Slice of private paradiso at hidden Cork city home

THERE’S a sweet hideaway locational feel to No 4 Lower Janemount in Cork city’s salubrious Sunday’s Well: While front-row homes here with river views can command prices of over €1m and can be seen from many city vantage points, Lower Janemount hides its light under bushels, or behind bushes, behind big, burly built neighbours.

Blink and you’d nearly miss the turn up off Sunday’s Well Road to Lower Janemount, just west of the schloss-like St Vincent’s Church/Retreat House (now UCC’s Music Department) as it’s both narrow and quite steep.

Tucked away up the almost canyon-like lane up steps, and private south-facing gardens, is No 4 Lower Janemount, a c 1,400 sq ft three-bed period home, full of charm and just needing a gentle buff up once more after a few sets of private owner-occupiers in the past 25 years, but more recently rented out.

No 4 featured in these pages back in 2008 when it carried a €550,000 asking price and presented then as a vibrant, full of colour home painted on the exterior in a fuchsia-like purple of mauve and elaborately decorated inside with equally adventurous colours, mosaics, and striking art and craft items.

Back then it was the family home of Café Paradiso founders, chef and author Denis Cotter and Brigid Healy, and their two sons: The internationally renowned vegetarian restaurant they founded over 30 years ago has since rebranded as Paradiso.

No 4 sold in pre-Price Register days, so its price isn’t recorded: However, it shows up on the Register in 2012 at just €140,000 (it may have been some sort of asset transfer rather than a re-sale?) while No 3 features in 2016 at €400,000. Nos 1, 8, and 9 also show as sales since, at prices from €250,000 to €335,000, while sizes, condition and even view glimpses vary considerably.

The most recent, No 1, a very ‘original condition’ home, had an AMV of €275,000, making €250,000, as a do-er up.

Also for sale close by this month are the substantial 117 Sunday’s Well Road/Mentone Villas, a five-bed Victorian semi-d guided at €745k via Cahalane Skuse and the prime viewing spot Weir View, at €1.25m via Sherry FitzGerald.

Estate agent Dominic Creedon of Powell Property is selling the more hidden No 4 Lower Janemount , quoting a €500,000 AMV. It’s had had several bouts of investment in several ownerships but after a short period rented out by relocated owners it needs freshening up, today it needs freshening up, inside and around the back garden where decking, raised beds, and sheds are showing signs of ageing poorly, while apple trees continue to crop well.

The three-bed is full of character, with many original features, especially fireplaces in reception rooms (one with stove) and bedrooms, with lovely stairs, with an internal corbeled arch in the hall, stained glass windows on the return, cast-iron bath in the main bathroom (plus separate shower), along with a kitchen with practical, cook-inspired  stainless steel worktops and hardwood units, and there’s also a rear multi-use room by a courtyard with small Veluxes set in a corrugated steel roof,  possibly down to previous co-owner Bridget Healy’s New Zealand origins.

Windows to the front appear to have been replaced of late, and if so it’s second iteration, as the ones here in the 2000s were similar to those bifold ones in (Café) Paradiso on Lancaster Quay in the city centre: the one’s on the left are again bifold, but are full depth for front patio access, whereas previously they were inside a window seat.

A BER is awaited on this c100-year-old home andPowell Property’s Dominic Creedon says “surrounded by mature trees, this beautiful property boasts timeless charm and endless potential. The spacious home offers generous outdoor space both to the front and rear and has the potential for further enhancements.”

The setting is private, but without open city vista and river views due to its set-back location. He adds: “Whether you’re looking for a family residence or a project with potential to add value, this beautiful property presents a rare opportunity to enjoy city living while embracing the tranquillity of a peaceful setting.”

VERDICT: Slice of paradise found?