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WITH 1m plus prices no longer raising eyebrows on the Dublin property market, a glance at what is available in the country for less than half that figure is still worthy an exclamation mark or two. This renovated period residence, 'Ard Colm', Urbalshinney, just outside Milford, Co Donegal, has all of the character and appeal of similar Georgian properties in the capital, but with one big difference - the asking price guide is 425,000. The house stands on over half an acre, 10 minutes away from the heritage town of Ramelton, scenic Rathmullen and Portsalon on the shore of Lough Swilly, and just 20 minutes drive from Letterkenny.
There are five double bedrooms, leading off the large first floor landing which is light-filled courtesy of the stained glass feature window. The tone is set for the whole house at the entrance hall with its ornate coving and original timber floors which have been sanded and varnished.
Throughout, the deep skirtings and architraves, the panelled doors and decorative plasterwork and sash windows serve as architectural reminders of the vintage of the property.
Two reception rooms leading off either side of the hall have 10 feet high ceilings and marble fireplaces; the sitting room is particularly bright with two high sash windows. Another room, originally a formal dining room, is still used for that function but also doubles as a relaxed family area. This space is open plan to a very pretty kitchen where the 'country' look is not overdone - the extensive fitted presses, some with glass fronts, are painted a subtle Swedish blue backed by red and white wall tiling and cherry painted walls. A Belfast sink gives a nod to the period origins of the house. Next to this is a larger than average utility with traditional half panelled wainscotting and decorative tiled flooring. The cloakroom also has wainscotting, as does the bedroom-sized main bathroom upstairs.
This is another lovely room, decorated in pale blue and white, with a tall sash window, varnished timber floor, and free standing, restored cast iron bath.
To the front of the house is a gravel driveway, entered through cast iron gates, and along a front garden laid in lawn with mature trees as the boundary. Another large lawn lies to the rear of the house, again with mature trees, plus an extensively paved area and a whitewashed outhouse.
Fine, detached period houses of this calibre are gradually becoming more scarce in Donegal. Just one of the many attractions for the next owner of 'Ard Colm' is that it has been fully renovated, is ready to walk into and therefore won't require any more spending than the asking price.
Price: 425,000 Agent: Franklins 074-91 88 000
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YOU ARE HERE: 19 March 2007 / tribune.ie / 2006 / 09 / 03
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