Forget the glorified bedrooms and simple kitchenettes traditionally associated with granny flats. A glamorous version of this Ovens home will stop the clicking of knitting needles across the country.
More of a luxury apartment than a backyard attached house, it’s the kind of standard that should make grandma very happy indeed, assuming she’s not competing with her grown-up grandchildren for personal living space.
Even so, the problem is easily solved in this house in the Cool Bana Alcove, near the village of Ovens/Killumney, because the main house has enough space to accommodate a small platoon.
The large five-bed house was a lavish family home for Lorraine and Peter O’Sullivan, who bought the site on which it was built 23 years ago.
“We were the last one, it was the only lot left,” says Lorraine, adding that they also purchased the house plan from the site seller. She had a ready-made version designed by Lakewood Design.
“I loved her design, so we went with it,” says Lorraine.
All but three of the 10 houses in Kul-Ban were built according to an individual project. The trio of twins was built by a developer who began construction 28 years ago but later sold the remaining plots. That only one home has since come up for sale is a vote of confidence for the area.
“With the exception of last year, not a single house has been put on the market in 28 years,” says Lorraine. It was 5, No 7 Cúl Bán, a five-bedroom detached house that sold in March for €82,000. In the price register it is registered under number 7 “Kulban”.
House No. 3, which is now for sale, is also a five-room detached house, but with the trump card of that very chic “granny apartment”. Previously a garage, it has been converted and extended by the owners (they also built a new garage) and includes a spacious open plan living area (kitchen/dining/lounge, pictured center right), two bedrooms (single and double), small utility room and shower room. In all but name, this is a bungalow.
For new owners, granny flat options include: Rental income/living for adult children/living for grandparents.
As it is separate from the main house, there is a degree of privacy, although there is the possibility of reworking the driveway to create a separate vehicle entrance, and the garden could also be fenced off. It can also be used as a work studio, although the main house allows for remote working: there is a home office downstairs, and a games room with French doors to the rear garden can also be flexible.
The reception rooms in No. 3 are located on either side of a central, distinctive staircase, which splits into two to form a gallery.
The master bedroom is more like a suite with a walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom. Two further double rooms share a Jack and Jill bathroom.
The beloved downstairs space includes several interconnected areas: a living room with double doors leading to the kitchen/dining room, connected in turn to the sunroom, where patio doors open onto the south-facing garden. Light and space are in abundance here.
The site has been landscaped since the early days, and this is proof that you will invest money in advance. The trees are mature and the driveway shrubs planted in pebble beds are attractive and easy to care for. Since the house is located in a ravine, it is well protected from passers-by. In any case, the borders are bordered by mature hedges. Outback views stretch across the countryside as far as the eye can see. It’s as peaceful and quiet as it gets, but just 5km from Ballincollig and a short walk from the village of Killumney, where the couple’s daughter, Shannon, a hairdresser, runs Salon 28.
“People used to think Ovens/Killamney was too far away, but that’s not the case anymore. It’s now as popular as Waterfall or Model Farm Rd,” says Norma Healy of Sherry Fitzgerald, who is handling the sale. She notes how close the site is to Ovens National School and Éire Óg GAA Club. Dell Technologies Ovens Campus and Lee Valley Golf Club are just minutes away.
The price tag of 1.1 million euros is aimed at traders; perhaps doctors from hospitals in the western suburbs or executives from the nearby Dell Technologies campus? Whoever the buyer is, they will get two houses for less than you might expect.
VERDICT: Excellent property with quick access to major road networks. An ideal exchange, especially if there are grandparents in the house. Granny’s Flat is a stellar twist.