Overlooking the waters of Cavan's largest lake, Lough Sheelin, and named for the elevation of its site, Highfield offers something special.
“It’s more than breath-taking,” says Bridget Dowling, who has lived here with her husband, Eamonn, for the past 13 years. “It’s peaceful and calming, and there’s almost a magical feel. I don’t know what it is, but when we came here, we couldn’t take our eyes off the view.”
The house was built by a Dutch couple in 1993 and has the curved rooflines typical of that country’s architecture. With a relatively straightforward facade, the real drama happens round the back, as the 325sq m (3,498sq ft) building wraps around a sun terrace, accessed from a series of large French windows.
0 of 4
“In all the living areas, from the kitchen, to the lounge, to the downstairs bedroom, your eyes are drawn to the view. The light is tremendous,” says Bridget. Alongside the view, the gardens are well-planted, with fruit trees, hedging, lawns and borders.
High quality
In addition to the large main bedroom on the ground floor, there are three bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs, which can all be closed off with a sliding panel over the stairwell if there are just two of you in the house. Dutch architecture is quite clever about things like this, and the construction materials are all of the highest quality.
A former antique dealer, Bridget had wondered whether her furniture would have fitted into such a recently built house, but it all worked well. The floors in the main lounge/ diningroom are reclaimed hardwood, making the space timeless in style. The kitchen also has a cosy country look, with terracotta floor tiles for extra appeal.
The village of Ballyheelan is within walking distance, so you are in easy reach of a shop, church, creche and school. Kilnaleck is also close by, while Ballyjamesduff and Virginia are 14km and 25km away respectively.
Under-rated
“Cavan is so under-rated for tourism and beauty,” says Bridget. The couple are moving to be closer to their adult children.
“It’s not really on the tourist trail, though that’s growing. And it should be: we have the lakes and Church Island, Lough Crew.”
The house is for sale with Padraig Smith for €400,000.
