Wizardry at work in a Georgian townhouse
This Georgian façade in West Cork hides a massive surprise
Tots Cottage, Castletownshend, West Cork
From the front of this house, you’d never know the architectural wizardry that was put into its restoration. Sitting on the main street of the famous coastal town of Castletownshend, Tots Cottage is a seemingly unassuming small Georgian townhouse.
But to the rear it has been modernised with a spectacular light-filled, three-storey, barrel-roofed extension
housing extra living and sleeping quarters. As a result, it’s far from short on space, with 161sq.m – and views right to the sea.
The entrance hall leads to interconnecting drawing and dining rooms, with double doors to the kitchen, a laundry room and light-filled sun room. Upstairs, there are three bedrooms on the first floor and a family bathroom.
The family sitting room is also on the first floor, with light flooding in through the glass double doors that lead to the sun terrace.
On the second floor, there is a further double bedroom and a long gallery seating area that stretches the length of the house
The barrel roof frames the whole double-height space, with a gallery sitting area overlooking another garden-level living space and, sitting on top, a spacious double bedroom that also has garden views.
In the garden, there is a building with both electricity and water that opens up the option of adding guest accomodation.
Throughout the house, the decor is top notch, with a gas range in the kitchen. But if the thought of having to cook gets too much there’s always the option of strolling down the street to one of the best sea food pubs in the country. Castletownshend Harbour is famous as a sailing harbour and Mary Ann’s Bar and Restaurant is famous for both atmosphere and food.
Agent: Ganly Walters, Dublin (01) 901 4249