Period house enjoys panoramic views

Near Carrigaline in Co Cork, Ravenswood stands on 12 acres of woodland facing south and has a guide price of £1.75 million

Ravenswood, a period house full of character, near Carrigaline, Co Cork, has come on to the market with a guide price of £1.75 million. Commanding one of the most outstanding views within a mile of Cork's fastest-growing satellite town, the seven-bedroom house stands on 12 acres of woodland facing south.

It is in easy reach of the Ringaskiddy ferry terminal in Cork Harbour and Cork Airport.

Built by Ralph Westrop, a retired sea captain, in 1849, it is believed that Italian craftsmen were brought to Cork to complete the elaborate cornicing on the ceilings and the polished hardwood doorways, which are a feature of the house.

They contain the carved initials RW but whether this refers to Westrop or the house is unclear. In the drawingroom, the original owner's love of the sea is reflected in the fireplace with the mantle supported by two ship's figureheads.

On the north-east boundary of the property, Westrop built a watch-tower within line of sight of the harbour where he spent many hours watching the movement of ships. During his retirement he served as Commodore of the Royal Cork Yacht Club.

The house still contains mementoes of the Westrop family's presence. A photograph in the impressive front hall shows him standing at the main entrance to Ravenswood and there are also copies of sketches of the house made by one of his daughters.

The entrance hall is flanked by the spacious drawingroom with south and east-facing windows and the diningroom with south and west-facing windows.

In the inner hall, an imposing staircase leads to the first floor. There is also a library with marble fireplace and corniced ceiling, breakfastroom, store room and tack room with sink.

The ground floor contains a downstairs lavatory, fitted kitchen, billiards room with original flooring, conservatory, laundry room and boiler house which contains the full oil-fired central heating unit. The main bedroom on the first floor has a spacious en suite with shower, lavatory, bidet and sink. As well as the other bedrooms, each of which has an individual feel to it, this floor has a separate shower and bathroom.

Adjoining the house, in an enclosed stable yard, is a converted coach-house which functions as a self-contained unit with large livingroom space, bedroom and fully-fitted kitchen.

All the main rooms in Ravenswood enjoy panoramic rural views over the woodland, which sweeps down to the River Owenabue valley.

During the 1970s, the house operated as a restaurant but its original design has been restored. The agent is Coholan Downing & Associates.