The West Mayo home that makes you feel you have escaped from everyday life
This beautiful one-off property in West Mayo certainly falls into the second category.
Tucked away along a quiet country lane shared by just five homes, it sits among farmland and open countryside, yet is only around 6.5 kilometres from the much-loved town of Westport.
Address: Knappagh More, Westport, Knappagh, Co. Mayo, F28 XN28
Asking Price: €650,000
Agent: Gerard O'Toole & Co Auctioneers
The setting is wonderfully peaceful, with the kind of views, fresh air and sense of space that are becoming increasingly hard to find.
And while it feels wonderfully removed from the rush of modern life, the N59 is close by, making trips into Westport or south towards Leenane and Connemara straightforward.
The house itself is something rather special.
Built in 2003 on the site of an older cottage, it was designed by award-winning London architects and carefully built as a modern take on the traditional West of Ireland home.
It extends to around 220 square metres and is largely arranged over one floor, with the main bedroom tucked upstairs.
From the outside, there is an appealing mix of painted render and cedar cladding beneath a slate roof, while inside it is the abundance of glass that really makes an impression.
A glazed corridor running along the front of the house floods the interior with natural light and creates a lovely connection between the rooms and the garden.
The main living spaces are bright, open and made for everyday life.
There is a large open-plan kitchen and dining room, along with an open-plan living room where a wood-burning stove provides a cosy focal point.
The living space also opens towards an outdoor patio, making it easy to move between the house and garden when the weather plays ball.
There are three bedrooms on the ground floor, including one with an ensuite, together with a large family bathroom.
Upstairs, the main bedroom has its own ensuite and enjoys the privacy of having the entire first floor to itself.
Outside, the property sits on approximately 0.65 acres, with gardens and outdoor spaces that make the most of its rural surroundings.
A sheltered patio sits towards the front of the house, while a gravel drive leads around to a generous open garden at the rear.
A small stream forms one of the boundaries, while traditional dry-stone walls surround the property, adding to its unmistakable West of Ireland character.
And then there is the location.
Westport is one of those towns that manages to combine a lively atmosphere with the feeling of being surrounded by some of Ireland's most spectacular scenery.
The town sits on the shores of Clew Bay, with Croagh Patrick providing one of the country's most recognisable backdrops.
The Nephin Mountains, beaches, forests and coastline are all part of the wider landscape.
There is plenty to do too, from walking and cycling the Great Western Greenway, to golf, freshwater fishing and sea angling.
Westport House, nearby beaches and the town's cafés, restaurants, bars and independent food producers add to its appeal.
The town is also home to major employers including AbbVie, Portwest and Carraig Donn, making it more than simply a popular destination for visitors.
For everyday essentials, there is a local shop, filling station, garage and café close to the property, while Westport itself provides a much wider range of shops and services.
Despite its peaceful rural position, the house is also well connected. Westport has road links via the N5 and N59, as well as a railway service to Dublin, while Ireland West Airport is around 61km away.
Galway is approximately 83km away and Dublin around 258km. But distances and directions only tell part of the story here.
The real attraction is the feeling of the place, a beautifully designed modern home sitting quietly among fields and stone walls, with streams, mountains, woodland, coastline and one of Ireland's most charming towns all within reach.
It is the sort of West Mayo home where the pace of life feels just a little slower, the landscape does much of the talking, and coming home feels like a genuine escape.
Gerard O'Toole Auctioneers are asking €650,000 for this C1 BER-rated, 220 square metre slice of heaven on the west coast.
