the striking display offers little to passing gourmet birds who spurn the astringent, bitter berries in favour of sweeter morsels elsewhere. Good plants of this are available at Dunsland Garden Centre, Cork.

SNOWFLEX EMERGENCY SNOW SHOVEL Getting stuck in the snow this year should be more fun and far less frantic, so the tool to have at the ready is the illustrated Portable Snoflex Emergency Snow Shovel (illustrated and priced at €17.99 from Topline Stores). No car, home or garage should be without this handy shovel, for not only does it work in three ways (and comes with a free tire traction aid) but it is also an excellent tool for getting your car out of the driveway or building the perfect snowman!

SNOW GRIPS are the latest for icy weather. An absolute necessity in slippery conditions, Snow Grips (illustrated and priced at around €11) can be slipped over your shoes and accidental falls will be a thing of the past. These snow grips are a must for all the family, whether it’s for the walk, to school or work, getting supplies from your local shop

20

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

DE–ICING SALT They say good things come in small packages, so a tub of White De–Icing Salt (illustrated and priced at €4.99 for 3kg) might save your life just by sprinkling it over the driveway, patio or path! After Ireland ran out of salt early into the heavy snow last year, Topline Stores arranged for ample stocks and now, a salt supply in handy portable tubs is available for your added convenience.

BIRD FEEDERS While you must look after yourself and your family this winter, it’s also important to keep an eye on our feathered friends!

What better way than with a high, free-standing feeding station that comes with two free feeders; one for water and another for seeds and feed. These are available at Greenbarn, Killeagh, Co Cork, along with some very ornamental pots and containers.

FELCRO SECATEURS will always go down well as a Christmas present.

These are the Rolls Royce of secateurs! They can be resharpened as often as necessary and come fully guaranteed in all parts. I use two sets but still mourn a pair I lost five years ago and would always be pleased to unwrap another.

Expensive, yes, but no other secateurs can compete with the standard of workmanship, finish and efficiency.

As with trowels, secateurs should be available without searching the tool shed from top to bottom, which means having at least one hanging within sight and another by the back door. I keep a cheaper pair in the glove compartment of the car for when friends ask me to prune something in their garden, because other peoples’ secateurs are more than likely to be the equivalent of two butter knives held together with paper clips.

WILDFLOWERS OF IRELAND Books make the best presents of all. For the last few years I have had a policy of supporting my own printing industry by giving good gardening books to people with an interest in this great hobby.

From the Collins Press comes a marvellous tome on Wildflowers of Ireland by Zoe Devlin.

Zoe’s personal record of the wildflowers that

adorn Ireland’s countryside is presented so those without botanical knowledge can gain a greater understanding of the hedgerows and way-side. A great book for lovers of wild flowers and I recommend it to all.

TEAPOT NEST Robins prefer open nesting sites and often utilise man-made objects like open kettles and traditional teapots. This attractive Ceramic Teapot Nester from Mr Middleton in Dublin can be secured with wire or a screw.

Spout provides drainage. In use the nester will be lined with grass moss and leaves. Priced at €21.95.

slim, light, durable and priced at €14.99. No one should miss out on getting this fun filled product that is guaranteed to turn the slushy snow into a great pastime for all the family!

CHILDRENS SLEIGH After the first few days of snow last year there wasn’t a sleigh to be had in the country! In advance of more snow this winter, Topline have stocked up with a plastic sleigh of decent proportions which is

GARDENING TOOLS make excellent presents.

But they have to be the right kind. Big things like forks and spades are best chosen by the eventual user as only they can know what balances well in their hands. The exception is a good bulb planter of the long handed type. It is evident from the number of people who borrow mine that more of these are needed in circulation. As for small tools, one can’t have enough decent trowels of the kind with strong steel blades and wooden handles. Trowels with long thin blades are particularly useful for weeding in crowded conditions and there are many to choose from. However, whenever possible look for trowels made of stainless steel which are best for use in wet, sticky soil conditions.

Had I my time all over again, my entire garden tool collection would be those made of stainless steel! Try Dunsland Garden Centre for Wolf garden tools and a wide range of other very suitable presents.

WATER FEATURE If you are looking for a conversation point for your garden this four jug water feature with lights might provide the focal point. All that is required is an electric

socket.

Available from Griffin’s Garden Centre, Dripsey for €329.

RED BERRY TREE A miniature tree with a display of red berries can be displayed indoors and brighten up your home at Christmas. It’s child friendly and maintenance free. Berries remain attached until late January, making it the ideal Christmas indoor plant. Plant outdoors after Christmas — in the garden or in a patio pot and beautiful flowers will appear in spring and you can expect more gorgeous berries next autumn/ winter.

What’s really handy about this new tree is that it remains miniature — less than 3ft (1m) high. It can be got for €29.99 at Griffins Garden Centre Dripsey, Co Cork.

WELLINGTONS An ideal Xmas treat for any gardener or farmer’s feet, these Bekina Steplite X wellington boots are famed for their widefitting comfort and ability to keep feet warm in winter. Long lasting Steplite X boots are, as their name suggests, 40%, lighter than traditional wellies.

Available from farm suppliers nationwide, contact Agrihealth on LoCall 1890-200999 for details.

AUTOPOTS Manufactured in Cork, these one, two or three-tiered wheel rims are produced from old wheel rims welded and beautiful finished in a black gloss. They are totally rust and frost proof.

The price range starts at €45 for one tier, €60 for two-tier and €80 for three-tier available at Griffin’s Garden Centre.

GARDENNOTES

■ The Frank Lewis Gallery Killarney celebrates 25 years with an exhibition featuring botanical artist Susan Sex (among others). The exhibition is open to December 24, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.

■ A day out enjoying snowdrops and other spring treasures takes place at Altmont Gardens, Co Carlow, on Saturday, February 4, at 9.30am.

Lunch, lectures, admission to bulb sale and tour is included in €50 entry fee (before December 20).

Contact Hester at 086-8654972.

■ I can recommend The Irish Country House Garden Diary and Journal to gardeners everywhere. The illustrated journal costs €10 from www.cfireland.com or Breda O’Kelly Lisamote, Adare, Co Limerick.

■ Coachford Flower and Garden Club hold a social and work night on Wednesday at 8pm in the Village Inn and all are welcome.

■ A one-day workshop on decorating your home with traditional floral creations takes place at Templebreedy Grounds Experience, The Old Rectory, Crosshaven on dates up to December 23.

Maximum 6 persons per workshop.

Materials and lunch provided.

Contact 086 2888776 for details or visit TGECrosshaven@gmail.com ■ Sunday’s Well Flower and Garden Club confined Christmas Work Night is on Wednesday next at 8pm in St Vincent’s Parish Centre.

■ Clonakilty Flower Club hold a charity gala demonstration by Theresa Collins on Monday at 8pm in Fernhill House Hotel. Tickets €15 includes supper. Supporting WAFA, and Irish Wheelchair Association (Local Branch). All welcome.

■ Bandon Flower Club’s Christmas demonstration by Chris Bailey is in The Munster Arms Hotel, Bandon on Monday next at 8 pm.

■ Kanturk Flower Club meet on Wednesday in the Trade Union Hall at 8pm.

■ Wear a party hat and enjoy Christmas quiz, mince pies, etc., at Cork Flower Club in the Canon Packham Hall Douglas, on Tuesday at 8pm.

■ Conna and District Flower and Garden Club Christmas party and work night is on Wednesday at 8pm in the Community Hall.

■ Lough Flower and Garden Club’s confined party and work night is on Tuesday at 8pm in the SMA Hall Wilton.

■ Griffins creative team will inspire you with a workshop on Christmas tree dressing, mantle-piece swag, garlands, wreaths and more at noon this Monday, December 12, Wednesday 14 and Friday 16.

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■ A series of Christmas Flower Workshops takes place at the Wild Floral Academy, Unit O9, Marina Commercial Park; Centre Park Road, Cork. See www.wild.ie for details.

■ Carlow Tourism will transform Duckett’s Grove Historic House into a winter wonderland when it hosts its annual Christmas Fair tomorrow from noon to 6pm.

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IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

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TERAPROOF:User:sueoconnorDate:08/12/2011Time:13:50:46Edition:10/12/2011PropertyXP1012Page:20

Zone:XP1

XP1 - V2

XP1 - V2

IN THE GARDEN

Prepare for icy winter The callicarpa was one plant to survive last December’s freezing weather. Charlie Wilkins explains how you can avoid getting caught out by buying everything from snow shovels to de-icing salt and even books as Christmas presents

I

T comes as no surprise to read that December last year will be remembered as the coldest month since temperature data was first collected in Ireland 130 years ago. In Co Mayo, for example, a temperature of -17.2ºC was recorded on December 20, and with 2011 temperatures now falling it might be timely for the gardener to prepare for what could yet be a repeat of the cold and ice! However, a plant which fared exceedingly well during all the cold and snow (one which would make an ideal Christmas gift) is the Callicarpa.

CALLICARPA The berries of this remarkable shrub (correctly known as drupes) develop from clusters of inconspicuous lilac flowers in June and by October will have developed their remarkable pale violet colour and glossy sheen (see illustration).

Through winter, nakedly exposed on leafless branches, the striking display offers little to passing gourmet birds who spurn the astringent, bitter berries in favour of sweeter morsels elsewhere. Good plants of this are available at Dunsland Garden Centre, Cork.

SNOWFLEX EMERGENCY SNOW SHOVEL Getting stuck in the snow this year should be more fun and far less frantic, so the tool to have at the ready is the illustrated Portable Snoflex Emergency Snow Shovel (illustrated and priced at €17.99 from Topline Stores). No car, home or garage should be without this handy shovel, for not only does it work in three ways (and comes with a free tire traction aid) but it is also an excellent tool for getting your car out of the driveway or building the perfect snowman!

SNOW GRIPS are the latest for icy weather. An absolute necessity in slippery conditions, Snow Grips (illustrated and priced at around €11) can be slipped over your shoes and accidental falls will be a thing of the past. These snow grips are a must for all the family, whether it’s for the walk, to school or work, getting supplies from your local shop

20

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

DE–ICING SALT They say good things come in small packages, so a tub of White De–Icing Salt (illustrated and priced at €4.99 for 3kg) might save your life just by sprinkling it over the driveway, patio or path! After Ireland ran out of salt early into the heavy snow last year, Topline Stores arranged for ample stocks and now, a salt supply in handy portable tubs is available for your added convenience.

BIRD FEEDERS While you must look after yourself and your family this winter, it’s also important to keep an eye on our feathered friends!

What better way than with a high, free-standing feeding station that comes with two free feeders; one for water and another for seeds and feed. These are available at Greenbarn, Killeagh, Co Cork, along with some very ornamental pots and containers.

FELCRO SECATEURS will always go down well as a Christmas present.

These are the Rolls Royce of secateurs! They can be resharpened as often as necessary and come fully guaranteed in all parts. I use two sets but still mourn a pair I lost five years ago and would always be pleased to unwrap another.

Expensive, yes, but no other secateurs can compete with the standard of workmanship, finish and efficiency.

As with trowels, secateurs should be available without searching the tool shed from top to bottom, which means having at least one hanging within sight and another by the back door. I keep a cheaper pair in the glove compartment of the car for when friends ask me to prune something in their garden, because other peoples’ secateurs are more than likely to be the equivalent of two butter knives held together with paper clips.

WILDFLOWERS OF IRELAND Books make the best presents of all. For the last few years I have had a policy of supporting my own printing industry by giving good gardening books to people with an interest in this great hobby.

From the Collins Press comes a marvellous tome on Wildflowers of Ireland by Zoe Devlin.

Zoe’s personal record of the wildflowers that

adorn Ireland’s countryside is presented so those without botanical knowledge can gain a greater understanding of the hedgerows and way-side. A great book for lovers of wild flowers and I recommend it to all.

TEAPOT NEST Robins prefer open nesting sites and often utilise man-made objects like open kettles and traditional teapots. This attractive Ceramic Teapot Nester from Mr Middleton in Dublin can be secured with wire or a screw.

Spout provides drainage. In use the nester will be lined with grass moss and leaves. Priced at €21.95.

slim, light, durable and priced at €14.99. No one should miss out on getting this fun filled product that is guaranteed to turn the slushy snow into a great pastime for all the family!

CHILDRENS SLEIGH After the first few days of snow last year there wasn’t a sleigh to be had in the country! In advance of more snow this winter, Topline have stocked up with a plastic sleigh of decent proportions which is

GARDENING TOOLS make excellent presents.

But they have to be the right kind. Big things like forks and spades are best chosen by the eventual user as only they can know what balances well in their hands. The exception is a good bulb planter of the long handed type. It is evident from the number of people who borrow mine that more of these are needed in circulation. As for small tools, one can’t have enough decent trowels of the kind with strong steel blades and wooden handles. Trowels with long thin blades are particularly useful for weeding in crowded conditions and there are many to choose from. However, whenever possible look for trowels made of stainless steel which are best for use in wet, sticky soil conditions.

Had I my time all over again, my entire garden tool collection would be those made of stainless steel! Try Dunsland Garden Centre for Wolf garden tools and a wide range of other very suitable presents.

WATER FEATURE If you are looking for a conversation point for your garden this four jug water feature with lights might provide the focal point. All that is required is an electric

socket.

Available from Griffin’s Garden Centre, Dripsey for €329.

RED BERRY TREE A miniature tree with a display of red berries can be displayed indoors and brighten up your home at Christmas. It’s child friendly and maintenance free. Berries remain attached until late January, making it the ideal Christmas indoor plant. Plant outdoors after Christmas — in the garden or in a patio pot and beautiful flowers will appear in spring and you can expect more gorgeous berries next autumn/ winter.

What’s really handy about this new tree is that it remains miniature — less than 3ft (1m) high. It can be got for €29.99 at Griffins Garden Centre Dripsey, Co Cork.

WELLINGTONS An ideal Xmas treat for any gardener or farmer’s feet, these Bekina Steplite X wellington boots are famed for their widefitting comfort and ability to keep feet warm in winter. Long lasting Steplite X boots are, as their name suggests, 40%, lighter than traditional wellies.

Available from farm suppliers nationwide, contact Agrihealth on LoCall 1890-200999 for details.

AUTOPOTS Manufactured in Cork, these one, two or three-tiered wheel rims are produced from old wheel rims welded and beautiful finished in a black gloss. They are totally rust and frost proof.

The price range starts at €45 for one tier, €60 for two-tier and €80 for three-tier available at Griffin’s Garden Centre.

GARDENNOTES

■ The Frank Lewis Gallery Killarney celebrates 25 years with an exhibition featuring botanical artist Susan Sex (among others). The exhibition is open to December 24, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.

■ A day out enjoying snowdrops and other spring treasures takes place at Altmont Gardens, Co Carlow, on Saturday, February 4, at 9.30am.

Lunch, lectures, admission to bulb sale and tour is included in €50 entry fee (before December 20).

Contact Hester at 086-8654972.

■ I can recommend The Irish Country House Garden Diary and Journal to gardeners everywhere. The illustrated journal costs €10 from www.cfireland.com or Breda O’Kelly Lisamote, Adare, Co Limerick.

■ Coachford Flower and Garden Club hold a social and work night on Wednesday at 8pm in the Village Inn and all are welcome.

■ A one-day workshop on decorating your home with traditional floral creations takes place at Templebreedy Grounds Experience, The Old Rectory, Crosshaven on dates up to December 23.

Maximum 6 persons per workshop.

Materials and lunch provided.

Contact 086 2888776 for details or visit TGECrosshaven@gmail.com ■ Sunday’s Well Flower and Garden Club confined Christmas Work Night is on Wednesday next at 8pm in St Vincent’s Parish Centre.

■ Clonakilty Flower Club hold a charity gala demonstration by Theresa Collins on Monday at 8pm in Fernhill House Hotel. Tickets €15 includes supper. Supporting WAFA, and Irish Wheelchair Association (Local Branch). All welcome.

■ Bandon Flower Club’s Christmas demonstration by Chris Bailey is in The Munster Arms Hotel, Bandon on Monday next at 8 pm.

■ Kanturk Flower Club meet on Wednesday in the Trade Union Hall at 8pm.

■ Wear a party hat and enjoy Christmas quiz, mince pies, etc., at Cork Flower Club in the Canon Packham Hall Douglas, on Tuesday at 8pm.

■ Conna and District Flower and Garden Club Christmas party and work night is on Wednesday at 8pm in the Community Hall.

■ Lough Flower and Garden Club’s confined party and work night is on Tuesday at 8pm in the SMA Hall Wilton.

■ Griffins creative team will inspire you with a workshop on Christmas tree dressing, mantle-piece swag, garlands, wreaths and more at noon this Monday, December 12, Wednesday 14 and Friday 16.

��������� ����

�������� ���� � ������ ���� ���� ����� ����� ������� �� ��� ���� ���� � ���� ����� ������ ���� � ��������� ��������� ���� ������� ������ ����� �������������� � ����� ���� ���������� ���� ��������� ���� ������ ��������� ���� �����

Christmas, the way it used to be! ���� ��������� � ����� ������ ��� ���

■ A series of Christmas Flower Workshops takes place at the Wild Floral Academy, Unit O9, Marina Commercial Park; Centre Park Road, Cork. See www.wild.ie for details.

■ Carlow Tourism will transform Duckett’s Grove Historic House into a winter wonderland when it hosts its annual Christmas Fair tomorrow from noon to 6pm.

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IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

21

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ANTIQUES & FINE ART

ADVERTISING

Three sales show strong interest among buyers for art, reports Des O’Sullivan

M

ORE than three million euros worth of Irish art has changed hands in the past fortnight. The James Adam sale in Dublin on Monday realised €2 million, Whyte’s grossed over €800,000 on November 28, Morgan O’Driscoll achieved €250,000 at his sale in Cork on November 28 and art sales at de Veres and Dolans bring the final tally even higher. Jazz Babies by Yeats made €480,000 at hammer against an estimate of €500,000-€700,000 to become the top lot at Adams. In September Adams achieved €1 million for another Yeats, A Fair Day, Mayo. This remains the most expensive Irish artwork to have changed hands at auction this year.

Other results from Monday’s sale include

Evening Kildare, a Yeats once in the collection of George Bernard Shaw (€36,000), The Unforgettable Background by Yeats (€130,000), Wind Blown Trees (€97,000) and A Roadside Cottage (€90,000) both by Paul Henry, Jaunting Car by William Conor doubled its low estimate to make €70,000, a large sculpture

by F.E. McWilliam made €58,000 and a Harry Clarke miniature stained glass panel entitled Bluebeard’s Last Wife made €50,000. A gold pocket watch and chain mentioned in James Joyce’s Ulysses made €60,000 over an estimate of €8,000-€12,000.

It belonged to John O’Connell (1844-1925), described in the work as ‘caretaker’ at Glasnevin Cemetery when Leopold Bloom attended Paddy Dignam’s funeral.

Jazz Babies by Jack B Yeats was the top lot at Adams in Dublin on Monday. It made €480,000 at hammer.

The Jaunting Car by Wiliam Conor made €70,000 at Adams.

Est 1887

The Wish List

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Collins letters at Mealy sale

A

N original copy of the Proclamation, a collection of 26 letters by Michael Collins and Titanic material all feature at Mealy’s book and literary sale in Dublin next Tuesday and Wednesday. The Proclamation is conservatively estimated at €40,000-€50,000. It is a bloodstained copy, torn from the wall of the GPO by a young volunteer called Marty Tubridy who was with the East Clare Brigade at the Four Courts under Ned Daly.

The Collins letters (estimated at €14,000€16,000) refer to the Dáil Loan Fund of 1920 and there is a letter about furnishings on the Titanic, as well as rescue Marconigrams.

There is material on the world’s first wireless broadcast by Marconi in 1898 and a copy of Sean O’Casey’s first work in a sale that will prove to be of huge appeal to collectors. It includes works from the libraries of the late Alan Haughton and Dr Maurice Craig and a travel collection from the 19th century explorer John Madden. The venue for the auction is the D4 Berkeley Court Hotel, on view there tomorrow.

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22

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

This copy of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic will be sold

by Mealy’s in Dublin next week.

DIARY The Marshs sale takes place at noon today at Rochford’s Lane near Grand Parade/South Mall, Cork, featuring jewellery, furniture, Cork glass, silver, pewter and a collection of books. .........................................................

In Limerick there are auctions today at O’Donovan and Associates, Newcastlewest at 11am and at Limerick Auction Rooms, Ballysimon Road, Limerick at 2.30pm. .........................................................

Auctioneer Aidan Foley will have his Christmas sale of 500 lots at The Old Schoolhouse, Doneraile at 1pm today. .........................................................

Hibernian Antique Fairs are at Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis, Co Clare from 11am to 6pm tomorrow. .........................................................

In Dublin there will be a fine art and furniture auction at Adam’s, Blackrock on Tuesday, O’Reilly’s of Francis St will have an auction of fine jewellery on Wednesday at 1pm and James Adam will conduct a sale of luxury items, including jewellery, couture, wine, modern art and photography at St Stephen’s Green at 6pm next Wednesday. .........................................................

The top lot at the Woodwards auction in Cork was a set of Cork 11-bar chairs which made €2,200. A Victorian d-end dining table made €1,500, a set of nine Victorian balloon back chairs 1,300 and Regency and Georgian card tables each made €1,100. .........................................................

Creativity and Skill is the title of the 25th birthday, Christmas exhibition at the Frank Lewis Gallery in Killarney. It features work by Pauline Bewick, William Crozier, Susan Sex, Derry Shannon and Claudio Viscardi. The show runs to December 24. .........................................................

There is a four-day sale of the Elizabeth Taylor Collection at Christie’s in New York with an evening jewellery auction next Tuesday.

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SECTION PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL Ger Duggan Tel: 021-4802192 email: interiorads@examiner.ie

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Showroom: Colomane, Bantry.

After Before

(approx 6miles outside Bantry, next to Willie Pa’s Rest.)

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www.portas.ie

Irish art sales exceed €3m in two weeks

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IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

23

Zone:XP1

XP1 - V1

XP1 - V1

ANTIQUES & FINE ART

ADVERTISING

Three sales show strong interest among buyers for art, reports Des O’Sullivan

M

ORE than three million euros worth of Irish art has changed hands in the past fortnight. The James Adam sale in Dublin on Monday realised €2 million, Whyte’s grossed over €800,000 on November 28, Morgan O’Driscoll achieved €250,000 at his sale in Cork on November 28 and art sales at de Veres and Dolans bring the final tally even higher. Jazz Babies by Yeats made €480,000 at hammer against an estimate of €500,000-€700,000 to become the top lot at Adams. In September Adams achieved €1 million for another Yeats, A Fair Day, Mayo. This remains the most expensive Irish artwork to have changed hands at auction this year.

Other results from Monday’s sale include

Evening Kildare, a Yeats once in the collection of George Bernard Shaw (€36,000), The Unforgettable Background by Yeats (€130,000), Wind Blown Trees (€97,000) and A Roadside Cottage (€90,000) both by Paul Henry, Jaunting Car by William Conor doubled its low estimate to make €70,000, a large sculpture

by F.E. McWilliam made €58,000 and a Harry Clarke miniature stained glass panel entitled Bluebeard’s Last Wife made €50,000. A gold pocket watch and chain mentioned in James Joyce’s Ulysses made €60,000 over an estimate of €8,000-€12,000.

It belonged to John O’Connell (1844-1925), described in the work as ‘caretaker’ at Glasnevin Cemetery when Leopold Bloom attended Paddy Dignam’s funeral.

Jazz Babies by Jack B Yeats was the top lot at Adams in Dublin on Monday. It made €480,000 at hammer.

The Jaunting Car by Wiliam Conor made €70,000 at Adams.

Est 1887

The Wish List

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Collins letters at Mealy sale

A

N original copy of the Proclamation, a collection of 26 letters by Michael Collins and Titanic material all feature at Mealy’s book and literary sale in Dublin next Tuesday and Wednesday. The Proclamation is conservatively estimated at €40,000-€50,000. It is a bloodstained copy, torn from the wall of the GPO by a young volunteer called Marty Tubridy who was with the East Clare Brigade at the Four Courts under Ned Daly.

The Collins letters (estimated at €14,000€16,000) refer to the Dáil Loan Fund of 1920 and there is a letter about furnishings on the Titanic, as well as rescue Marconigrams.

There is material on the world’s first wireless broadcast by Marconi in 1898 and a copy of Sean O’Casey’s first work in a sale that will prove to be of huge appeal to collectors. It includes works from the libraries of the late Alan Haughton and Dr Maurice Craig and a travel collection from the 19th century explorer John Madden. The venue for the auction is the D4 Berkeley Court Hotel, on view there tomorrow.

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22

IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

This copy of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic will be sold

by Mealy’s in Dublin next week.

DIARY The Marshs sale takes place at noon today at Rochford’s Lane near Grand Parade/South Mall, Cork, featuring jewellery, furniture, Cork glass, silver, pewter and a collection of books. .........................................................

In Limerick there are auctions today at O’Donovan and Associates, Newcastlewest at 11am and at Limerick Auction Rooms, Ballysimon Road, Limerick at 2.30pm. .........................................................

Auctioneer Aidan Foley will have his Christmas sale of 500 lots at The Old Schoolhouse, Doneraile at 1pm today. .........................................................

Hibernian Antique Fairs are at Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis, Co Clare from 11am to 6pm tomorrow. .........................................................

In Dublin there will be a fine art and furniture auction at Adam’s, Blackrock on Tuesday, O’Reilly’s of Francis St will have an auction of fine jewellery on Wednesday at 1pm and James Adam will conduct a sale of luxury items, including jewellery, couture, wine, modern art and photography at St Stephen’s Green at 6pm next Wednesday. .........................................................

The top lot at the Woodwards auction in Cork was a set of Cork 11-bar chairs which made €2,200. A Victorian d-end dining table made €1,500, a set of nine Victorian balloon back chairs 1,300 and Regency and Georgian card tables each made €1,100. .........................................................

Creativity and Skill is the title of the 25th birthday, Christmas exhibition at the Frank Lewis Gallery in Killarney. It features work by Pauline Bewick, William Crozier, Susan Sex, Derry Shannon and Claudio Viscardi. The show runs to December 24. .........................................................

There is a four-day sale of the Elizabeth Taylor Collection at Christie’s in New York with an evening jewellery auction next Tuesday.

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SECTION PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL Ger Duggan Tel: 021-4802192 email: interiorads@examiner.ie

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Interior Doors, from old to new!

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FLOOR COVERINGS LTD ���� �����������

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Showroom: Colomane, Bantry.

After Before

(approx 6miles outside Bantry, next to Willie Pa’s Rest.)

We renovate & modernise your existing: Interior Doors, Entrance Doors & Staircases

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www.portas.ie

Irish art sales exceed €3m in two weeks

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TERAPROOF:User:noelcampionDate:08/12/2011Time:13:39:27Edition:10/12/2011PropertyXP1012Page:22

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IRISH EXAMINER Property&Interiors | 10.12.2011

23

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