The recent spell of good weather has really showcased the beauty that Ireland’s coastal regions have to offer but few places offer the kind of breathtaking views as Dursey Shore Lighthouse Residence in Garnish on the Beara Peninsula in West Cork.
Pitched high on rugged cliffs with views across the Wild Atlantic Way and framed by Dursey Island and Crow Head, this four bed, five bathroom home was originally built in the early 1860s to accommodate the Calf Rock Lighthouse keepers and their families, with its location carefully chosen to offer a clear line of sight to Calf Rock just offshore.
Sadly the lighthouse was destroyed in a storm in November 1881 and a decision was made to move the lighthouse to the higher and safer Bull Rock nearby, but the Lighthouse Residence remains and has been thoughtfully extended and restored in the years since to create a spacious and unique home boasting some of the most scenic views in the country.
While the coastline of the Beara Peninsula is renowned for its blue waters and rugged cliffs, what makes this property so unique is the two acres of grounds that sweep down to the sea towards a truly remarkable boathouse positioned above the foreshore that offers a secluded swimming cove with a cutout pier and slipway.
A sundial located adjoining the property records it as the location of the final sunset of the last millennium in Western Europe and sets the scene for this unique property.
While the setting is sure to take your breath away, the home itself is pretty special also. Now offering 380sqm of living space, Dursey Shore Lighthouse Residence is easily adaptable to either one or two separate dwellings.
The house - built in the early 1860s with substantial renovations beginning in the late 1990s - exudes character with decorative red brick window and door surrounds maintaining the feel of the original house while the addition of two elegant octagonal Victorian style conservatories bring the picturesque surroundings inside.
Excellently maintained and attractively presented, the spacious reception rooms of Dursey Shore Lighthouse Residence have wonderful proportions, with tall windows to let in maximum light and access the extraordinary views.
With an ideal balance between formality and family relaxation, this is a house to entertain in style, enjoy at leisure and make the most of throughout the seasons. Cosy fireplaces ensure warmth in winter, while contemporary rooms let you enjoy the landscape at all times of the year. The well-positioned patio areas also take in the magnificent views of this renowned part of Beara in West Cork.
The home is currently laid out in two separate living areas that can easily be adapted into one spacious home. Most of the rooms benefit from the outstanding views. The bedrooms are all spacious and there is potential to create a separate guest house on the grounds.
There is flexibility to adapt the property for living, working, adding staff quarters, or creating an additional income stream. One such adaptable area is the boat house, which was a former storehouse.
Positioned above the foreshore and slipway on a rock base, the building is ideal for lifestyle use including the storing of kayaks or a studio. Built to store provisions for the lighthouse, a crane was used to lower goods to a waiting boat below to be shipped to Calf Rock.
An ancillary building to the main house includes an open shed with stairs to a floored loft, ideal for storing a boat, attached glass house and garage. The building is easily adaptable for use as a further living area, workshop, garage or studio.
There are two further stone built outbuildings, one to the rear of the property and a second to the east which offer further potential.
While the coastline of the Beara Peninsula is renowned for the extraordinary beauty of its blue waters and rugged cliffs, relatively few properties have grounds that sweep down to the sea. Even fewer have direct water access.
The Dursey Shore Lighthouse Residence is a private enclave with a sunny southwest aspect to one of Ireland's most spectacular views. A large, gravelled driveway leads to a sitting area in front of the house and a further raised decking area which extends towards the sea to take in the views. Further lawns, fields and patios surround the house. There is also private shoreline access via steps cut out of the rocks.
The Dursey Shore Lighthouse Residence at the south west tip of the Beara Peninsula, is an iconic location on the Wild Atlantic and the spectacular ocean views make this part of the south west of Ireland a much sought after location.
Sailing and fishing are catered for, as is golf with the Castletownbere Golf Club. The town of Castletownbere is 30 minutes away and has a selection of picturesque pubs and restaurants, the famous seaport and the nearby Budda Retreat.
Another major attraction of the area is the many nearby colourful West Cork villages including Allihies and Eyeries.
The area also benefits from a microclimate, warmed by the Gulf Stream, which enables the cultivation of a wide diversity of plants. The clear deep waters of the bay are home to a seal population and include many very picturesque swimming spots.
For further details on one of West Cork’s most unique and special residences, find out more about Dursey Shore Lighthouse Residence on MyHome at www.myhome.ie/4836929 or contact selling agent Olivia Hanafin of Sherry FitzGerald O’Neill on 028 214 04.
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