Harbourside Connemara cottage is a romantic catch

If Harbour Cottage could be wrapped, it would make an ideal Christmas present for an incurable romantic. DNG Martin O'Connor of Oughterard is quoting €350,000 for the 19th century three-bedroom house, one of the few remaining authentic thatched cottages in Connemara. The address is Annaghvaun Harbour in Bealadangan, on the road to Lettermore and five miles from Carraroe.

Harbour Cottage is one of three similar properties, within 40ft of the water's edge and across from The Hooker Bar. Seals frequently bask on the rocks close to shore. All three cottages have been used as summer lets in the past. The current owners have rented out the cottage in the summer for €600 a week. In good order, the cottage has deep-set windows and whitewashed stone walls. A converted loft area serves as the main bedroom. The roof was re-thatched three years ago.

There is a sittingroom with an open fireplace and solid oak floor. A spiral staircase climbs to the loft bedroom. Looking out to the harbour, the kitchen comes with fitted units and integrated appliances. A big sun lounge has French doors to the side garden.

Two double bedrooms are also at this level, one with a pine floor and the other with built-in wardrobes. The bathroom includes a shower, basin and toilet. The large loft bedroom has pine floorboards and is en suite. The garden is to the side and rear; in need of taming but full of very old trees. A grassy area has been created outside the sun-room doors.