Monks Priory, Glengarriff, Co. Cork

SPECIAL FEATURES

Charming Period style House in immaculate condition

Modern construction completed in 2006

Elegant reception rooms

Large kitchen and conservatory

Four bedrooms

Separate two bedroom Guest House

Approx. 1.3 acres of grounds

Expansive terrace with spectacular views of Glengarriff Harbour and Garinish Island

Private foreshore access

Boathouse

Separate workshop and greenhouse

Mature grounds, trees and planting

Exceptional coastal location

DESCRIPTION

Sheltered by mature trees, before opening up to spectacular views, Monks Priory must occupy one of the most perfect locations in Ireland. Sitting on the shoreline at the edge of the picture-postcard perfect heritage village of Glengarriff, Monks Priory is a Georgian style gem.

Perfectly maintained and beautifully presented, the elegant and graceful reception rooms have wonderful proportions, with 10ft high ceilings and tall windows to let in maximum light and access the extraordinary views.

With an ideal balance between formality and family relaxation, this is a house to entertain in style, enjoy at leisure and make the most of throughout the seasons. Cosy fireplaces warm in winter, while the classically styled contemporary conservatory extension lets you enjoy the landscape at all times of the year. Beyond this, a marvellous decked terrace takes in the sweep of this renowned part of Bantry Bay. The four double bedrooms are all en-suite, and there is a completely separate two-bedroomed guest house on the grounds to give you huge flexibility for living, working, adding staff quarters, or creating an additional income stream.

However you choose to live at Monks Priory, this is a house that will truly reward.

MONKS PRIORY

A wide and elegant entrance hall greets you at Monks Priory. With its fan-lit door, polished tile floor, panelling, architraves and generous proportions, it opens to a library and sitting room at the front of the house. These perfectly matched reception rooms are both dual aspect, with fireplaces and Period style detailing.

Beyond these, the hall leads to a truly elegant dining room, which in turn opens to a spacious and sunny conservatory a more recent addition to Monks Priory, but utterly in keeping with the Period style charm of the house. A kitchen / breakfast room leads off this, with a further utility space beside. Warmed by a four oven Aga, the kitchen has plenty of space for family and informal suppers. There is also a study at this level. The rooms on the ground floor have 10ft ceilings, giving a sense of space and light throughout.

Upstairs the four bedrooms are all generous doubles, with en-suites and sea and garden views. There is a very spacious master, while the second bedroom also has a dressing room. The first floor spaces have 9ft ceilings, so again, space and light abounds. There are two small storage rooms, and a family bathroom here.

Go up again to a c.1,000 sq ft attic, which is fully floored, and has both lights and power sockets. Currently with a totally open plan, it has two Velux roof lights, and is ready for conversion for your choice of uses: from home gym, to work area, to additional sleeping spaces.

The two-bedroomed guest cottage is a charming, completely separate two storey space, with a kitchen and lounge at ground level, and the bedrooms above; again providing great flexibility, or an additional income stream.

GARDENS AND GROUNDS

Sheltered from the road by mature planting, Monks Priory is a completely private enclave that opens up to one of Ireland s most spectacular views. A large gravelled parking area is to the front, leading to stone steps and a small lawned area that welcomes you to your door. Further lawns, mature planting and patios surround the house, where you will also find a boat house, large greenhouse and a boilerhouse. The greenhouse has warm teracotta floor tiles, and is to a traditional design, making it a fantastic amenity to take advantage of Glengarriff s unique microclimate, and grow fruit, herbs, vegetables and delicate flowers. It is also atmospheric enough to play host to evening gatherings on long summer nights.

There is private shoreline access via a small flight of steps, but the true showstopper is the c. 2,000 sq ft cedar wood deck, which extends out above the sloping gardens. Supported by galvanised steel, and fully weather proofed, this gives you prime position to enjoy the extraordinary beauty of this wonderful spot on the Wild Atlantic Way.

LOCATION

The village of Glengarriff sits at the top of Bantry Bay, one of the long, deep inlets on the Wild Atlantic Way that make this part of the south west of Ireland such a famous location. Deriving its name from the Irish the craggy glen , Glengarriff is picture postcard perfect, and is a quieter spot than sister destinations of Bantry, Kenmare and Killarney, but has all you could require.

Sailing and fishing are catered for, as is golf with the Glengarriff Golf Club. The Glengarriff National Park is just minutes away. The village itself has picturesque pubs and restaurants, the famous Eccles Hotel, additonal hotels and guest houses, boutiques and shops. There is also a local national school.

The area benefits from a microclimate, warmed by the Gulf Stream, which enables the cultivation of a wide diversity of plants. The clear deep waters of the bay are home to a seal population, and also include many very picturesque swimming spots. A major attraction of Glengarriff is Garinish Island, also known as Illnacullin, with regular boat trips from the village during the holiday season.

Short stroll, 1 km to Glengarriff Village with public footpath and street lights all the way.

20 minutes / 16 km to Bantry.

30 minutes / 28 km to Kenmare.

1 hour 20 minutes / 90 km to Cork City.

1 hour 20 minutes / 90 km to Cork International Airport.

340 km to Dublin International Airport. (all times and distances are approximate)

SERVICES

Oil fired central heating

Underfloor heating on ground and first floor levels

Mains drainage

Mains water

Separate metering for Main House and Annexe

Wired for smoke alarm, burglar alarm, TV and phones