Ebor Cottage, Drinagh, Skibbereen, Co. Cork, P47XK35

A charming extended three-bedroom cottage on just over half an acre, combining traditional character with comfortable modern living, a sunroom, private patio, generous garden and a peaceful rural setting close to the village. There is something immediately special about this extended traditional cottage. Set on just over half an acre in a peaceful rural setting, it has the kind of character that is becoming increasingly difficult to find, compact enough to feel cosy, yet cleverly extended to provide comfortable and surprisingly generous accommodation. The heart of the house is the open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, where exposed ceiling beams and a substantial stone fireplace with solid-fuel stove give the room all the warmth and personality you would hope for in a country cottage. It is an easy, informal space where cooking, eating and relaxing all happen together, and where the older character of the cottage sits very comfortably alongside the more modern additions. One of the nicest features is the south-facing sunroom. Perfectly positioned to make the most of the light, it provides a peaceful place to sit with a coffee, a book or simply watch the weather roll across the surrounding countryside. From here, a door open onto a private paved patio, extending the living space outdoors and creating a lovely sheltered spot for summer lunches and long evenings watching the sun go down. The ground-floor master bedroom occupies its own extended wing and is particularly appealing. Generous in size, it has an en-suite bathroom and glazed double doors opening directly onto the rear patio. On a fine morning, you can quite literally step out of bed and wander outside with the first cup of tea of the day. A useful utility room completes the accommodation at this level. Upstairs, tucked beneath the roofline in true cottage fashion, are two cosy bedrooms together with the main bathroom, giving the house three bedrooms in total. Outside is where the property really comes into its own. The site extends to just over half an acre, with a large lawn or paddock stretching away beyond the patio. The south-westerly aspect means the outdoor areas are well placed to catch the afternoon and evening sun, while mature boundaries and the rural surroundings give the property a reassuring sense of privacy. There is plenty of space for gardening, children, dogs, a few hens or simply leaving the grass alone and enjoying the view. Despite its peaceful setting, the cottage is far from isolated. Drinagh village is approximately 2 km away, with a supermarket and local school, while Skibbereen is about 14 km and Dunmanway approximately 12 km. Cork City and Airport are around 65 km away. Altogether, this is a very appealing little country home – charming without being impractical, rural without being remote, and with just enough land to make life interesting without turning every weekend into farm work. Services: Mains water, septic tank and high speed broadband available.