Contemporary home in traditional west Cork

Bantry €550,000: The clean sharp lines of Minden Hill have been designed to maximise views of Bantry Bay, writes Kate McMorrow

It's not often you come across a contemporary house for sale in the Bantry area. Estate agent windows in west Cork tend to be full of charming stone farmhouses with a high seduction factor this time of year. UK second home buyers are increasing demand.

Minden Hill stands out as unusual, with its clean sharp lines and expanse of windows, the better to enjoy the sea and mountain views. Property Partners Henry O'Leary of Clonakilty is looking for €550,000 for this four-bedroom bungalow, which is 1.5 miles from Bantry town on the way to Glengariff.

The location is wonderful and tall floor-to-ceiling windows make the most of the surroundings, drawing in the outside and creating good natural light. The139sq m (1,500sq ft) house was built about 15 years ago and given an expensive upgrade by the current owner, who is relocating to France.

A hallway with polished maple floor opens through a glass-panelled door to a huge open-plan living/dining/kitchen area looking out over Bantry Bay and Whiddy Island through a wall-and-a-half of windows.

The living and dining space also has maple flooring and a recessed wall fireplace strikes the right contemporary note.

Sleek white and brushed glass kitchen cupboards have a beech worktop and integrated appliances. A washer and dryer and built-in workshop space are fitted into the utility room off the hall. Next door is a full bathroom and separate guest toilet.

Four bedrooms are at the far end of the house, two with en suite bathrooms. Power showers are in all the bathrooms, while all the bedrooms have maple floors, wardrobes and recessed lighting. Sliding glass doors open from the two largest bedrooms to a crazy-paved terrace. One of the double rooms is currently used as a study.

Outside, a sweeping floodlit driveway winds through mature pines, deciduous trees and well-kept lawns to the front door. There is a large flagged terrace, car port and store house with windows looking west.