WITH all the recent talk about a chef shortage, it’s no wonder that restaurants like the Custom House in Baltimore, Co Cork, are available for sale or to let. The double-fronted Victorian building on the main street is currently available as a short let between June and October at €15,000 through Skibbereen agent Charles McCarthy. The ground floor has seating for over 60 in three diningrooms and upstairs there’s a five-bedroom flat, so plenty of space to bring the family.

If that is not incentive enough, there is the added selling point of the building, which was once home to none other than Dermot Desmond. He spent some time in Baltimore well over 40 years ago now, when his father was the resident customs officer.

The connection certainly won’t harm trade over the summer, for those who feel like trying their hand at cooking and entertaining.