City to Country: Edwardian Elegance in Dublin or off-grid in the forests of east Clare

With the addition of three sets of oversized sliding patio doors, the owners of Dunroaming at Coolbunnia, Cheekpoint in Waterford have let in the light and significantly improved their views of River Suir.

The patio door installation was part of major refurbishment works carried out on the 1970s bungalow since the owners purchased it in 2022. Walls were knocked to allow for the creation of a spacious modern kitchen /dining /living room with contemporary black handleless units with a large central island and two patio doors.

 A fireplace was removed and replaced it with a corner stove and timber wall panelling was added in the living area.

The third set of patio doors belongs to a spacious en suite bedroom overlooking the river. The reconfigured property also has a utility room, a guest WC and bathroom and three additional bedrooms.

In the extensive gardens the owner did a lot of clearing and got rid of trees that were blocking the view but have left further landscaping to be done by new owners.

Located on an elevated site above the River Suir, Dunroaming is within a few minutes drive from Cheekpoint village and 11 km from Waterford city.

On the market with a guide of €575,000, it’s being sold by Warren Palmer of Palmer auctioneers who says it’s a beautiful modern home with spectacular views which is going to have strong appeal for trade up buyers from Waterford city.

VERDICT: Stylishly modern with impressive river views.

A house in the forests of east Clare with solar PV powered electricity and 22 acres of land could be an option for a buyer who is serious about relocating to the country.

Auctioneer Martin Canny says the modern three-bed detached house at Bleach Bridge, Flagmount is remarkable for its tranquillity and seclusion – and also because it isn’t connected to the electricity grid. “It has solar panels to supply the electricity, a solid fuel range/ cooker to provide heating and a generator for the winter,’’ he reveals.

Built by its owners 25 years ago – it’s a modern 174 sq metres house with double glazing, a D1 BER and a bank of standalone solar panels in the garden.

The interior is modern but has the type of exposed timber beams and latched doors that are usually found in more traditional properties. Ground flood accommodation includes a large kitchen/diner, a living room, a utility room and an en suite bedroom. Upstairs, there's a bathroom and two bedrooms including one with a balcony offering views of faraway hills.

Guiding the property at €440,000, Mr Canny estimates that around a third of the 22 acres of land is wooded. Near the house there’s a large polytunnel where the owners used to grow vegetables as well as a separate cabin and several outbuildings.

Located within a 25-minute drive from Tuamgraney it might be bought by a family who want to send their children to the Steiner school there.

VERDICT: Offers an alternative lifestyle, far from the madding crowd.

To get the best possible views of the Shannon Erne Waterways, Sliabh an Iarann and the Arigna Mountains, the owners this five-bed property at Keshcarrigan in Leitrim built it with a balconied three storey tower.

They say that on a clear day they can see out across Leitrim, Cavan, Roscommon and Sligo from the balcony, says Liam Farrell of Sherry FitzGerald Farrell who recently listed the highly individual house and its one hectare site with a guide of €575,000.

Returning from the US in the mid 1990s the owners commissioned architect Richard Pearse to build a traditional style property using reclaimed and natural materials. “Bangor blue Welsh slate, natural lime render, Donegal sandstone cladding and handmade bricks from York were used in construction,’’ reveals Mr Farrell.

At ground level it has a circular, traditional style dining room with a marble fireplace as well a modern kitchen/diner, a utility room, two bedrooms and a high ceilinged sitting room with redbrick chimney.

The upper floor has a bathroom and two bedrooms, including a circular one as well as a staircase leading up to a circular sitting room at the top of the tower which has two doors opening onto the balcony with panoramic views.

Surrounded by lawned gardens, the house has a detached garage, a large patio and wildflower meadow as well as a tree lined driveway. Located within a short walk from Keshcarrigan marina, it’s 15 km from Carrick-on-Shannon.

VERDICT: Distinctive and unusual, it could attract other returning emigrants.

Elegantly Edwardian, No 49 Philipsburgh Avenue, Marino Dublin 3, is a mid-terrace gable fronted redbrick house with Tudor-style cladding and a surprising number of original features.

Quoting a guide of €685,000, Peter Quigley of Gallagher Quigley auctioneers says this three bed property is a perfect example of a house built by Alexander Strain, a Dublin builder renowned for building good quality houses for the middle classes at the start of the 20th century.

“ It has wonderful architectural character and a range of original features including floors and cornicing as well as marble fireplaces and doors with stained glass panels,’’ he reveals, noting that the house was upgraded, reroofed and refurbished by previous owners. Since buying in 2013, current owners have upgraded the kitchen.

There’s 111 sq metres of living space which includes two reception rooms, one a living room and one a formal dining room. Connected in the middle by bi folding doors with stained glass inserts, both rooms have black and red marble fireplaces, high ceilings with cornicing.

To the rear there’s a stylish modern kitchen with grey shaker style granite topped units and a small breakfast nook.

The ground floor has a shower room while the upstairs has a bathroom and three bedrooms with original cast iron fireplaces.

Situated in a terrace of five houses with small railed gardens at the front, the property is within walking distance of Marino and Fairview and also of Clontarf Dart station and promenade.

VERDICT: Attractively mixes modern and period features.