PITCH US YOUR HOUSE:Sheila and Leo Duffy who work at Yellowstone Communications Design, in marketing and as MD.
What and where
Extended two-bedroom cottage on three quarters of an acre just outside the village of Avoca in Co Wicklow for €550,000.
On a quiet country road just past Castlemacadam Church, the cottage is a stroll from the village with its shops, pubs, pharmacy and school.
The house was featured on About the House in 2001 when we renovated and extended. The upside of Duncan Stewart's guidance is that both light and insulation were the two aspects that led the build - the end result is a cosy home flooded with light. The land is divided into a landscaped back garden and a large vegetable patch with polytunnel and fruit trees - all bordered by a stream.
Describe the house
The cottage originally faced north but, with a couple of changes, it now faces south. The original two-bed granite cottage has retained most of its original features, including a large open fireplace, now fitted with a Waterford Stanley wood-burning range - no oil here, we're eco all the way.
The L-shaped extension has added almost 28sq m (300sq ft) to the main livingroom with 7ft high dual aspect windows leading to the elevated deck with country views. A study planned to come off this room can still be built as planning permission will not run out for another three-plus years, extending the cottage to 102sq m (1,100sq ft). Finishes include green slate tiles imported from India for the kitchen, ivory limestone imported from Portugal for the sittingroom and French oak in the main livingroom.
Why are you moving?
Five years holidaying in the eastern Algarve and we're smitten. After a two-year search we finally found a lovely plot of 5.5 acres and we are building our dream home.
What is the best thing about the house?
If sun is your thing, then this is the place for you - it's hot enough that we imported an Australian sail shade and had it fitted to the elevated deck.
Our grape vines are romping away to such an extent that we highly recommend anyone buying the house to build a pergola over the large dining patio - yes, it gets that hot! Plus the garden is a dream.
And the neighbourhood?
If village life is not quite enough for you, then there's always the distinguished Woodenbridge Gold Club, 3kms in the other direction, or the acclaimed Brooklodge Hotel and Spa, plus golf 8kms over the hill at Aughrim.
Did I mention that the nearest beach is a 10-minute drive, and the new Bridgewater Centre in Arklow recently opened its doors with nine cinemas and a shopping mall that rivals the Dundrum Town Centre.
Who would like it?
Anyone who likes gardening, especially people who are into growing their own organic food - eco-friendly sorts or, at the other end of the perspective, 30 or 40-somethings who are looking for a great entertainment space, with "wow" factor. The cottage has been both these things to us, so it can be to anyone who buys it also - it's a real find for Wicklow.
To view
The Cottage, Castlemacadam, Avoca, Wicklow is for sale through McDonnell Properties, Ashford, Wicklow.
Pitch your house
Do you want to pitch your house in the property pages?
Email words and pictures, including one of yourself, to us at property@irish-times.ie
