Co Galway/€925,000:The home of an architect and tiling contractor, that backs onto the Owenriff River in Oughterard, has been carefully restored and extended, writes Emma Cullinan
The front of this five-bedroom house in Oughterard, Co Galway, is of a traditional design but to the rear, where it overlooks the Owenriff River, is a contemporary, ecologically sound extension.
The current owners, an architect and tiling contractor, bought the house for their own family and later extended it when that family grew. To start with they renovated the original stone cottage, following good conservation practice by restoring the original timber sash windows, renewing the roof with reclaimed Bangor slate and rendering the house with breathable lime plaster render.
They later added the contemporary extension, with a larch rainscreen, that has increased the energy efficiency of the house by 30 per cent to a B2 BER (Building Energy Rating). There is an energy efficient heating system and most of the ground level has underfloor heating.
The light, airy extension, which accommodates the kitchen and dining area on the ground floor, provides a lovely eating area. Family and guests can chill out here, overlooking the rear deck and garden, down to the river (which is home to a rare pearl mussel).
This bright extension helps to bring light into the rest of the house, although the original part retains its cosy feel. One hot spot is the front lounge, with its open fire, quarry tiled floor and bookshelves.
The en suite main bedroom is in the new part of the house and has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the garden and river. Three other bedrooms are on this floor and there is a fifth bedroom on the ground level.
Apart from the en suite, there are two bathrooms, one on each floor. One is a shower room and the other has a Jacuzzi bath as well as a shower.
The total floor area is now 200sq m (2,152sq ft) and the house has a livingroom, kitchen, utility room, five bedrooms and three bathrooms.
The original house is around 160 years old and, being based in Camp Street, is thought to have once been the home of an officer of the local barracks.
The house is for sale through Spencer Auctioneers at €925,000.
