There is an abundance of space in Kinelea House outside Ballyfeard in Co Cork – 511sq m to be precise.
Designed by architects Deady Gahan, the lavish property sits on two acres of gardens designed by the Pavilion Garden Centre in Ballygarvan. "The views are just amazing," says owner Margaret Shine, chief executive of SRL, the sensory research company based in Cork city.
“When they were installing the kitchen window, I made them hang it upside down – so the openings would not deter from the vistas, and there and then we decided an island was necessary, so we could enjoy the views while having breakfast.”
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Joiner Andrew Mullane added an island to the country kitchen he was designing for the family, which houses high-end appliances and Crema Marfil flooring. Mullane also built the impressive dressing room suite for the master bedroom. Shine engaged Andy Kelly, the legendary carpenter, to create the solid staircase and neo-Georgian front door for the property.
It was Kelly's last staircase before he retired – his work also includes a staircase for Michael Flatley at Castlehyde. The property, 7km from Carrigaline, has seven bedrooms in total but Shine changed one into a gym.
Attention to detail, light and space are what makes Kinelea House special. While it is a very spacious house, rooms are not so large they feel cold and uninviting.
Attention to detail is in the craftsmanship throughout and so is future-proofing – the house is smart-wired for lighting, heating and surround sound. Even the gardens have hidden speakers.
Based in UCC, Shine says her commute in the mornings is about 25 minutes, and the property is also just seven minutes’ drive from Robbers Cove for summer swims.
She and partner Fergus Madden are downsizing, as their children have grown up. They have placed their home on the market through agents Keane Mahony Smith and James Murphy & Co with an asking price of €695,000.
