Kinsale may be a commuter town to Cork city but it has many other strings to its bow. It is the self-proclaimed gourmet capital of Ireland, the gateway to west Cork and the starting point of the Wild Atlantic Way, which was recently ranked by Lonely Planet as one of the world’s best drives.
And in high summer it’s easy to see its appeal: the harbour, restaurants and independent shops. The place is full of tourists, day-trippers, sailors, cyclists, walkers and many British and Europeans who fell in love with the scenery and decided to stay. They’ve helped build the foodie reputation and added flavour to the creative store of artists, musician and eccentrics who have become such a part of the town’s fabric.
The town has long held a place in the heart of developer Gerry Gannon of Gannon Homes. The house builder, better known for his work in north Co Dublin, has holidayed here for years and is now behind the development of Kinsale Manor, an estate of 136 three- and four-bed semi-detached and detached houses just a five-minute walk from the town centre.
“Gerry saw an opportunity to deliver to the company’s standard of finish – the type and style of house as we’ve done at Miller’s Glen in Swords and Belltree at Clongriffin, Dublin 13,” says Shane Daly, commercial director at Gannon Homes. “The buyer profile is likely to be mainly owner-occupiers; first-time-buyers and traders-up and traders-down in the area.” Those seeking a second home would comprise only a small percentage, Daly predicts.
New developments
Given the harbour town’s allure, there has been surprisingly little new development in Kinsale in recent years. Gannon bought the 17.5-acre Kinsale Manor site in 2008, which came with planning permission for 201 three-storey houses. In 2014 he applied to Cork County Council to reduce the density to 136 units, change the style of houses from three-storey to two-storey and also amend the site layout. The Gannon Homes-built properties – within walking distance of several schools – are two-storey A3-rated houses, designed by Peter Heffernan of Wilson Architecture, with decorative stone sills and front-door surrounds.
Phase one comprises 28 units, all of which are three-bed and semi-detached, bar one detached house. Prices range from €310,000-€340,000 through agents SherryFitzGerald new homes.
There are two show units, both decorated by Angeline Ball of Phoenix Interiors. One has a nautical theme. The other is done to a sleeker contemporary style in muted neutrals. The houses range in size from 110sq m/1,118sq ft to 119sq m/1,205sq ft, have good ceiling heights and, for the most part, a formal sitting room to the front and an open-plan flow through the kitchen-dining-living room. Upstairs are three double bedrooms. The master has a shower en suite and there is also a good family bathroom. There are no sea views.
The standards delivered by Gannon in Dublin have been replicated in Cork, says Daly, noting that the company has employed local suppliers to furnish the laminate kitchens, soft grey wardrobes, tiles and landscaping. All windows are triple-glazed.
Cluain Mara, a scheme of 27 properties launched by developers Mark Leonard and Noel Barry of Centurion Homes last year, sold out earlier this year. Properties in the upscale estate were priced €300,000-€565,000 for three-bed terraced to four-bed detached homes.
Convent Garden, on Winter’s Hill, set on the grounds of a former Mercy convent, launched in March 2016. It includes three- and four-bed three-storey properties and was built by Blarney-based Cumnor Construction. Launch prices started from €250,000 for the three-beds rising to €350,000 for the same properties this year. There are two remaining four-bed properties in the current scheme, measuring 192sq m/2,067sq ft. The asking price is €590,000-€600,0000 through agent Savills.
Cork city is 35-minute drive. Cork airport is a 20-minute journey by car. There are also excellent public and private bus services from Kinsale to Cork.
