With forest bathing, lake and sea swimming, hikes, cycling, walking, water sports, boating, fly fishing, and birdwatching on their doorsteps, these homes in the great outdoors also have great interiors
Being surrounded by nature is good for the soul and the mind. It reduces stress, and you can watch the seasons changing.
Thousands of us don Lycra at weekends, to go cycling, lace up boots to go hiking, or comb beaches.
It gives you the time to appreciate the little things, like seeing fish jump during mayfly season, or a seal popping up beside you, when you go for a dip in the sea.
A walk in the woods is now the kind of nature activity being prescribed by doctors, demonstrating the value there is in living in proximity to these free facilities.
Here are three homes that have all of the above in spades:
Hill hikes, walking and cycling trails, water sports and sea swimming
Address: Cairdre Go Deo, Cooragurteen, Ballydehob, Co. Cork, P81D215
Asking price: €525,000
Agent: James Lytons O’Keeffe 028 28122
(Photos Tom Vaughan)
On the outskirts of West Cork village Ballydehob, gateway to the Mizen peninsula, this stone-built three-bedroom, two-bathroom house has plenty of charm and is perfectly positioned to enjoy its Fastnet Trails for hiking and cycling.
The route nearby takes you across the 12 Arch Bridge, a viaduct over the River Mynach, built to accommodate the Schull & Skibbereen Tramway.
Climb Mount Gabriel for panoramic views of Schull Harbour, Carbery’s Hundred Isles in Roaringwater Bay and, on a clear day, the Fastnet Rock.
Enjoy water sports like kayaking in nearby sheltered waters, such as Baltimore.
The pretty double-fronted house extends to 120 square metres, has an E1 Ber-rated and interconnected rooms at hall level.
The kitchen leads through to the dining room, where a broken plan layout divides it from the living room, which you step down into.
It has beams overhead, a cast iron fireplace and a topaz green-coloured, crushed velvet sofa.
A yellow half-door at the back opens into a utility and on into the kitchen. One of the three double bedrooms is downstairs.
The other two are upstairs, along with the main bathroom.
The terraces around the house are paved in Liscannor stone.
Lake swimming, fly fishing, boating and bird watching in a supersized upside-down cottage
Address: Castle Terry Cottage, Terrybaun, Bofeenaun, Ballina, County Mayo, F26X6H7
Asking price: €750,000
Agent: Sherry FitzGerald
Set on the western shore of Lough Conn, Mayo’s premier fly fishing destination, Castle Terry Cottage is a C2 Ber-rated three-bedroom, four-bathroom detached property that started life as a vernacular cottage but has had a contemporary two-storey extension added to maximise the panoramic views.
This is a sizeable, upside-down house that extends to 194 square metres. Its living room and kitchen are on the first floor to take advantage of the unparalleled lake views.
There’s a balcony off the kitchen where you can enjoy a morning cup of coffee.
The three bedrooms are downstairs, along with a second sitting room. Two of these are ensuite.
Sheltered from the elements by wooded areas, the property extends to about five acres of land, plenty of space to keep some livestock and grow-your-own produce.
A special protection area you can keep an eye out for Greenland white-fronted geese, which winter here.
With the relevant license, you can fish for brown trout and salmon, the king of fish.
A conversation pit and curved kitchen for lovers of large modern homes
Address: Carrownagower, Athenry, Co. Galway, H65X044
Asking price: €950,000
Agent: Keane Mahony Smith
Framed on several sides by Carrabane Forest, this B2 Ber-rated house is gargantuan in size. Extending to 574 square metres and set over two floors, the B2 Ber-rated residence includes a huge eat-in kitchen with curves.
This leads through to a round living room that steps down into a conversation pit.
There’s also a formal dining room, a guest bedroom, a laundry room big enough to sublet and a two-vehicle garage.
On the first floor, there are four main bedrooms.
Two share a Jack and Jill bathroom while the principal suite has a bathroom bigger than any hotel room.
Sybarites will love the option to soak in its free-standing egg-shaped bath or walk out to a terrace where there is a hot tub. Other rooms at this level included a den and a gym. Both could also be used as bedrooms.
In addition to the gym in the house, the woodland offers an easy loop through peaceful trails through native trees and farmland with plenty of birdsong for a walk, run or to forest bathe.
It is located just 4.5 km from Loughrea and 10 km from Athenry.
