A €525k coastal Kerry bungalow with sea views, vaulted ceilings and a putting green

BUNGALOWS often get bad press, caricatured as unimaginative, defined by narrow, dimly lit central corridors, flanked by boxed-in rooms. 

The house featured here upends that stereotype; it’s positively awash with light. 

In fact, the property in Dungeagan, Ballinskelligs, Co Kerry, is the polar opposite of the dingy image bungalows sometimes conjure up.

Open plan light-filled living

“There’s a special karma when you walk in,” says owner Anthony Byrne, who bought the site after relocating to Kerry in the early noughties to take up the role of general manager at Tralee Golf Club. 

The first Arnold Palmer designed golf course in Europe, it’s one of the top 10 links in the country and has hosted many high-profile guests: our own Shane Lowry, and US visitors like Jordan Speith, Ricky Fowler, Justin Thomas.

The 16th hole at Tralee Golf Club at Barrow. Picture: David Cannon, GettyThe stunning backdrop to the third hole at Barrow (Castle), the location for the Palmer-designed Tralee Golf Club.

“I’m originally from Dublin, but I had always wanted a place by the sea, in the south west of the country, and I came across this site in Ballinskelligs around 2004,” Anthony says.

He and his wife Donna had already bought a home in Tralee but wanted somewhere to escape to at the weekends. They hired local builder Tim O’Sullivan for the construction work and a key request from Donna was a vaulted ceiling over the main living space. It worked out well.

Dungeagan, Ballinskelligs

“We used it for summers, Easter holidays, Christmases. We’ve had many’s the party in it – it was a great house for entertaining,” the owner says.

The open plan layout of kitchen/dining/living space was ideal. A large timber deck accessed through French doors catered for overspill and it’s here that the magic of Ballinskelligs Bay is best appreciated. 

There are views too from the impressive, German-engineered Schmidt kitchen, where the countertop was recently replaced by Kerry company An Ríocht Marble and Granite.

 Other recent work included replacing curtains with plantation shutters, as well as laying new floors. Bathrooms were re-done – a wall was knocked in the main bedroom and a luxury shower installed. 

Outdoor diningSchmidt kitchenA wall was knocked to create a luxury shower in the main bedroom

The oil fired heating system was replaced by new German electric radiators. Anthony reckons the time is ripe to install solar panels.

Outdoors used to be a wilderness, but the couple had it landscaped. 

They kept it low maintenance – as befits a holiday home – and installed a treat for golf lovers, in the form of a putting green.

 Anthony made good use of it, as did the couple’s two sons. At any rate, golfers are spoilt for choice on the Iveragh peninsula, when it comes to quality golf courses.

Now that their sons have grown up, the 152 sq m Dungeagan property isn’t used as much and they are contemplating overseas options, closer to relocated family. 

Putting green for getting into the swing at home

Their Ballinskelligs four-bed home is on the market with Ron Krueger of Engel & Völkers and it’s attracting enquiries from Cork and Dublin. 

Mr Krueger says its proximity to beaches (spectacular Ballinskelligs Beach is a two minute walk away) makes it the perfect location for lovers of swimming/surfing/kayaking or simply for enjoying the breathtaking coastal scenery of the Wild Atlantic Way.

“The home offers outstanding potential as a permanent residence, holiday escape, or rental investment,” the agent says, adding that it’s just 15 minutes from both the picturesque sea side village of Waterville and the market town of Caherciveen.

VERDICT: Well above par home in idyllic coastal setting. Expect bidding to tee-off shortly.