Great escape to cottage life in Co Laois for €195,000

When the owner of An tÉalú bought her 1930s bungalow, on about half an acre, on the edge of the village of Stradbally, Co Laois, it was in need of serious TLC.

She refurbished the property, maintaining its country cottage style, installing new sash-style windows and adding a half-door to the back. As well as setting up home she also set up a small market garden, keeping bees and rearing free-range chickens. She has drills of potatoes, carrots, parsnips, greens and beans as well as young apple and plum trees. What she has created here is a Good Life set-up that is in walk-in condition.

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The market garden at the back of An tÉalú, where the owner keeps bees and free-range chickens

The name of the house, An tÉalú, translated from Irish means “the escape”. “It feels like my little cocoon from the world,” the owner says.

Higgledy-piggledy layout

Inside, the property has retained its cottage charm and its higgledy-piggledy layout, where rooms lead through to other rooms.

There are three bedrooms; the first is to the left of the front room, a kids’ room with bunk beds; to its rear is the bathroom, a big space with a free-standing tub and separate shower.

To the right of the hall is the sittingroom with a wood-burning stove. There are two doors leading off: one leads to the master bedroom with dark wood-panelled ceilings and dark-stained timber wardrobes; the other leads to the kitchen where there is a gas and electric stove.

The third bedroom is off the kitchen. The decor is simple and in keeping with the design of the original house.

The property, which has an F BER rating, measures 72sq m (756sq ft) and is asking €195,000 through Sherry FitzGerald Hyland Keating.