Cotter started restoration work on Seamark, which sits on five acres, in 2004. It had been bought by her husband in 1997 and encouraged by its potential and spectacular location, she spent a year-and-a-half transforming the property, which was built in 1825 and extended in the 1920s.

"The building had to be gutted as the fabric was in very poor condition and we restored everything that could be restored, including the majority of the windows and shutters. Any new ones were made as exact replicas. We also found some of the original cornicing and had moulds made by specialists to match.

"There was a lot of damp and we had to damp-proof the whole basement. We also took out old radiators and pipework and installed oil-fired underfloor heating. The house is now highly insulated and we are using about one-third of the amount of fuel we previously used."

The original main staircase was restored along with the original doors, door lining, architraves and window panelling. The ground floor was finished in oak while the basement hall is done in marble.

Extending over three floors, accommodation includes three reception rooms, a contemporary kitchen and breakfast room, seven bedrooms and four bathrooms.

The house is approached by a flight of wide limestone steps rising to the entrance hall, reception hall, drawing room, dining room, study, kitchen and breakfast room, office and cloakroom.

On the first floor there is a landing with walk-in linen cupboard off the main staircase return; master suite with en-suite bathroom and dressing room, four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

At garden level, there is a family room with home cinema, open fireplace, built-in units and French doors to the west gardens and patio, three bedrooms, a second kitchen, communications room, utility room, restored original wine cellar, and wet room with cool storage for wet gear.

Featuring triple aspects, running the full width of the house, the drawing room has picture sash windows with views of the gardens to the sea and inner harbour. There is an open fireplace with marble chimneypiece, inset ceiling downlighting and ceiling speakers.

The kitchen runs the complete length of the east wing, with three sets of folding glazed doors, opening to a hardwood balcony deck with stainless-steel rail, looking south over the parterre and gardens to the sea.

While the dwelling harks back to a more refined era, Cotter took the opportunity presented by the refurbishment to include state-of-the-art systems. The house is fully networked via CAT6 wiring to include a Digilinx entertainment system with individual room control and Cisco Systems IP telephone facility. There is also a security system, programmable lighting controls, a five amp lighting circuit and external floodlighting.

The restoration brought its rewards as well as its challenges, Cotter remarks. "There were days when it was very frustrating and days when it was really satisfying."

Designed by landscape architect Rachel Lamb, the gardens incorporate a variety of shrubs that thrive in the temperate West Cork climate. The couple, both passionate sailors, created the deep-water mooring in the harbour which is included with the sale of property.

It will, the owners admit, be difficult to find something to beat this beauty. "The location will be hard to surpass. It is very unusual. Every visitor comments on it."

The lowdown
Address: Seamark, Glandore, Co. Cork
Details: Restored Georgian house spanning 600 sq m (6,500 sq ft) enjoying 180-degree views over Glandore Harbour and Union Hall, approximately 11km from Skibbereen and 72 km from Cork. Surrounded by landscaped gardens and grounds, it has 150m of sea frontage with deep water mooring Highlights: Comprehensive and sensitive restoration combined with cutting-edge technology and cleanlined kitchen. The beauty of the waterfront location, looking down on the harbour with views in two directions Price: excess 6m Joint agents: Michael H Daniels & Co, 022 46996 and Charles McCarthy, 028 21533