Teachers' 'lifestyle' family home was a successful learning curve
Set at Clogagh North, near Ballinsacarthy south of the N71 between Bandon and Clonakilty, the 2,700 sq ft extended dormer home on a lovingly tended wedge-shaped site just now ready to burst into summer glories is a trade-down sale offer on behalf of a family that appreciated the setting, coastal proximity, and links to the ancient past, with UCC student archaeologists and other school groups that surveyed them, likely linked to a burial site.
One of the owners here would have paid particular attention to its significant past, as well as to a nearby 16th century prayer house, as he was the local school principal in Clogagh for many years, now retired and both he and his wife (also a teacher) are downsizing, moving closer to adult offspring.
They are vacating their immaculate five-bed home, extended from a three-bed house down the years, as their family grew, with two kitchens, one with a powerful black Rayburn (very suitable for multi-generational families, guests etc).
It's got bedrooms and bathrooms on both levels, with a library on the landing; apart from the main sitting room off the original kitchen, there's now a feature lofted gable end living/dining room with stove and access to a side patio, one of two. This one includes a glass-roofed screening veranda overhead for all weather, al fresco meals, BBQs and entertaining, both young and old: the vaulted end room became a hub for all sorts of gatherings, games, parties and study sessions, as needs, seasons and exam schedules indicated.
The home evolved on a greenfield, triangular c 0.6 acre site over 36 years, and now is home to dozens of trees species, with a big front lawn, and behind evolved into more niche sections for organic veg and herb beds (the photography here must have been done last summer?).
Down the years, the gardens have been home to hens, ducks, geese and even a pot belly pig called Napoleon, trained by the youngest sibling to even sit, on command.
Hopefully their Napoleon was more benign in its day than the fictional porker Napoleon in George Orwell's chilling classic Animal Farm, and today just two curly-haired dogs are residents of this Clogagh animal farm, with their own house and dog run generously assigned.
Pig out...
Selling agent Majella Galvin of DNG Galvin guides the mix of spacious home, and pristine gardens at €595,000 and says it's a great lifestyle offer, for families of all sizes, with a national school 600 metres away in the village, plus proximity to beaches and hideaway coves around Timoleague, Courtmacsherry and west towards Clonakilty.
The family enjoyed walks, hikes and sea swims as well as fishing on the Argideen river, and there's also proximity to the charming timepiece Argideen Vale Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, with a history back to the 1890s, and ongoing tea days this summer.
Argideen Vale Tennis Club
VERDICT: Clearly a much loved and appreciated home, ready to go again.
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Irish Examiner
05-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Darina Allen: Three ways to try the sublime flavours of Southwestern France
If you're longing for a bit of peace and quiet, it's super-difficult these days to find a place for a family holiday away from the madding crowd, yet with enough activities within reasonable driving distance to keep several generations occupied and amused. Recently, we managed to find just that, almost by accident. We found ourselves in an agricultural area in the southwest of France that I'd never even heard of before called Gers, sometimes Gascony. Apparently, it's one of, if not the most rural part of France, internationally renowned for its fine gastronomy. How about that for a find! It's also famous for its many bastides, beautiful fortified medieval towns and villages. There are no motorways in Gers, no high-speed trains, though you can get a train to the capital Auch — or 'Ouch' as I mistakenly pronounced it. Best of all, there is no mass tourism, and the locals seemed genuinely delighted to see us. We drove for miles through rolling countryside, undulating fields of sunflowers and sweet corn, grazing pastures with bales of hay and occasional Blond Aquitaine cattle. Beautiful allés of plane trees originally commissioned by Napoleon to provide shade for his marching troops. Hedges bursting with yellow broom and honeysuckle, perennial sweet pea and purple vetch… sounds like I'm writing tourist blurb, but I kid you not, this is exactly what it's like! How come I never knew about it before? TRANQUIL There were 18 of us, so we had rented a restored 17th-century château just outside the little village of Seissan, called Château Labarthe. As was the custom, it had its own chapel close by where the bells rang out both morning and evening. So, so beautiful and tranquil. On the first evening, we went to a little restaurant called CRU - Cave et Repas à l'Unisson, that we had pre-booked in the city of Auch. Tables outside under a spreading Judas tree, we ordered everything on the little blackboard menu, typical French bourgeois food and delicious. Every village has a market day, most start early in the morning and finish at noon-ish, but in the Armagnac and d'Artagnan area, they often start in the late afternoon and continue on into the night, finishing circa 11pm. On Sunday we headed for the market in the medieval village of Bassoues, dating back to 1016 and happily coincided with their annual fiesta to celebrate the feast of their patron Saint Fris. The whole community was out in their Sunday best and the village brass band played merry tunes with gusto before the long table feast in the village square. Lots of little shops, another impressive chateau, and a beautiful church dedicated to the Saint. On Monday, we drove 45 minutes to Samatan, a much bigger market, spread over many of the streets in the centre ville, apart from stalls piled high with seasonal vegetables and fruit, ripe nectarines, peregrine and doughnut peaches, apricots, and a bounty of summer produce. Many stalls selling green Moroccan pottery, candles, wispy cane lampshades and tajines. THE HALL OF FAT Among many things, this area seems to be famous for its foie gras and ducks, so we made a pilgrimage to the Halle de Gras which literally translates to the Hall of Fat. Local farmers were proudly selling their prize produce, whole ducks, magret de canards, ducks hearts, and of course, beautiful fresh foie gras. Close by, other farmers were proudly selling a selection of live poultry, chickens, fine cockerels, ducks, quail, geese, a turkey, rabbits, pigeons, even canaries and budgies. My favourite section is where small farmers and their wives were selling their small harvest of homegrown produce, often organic or chemical-free on simple stalls. Little bunches of the rich and spicy local white garlic, dried Tarbais beans, new season onions, tiny Gariguette and Charlotte strawberries, state of the art Boucherie and Charcuterie vans were selling artfully butchered meat, charcuterie and coils of Saucisse de Toulouse and the local Noir de Bigorre pork. Others had a fantastic array of cheeses. We ate steak frites at one of the little cafés on the edge of the market soaking up the atmosphere. The steak was rare and juicy and delicious, possibly from the local Blonde d'Aquitaine cattle, famous for their delicious beefy flavour. We filled our bags and baskets with beautiful produce, some of the famous prunes from Agen, and a fine bottle of Armagnac for which the area is also justifiably famous. Home again, with my head swirling with memories of an area that I long to explore further. Here are some recipes to remind me of the week. Salad of Heritage Tomatoes, Peaches and Mozzarella recipe by:Darina Allen We used huge heritage tomatoes, super ripe peaches and tender buffalo mozzarella – a delicious combination. Servings 8 Preparation Time 20 mins Total Time 20 mins Course Side Ingredients 2-3 ripe peaches depending on size 4-8 heritage tomatoes depending on size 2 balls of buffalo mozzarella 8-12 leaves of basil or mint flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper For the dressing: 2 tbsp of lemon juice or mild white wine vinegar such as Forum 8 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp honey salt and pepper Method Slice the peaches off the stone – you will get 8 pieces approx. from each fruit and place in a large low-sided bowl. Cut the heritage tomatoes into similar chunky pieces as the nectarines and add to the bowl. Tear each piece of buffalo mozzarella into 4 pieces and add to the bowl. Season with flaky salt and freshly ground pepper. Whisk the dressing ingredients together, taste and correct the seasoning. Tear the herbs on to the fruit and cheese and add the dressing. Stir and mix gently, being careful not to break up the fruit. Place on a large platter or individual plates and serve immediately, garnishing with a few more mint or basil leaves if you have them to spare. Agen Prunes in Armagnac recipe by:Darina Allen Super easy to make, serve as a delicious dessert with vanilla bean ice cream or just a blob of whipped cream if you will…also delicious served as an accompaniment to roast duck, goose or pork. Course Dessert Ingredients 225g Agen prunes with stone in (20 prunes approx.) grated rind of 1 organic lemon 150ml Armagnac 150ml sugar syrup (*equal quantities of sugar and water - dissolve the sugar in the water and bring to the boil for 2 minutes then allow it to cool. Use any leftover sugar syrup to make lemonade, fruit compotes…) 1 Kilner jar Method Fill a sterilised Kilner jar with Agen prunes, add the freshly grated lemon rind. Half cover with Armagnac, then top up with the sugar syrup. Seal and allow to macerate for at least ten days. Tarte aux Pomme from Gers recipe by:Darina Allen Use freshly ground cinnamon or mixed spice or sprinkle generously with Armagnac, the local spirit. Servings 10 Preparation Time 20 mins Cooking Time 60 mins Total Time 1 hours 20 mins Course Dessert Ingredients 1 packet of filo pastry (you may not need it all) 50g butter, melted 3-4 dessert apples, e.g., Cox's Pippins 110g caster sugar 1 tsp cinnamon or mixed spice or 1 tablespoon of Armagnac (optional) icing sugar 1 x 23-25.5cm round tart tin, preferably with a pop-up base. Method Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4. Brush the tin with melted butter, cut 3 sheets of filo in half widthways, brush with melted butter, fold in half and arrange overlapping in the tin. Peel and cut the apples into chunks, sprinkle with plenty of sugar (plus cinnamon or mixed spice or Armagnac if using) and toss. The tin should be generously filled with fruit. Fold the edges of the filo back into the tart. Divide another 3 sheets of filo into 4 pieces each. Brush generously with melted butter. Scrunch up each piece and arrange on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour approx. or until the apple is cooked and the pastry crisp and golden. Pop the tart out of the tin onto a serving plate. Dredge with icing sugar, serve warm with softly whipped cream. Note: The apple may be par-cooked ahead, in which case it will take a shorter time to cook. July at Ballymaloe Cookery School Introduction to Seed Saving with Madeline McKeever of Brown Envelope Seeds Tuesday, 22nd July 2025 at Ballymaloe Organic Farm School Join us for an intensive, hands-on seed saving day, led by internationally renowned seed saver, Madeline McKeever of Brown Envelope Seeds. Learn the how and the why at the Ballymaloe Organic Farm School in the midst of the organic farm and gardens where a wide variety of vegetables, fruit and herbs are grown organically each season, Madeline will lead a discussion in her inimitable style on seed security and sovereignty before demonstrating the practical instructions for saving seed of cereals, herbs and vegetables. Plenty of time for any questions you might have. You'll also have a guided tour of the farm and gardens; we'll identify the different crops and plants going to seed at present. Natural Sourdough and Fermented Breads with Darina Allen and Jane Cullen Tuesday, 29th July at Ballymaloe Cookery School Always wanted to make sourdough? Well, we'll take the mystery out of making and caring for a natural starter (levain). Making a total natural sourdough, just four ingredients as opposed to 19-21 in a squishy sliced pan. We'll also make a super easy and delicious rye bread, a bubbly focaccia and a Shanagarry pan loaf, crusty and delicious like it used to be before the new mechanical method was introduced in 1961. Plus, some tips and tricks to build confidence even if you are just a beginner. The Garden Café Truck Great news, the Garden Café Truck has just reopened for the summer season at the Ballymaloe Cookery School beside the Organic Farm and Gardens. Open Tues-Sat, from 10am-4pm, serving delicious coffee, tea, fermented drinks and unctuous pastries and bikkies.
Irish Examiner
27-04-2025
- Irish Examiner
Teachers' 'lifestyle' family home was a successful learning curve
ONE metre high standing stones from the Bronze age are an archaeological feature in the fields directly behind this sizeable, fully maximised West Cork family lifestyle home, a mix both of being off the beaten track, yet accessible to a range of amenities and attractions. Set at Clogagh North, near Ballinsacarthy south of the N71 between Bandon and Clonakilty, the 2,700 sq ft extended dormer home on a lovingly tended wedge-shaped site just now ready to burst into summer glories is a trade-down sale offer on behalf of a family that appreciated the setting, coastal proximity, and links to the ancient past, with UCC student archaeologists and other school groups that surveyed them, likely linked to a burial site. One of the owners here would have paid particular attention to its significant past, as well as to a nearby 16th century prayer house, as he was the local school principal in Clogagh for many years, now retired and both he and his wife (also a teacher) are downsizing, moving closer to adult offspring. They are vacating their immaculate five-bed home, extended from a three-bed house down the years, as their family grew, with two kitchens, one with a powerful black Rayburn (very suitable for multi-generational families, guests etc). It's got bedrooms and bathrooms on both levels, with a library on the landing; apart from the main sitting room off the original kitchen, there's now a feature lofted gable end living/dining room with stove and access to a side patio, one of two. This one includes a glass-roofed screening veranda overhead for all weather, al fresco meals, BBQs and entertaining, both young and old: the vaulted end room became a hub for all sorts of gatherings, games, parties and study sessions, as needs, seasons and exam schedules indicated. The home evolved on a greenfield, triangular c 0.6 acre site over 36 years, and now is home to dozens of trees species, with a big front lawn, and behind evolved into more niche sections for organic veg and herb beds (the photography here must have been done last summer?). Down the years, the gardens have been home to hens, ducks, geese and even a pot belly pig called Napoleon, trained by the youngest sibling to even sit, on command. Hopefully their Napoleon was more benign in its day than the fictional porker Napoleon in George Orwell's chilling classic Animal Farm, and today just two curly-haired dogs are residents of this Clogagh animal farm, with their own house and dog run generously assigned. Pig out... Selling agent Majella Galvin of DNG Galvin guides the mix of spacious home, and pristine gardens at €595,000 and says it's a great lifestyle offer, for families of all sizes, with a national school 600 metres away in the village, plus proximity to beaches and hideaway coves around Timoleague, Courtmacsherry and west towards Clonakilty. The family enjoyed walks, hikes and sea swims as well as fishing on the Argideen river, and there's also proximity to the charming timepiece Argideen Vale Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, with a history back to the 1890s, and ongoing tea days this summer. Argideen Vale Tennis Club VERDICT: Clearly a much loved and appreciated home, ready to go again.
Irish Examiner
26-04-2025
- Irish Examiner
Exploring the world of ‘Normal People' with a stay at Trinity College Dublin
A young, studious-looking man reads a novel in the sun; tourists pile into the atmospheric Long Room library to peek at the Book of Kells; and young women snap photos of themselves beneath blooming cherry blossom trees. Welcome to spring at Trinity College Dublin. Though the 16th-century university has long been an essential stop on a visit to Dublin city, since 2018 it's taken on a specific cultural importance: it's where Connell and Marianne, the characters in Sally Rooney's second novel Normal People, lived out the aftermath of their teenage love affair. When the novel reached the small screen in 2020, the global obsession with the series meant that places where Connell and Marianne lived and met took on an even greater meaning. The good news is that if you want to walk in the footsteps of these fictional characters it's easier than you think. For starters, you can stay on the very campus where the pair were reunited after school. That's how I find myself checking into the gorgeous, red-bricked Rubrics building on the 47-acre Trinity campus. Being raised in Cork and having attended UCC, I've long held an envy of students who lived next to, never mind on, a university campus. But for one night, I get to live out the college experience of my dreams — even if I'm sadly older and a lot more sensible than all those decades ago. What's also enticing is the price: on-campus accommodation at Trinity starts from €91 a night and is available from June-August, once the students have departed for the summer. You can stay at heritage buildings (including the Rubrics, one of the oldest buildings on campus) or the modern Business School accommodation, and even add breakfast at the student hub, The Buttery, if you like. Both rooms and apartments are available. The Rubrics at Trinity College Dublin. Rubrics is where Marianne and Connell met at a party during the Normal People TV series, and where the show's director Lenny Abrahamson lived for a time during his days at Trinity. Other former campus residents include Rooney herself, and author John McGahern. After a reported €12.5 million revamp and restoration, Rubrics maintains its 17th-century charm — including its original stairs— but has many mod cons. To get our bearings we take a two-hour Trinity Trails walking tour (€33.50 including entrance to the Book of Kells Experience), led by a student named Matthew, who's originally from the US. Near the Campanile (a bell tower) on Parliament Square, Matthew talks us through the history of the iconic campus, noting how at various points in its history it didn't accept Catholics or women. Thankfully, today Trinity is a truly multicultural and vibrant university. During our visit, workers are busily erecting a stage on Parliament Square for the upcoming Trinity Ball, the biggest event on the university calendar. This means the paths are thronged with large vehicles as well as groups of tourists, but it feels like Trinity students are well used to sharing their campus. While outside Rubrics, Matthew tells us that the building we'll be staying in that very night was the site of the murder of a Fellow of the College named Edward Ford in 1734. Several students were tried and then acquitted of his murder, and Ford's ghost is said to haunt the area. (Thankfully we do not find any ghostly figures looking for justice later that evening.) Wandering through the impressive campus, with its copious cherry blossom trees, small gardens, tennis court, cricket field, student bar the Pav (said to serve particularly cheap pints), Eavan Boland Library (where Connell and Marianne studied) and many fascinating characters, you can see why Rooney and writers like Belinda McKeon and Louise Nealon have taken inspiration from Trinity. Accommodation in The Rubrics at Trinity College Dublin. Which makes me wonder — where's the UCC campus novel? (Surely there are plenty of stories worth telling from the student centre alone?) The tour ends with a self-guided trip through the Long Room, where only just under 20,000 books remain due to ongoing digitisation. Empty bookshelves are replaced by insightful videos into both the digitisation process (filmed in slow-motion, to emphasise the delicate work being undertaken) and stories of Irish authors like Christopher Nolan. In its own room, the Book of Kells stands under muted lighting that emphasises its preciousness. The tour ends next door in the Book of Kells Experience, which uses light shows and audio tricks to tell a more fulsome story about the library and book. In one scene of the Normal People series, Connell stands gazing at art in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. This was filmed at the Hugh Lane Gallery (founded in 1908) on Dublin's Parnell Square, as was a scene with Marianne and Connell where the gallery stood in for The Guggenheim in Venice. So, no need to hop into a gondola — we take the green line Luas from Dawson St (two minutes' walk from Trinity's Nassau St entrance) and glide towards O'Connell St, from where it's a short walk to the Hugh Lane. Inside, Brian Maguire's exhibition of large-scale paintings brings us face-to-face with the dark sides of humanity. Meanwhile, the much-treasured Francis Bacon studio stresses out my companion, who can't imagine how Bacon worked amidst such a mess, but it gives me the joyous feeling that art persists amidst many circumstances. For a pre-dinner aperitif, we amble back onto the Luas, aiming towards Anseo pub on Camden St, which had a few short appearances in Normal People. Anseo has a low-key, alternative vibe that's welcoming to all ages but feels rooted in the sort of student life that Connell, Marianne and pals enjoyed. Gig posters adorn the walls and just before we leave we hear the thump-thump of a band soundchecking in its tiny upstairs venue. Camden St is a favoured destination for students in Dublin, with its long stretch of bars and restaurants. There's thankfully time for us to have a cheeky but delicious wine in Frank's, a former butchers that has been transformed into a lovely wine bar. Connell (Paul Mescal), Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) in Normal People. Picture: Enda Bowe Further up the road and across the canal is Blackbird in Rathmines, which was the favoured student night spot in the Normal People series (even though in real life it's not a hop, skip or jump from Trinity). It's a buzzy spot for a drink just outside the city centre. One of the other locations that featured in Normal People is the fine-dining restaurant Forest Avenue, which isn't far from Wellington Road in Ballsbridge, where Marianne lived while at Trinity. We plump instead for city stalwart Dunne and Crescenzi, a couple of minutes' walk from Trinity. Specialising in Italian fare, it offers a gorgeous wine list and the best bruschetta in the city. As usual it's hopping, and in one corner we spot Mike Scott of the Waterboys, dining while wearing his trademark hat. Back at the Rubrics afterwards, we find that the double room has a desk, shelving unit, en-suite bathroom and access to a kitchen and living room on the floor below. Painted in light, bright colours and with original sash windows and window shutters, it's a beautiful place to stay. We're awoken the next morning to the gentle chatter of three young students sitting on a bench below the building, sharing croissants. Accommodation in The Rubrics at Trinity College Dublin. While part of Normal People was filmed in Sweden, the good news is that some buildings in Dublin stood in for the city of Luleå, where Marianne goes on an Erasmus year. Which is why the morning after our Rubrics stay we head toward the Liberties for brunch at the Fumbally. It's just a 20-minute walk from Trinity and not far from Camden St. In Normal People, Marianne moodily drank coffee here, but when we arrive the real-life Fumbally is busy and vibrant. Opened in 2012, it's become a hugely influential part of the city's cafe scene, with a focus on fresh vegetables, baked goods and fermented drinks. Its arty jumble-sale look gives it a down-to-earth feel. Marianne would approve, but Connell might find it all a bit hipster (more fool him, if so). Then it's back to check out of Trinity, which handily is located next to the southside's main shopping street, Grafton St. If you want to journey even further into the world of Normal People, locations include Enniskerry, Co Sligo and even Italy. But there's plenty to catch in Dublin, particularly with Trinity College as your base. Though if the opportunity came up to walk in the footsteps of Marianne and Connell on their Italian holiday, I can't say that I'd turn that one down… Aoife was a guest of Trinity College Dublin. Escape Notes To book a stay at Trinity College Dublin during June, July and August, see Rooms from €91 a night. 5 more on-campus escapes: St Catherine's College, Oxford For those who want a heritage stay with a mid- century twist, single-occupancy accommodation is available during the summer at St Catherine's College in Oxford. These Grade 1 listed buildings were designed by iconic Danish architect Arne Jacobsen and are located just a mile's walk from the centre of Oxford. St Catharine's College, Cambridge Similar name, but this time we're in Cambridge. This accommodation is located in a much older building in the heart of the town and is typically used by undergraduates during term time. The rooms also offer showers and en suite facilities, and have gorgeous gardens to boot. University of Edinburgh For a trip to this beautiful Scottish city you could stay in one of the University of Edinburgh student residences, which are located at the foot of Arthur's Seat and on the secure Pollock Estate. Both are within easy walking distance of the Old Town and all the attractions the Scottish capital offers. You can get standard, single en-suite or twin en-suite rooms here. University of Toronto During summer time you can book a short stay at University of Toronto's New College Residence, which offers single or double rooms. This is based at the university's downtown campus, meaning you can handily base yourself there and visit all of the main highlights of the city — like the CN Tower and nearby Little Italy. Porzellaneum, Vienna The oldest student residence in Austria, this is a centrally-located building that opened in 1887. Unlike some of the other options, this is open to students from any of the city's universities — and to guests too. This has much more of a basic, hostel vibe than other options, so is best for budget travellers.
