You may have U2’s Adam Clayton as an upriver neighbour at Kinsale’s 2 The Terrace in super-scenic and moneyed hotspot Scilly — but, while the U2 bass player will have to build his 8,000 sq ft retirement home from scratch just upriver of Kinsale harbour, whoever buys No 2 has to do pretty much an internal rebuild of this waterside wonder.

Now in a very raw state, the c 200-year-old three-storey home is one of five Georgian era compact houses with stone-paved terraces right on the harbour front at this spot long-associated with fishermen, net repair, and catch landings.

Fishing boats moored up at Scilly in Kinsale in 1896. Courtesy Lawrence Collection.Fishing boats moored up at Scilly in Kinsale in 1896. Courtesy Lawrence Collection.Off Lower Road, Scilly, Kinsale, Co. Cork in August 1930Off Lower Road, Scilly, Kinsale, Co. Cork in August 1930A view of Kinsale, Co. Cork in April 1938A view of Kinsale, Co. Cork in April 1938

On either side, and behind, are an increasing number of millionaire mansions, some changing hands for as much as €5m and sometimes getting pretty full rebuilds soon after changing hands to a new coterie of uber-wealthy Kinsale admirers…of which Adam Clayton is just the latest arrival. He sought planning for a seven-bed retirement home removed from the rattle and hum of the Scilly moneyed set at Ringfinnan, just a mile or so over the bridge east of the town and with river Bandon vistas.

At Scilly’s more modest terraced house arrival, you won’t be able to hang up your hat here for a while (or, a sou’wester oilskin cap either) but you can, when all is said and done, hang up your boat on your boundary as among the distinctive features of The Terrace are the derricks, which can be used to hoist small craft out of the lapping waters on these charming homes doorsteps.

Selling the total do-er up is agent Roy Dennehy for the estate of deceased owners the Wood family, who guides No 2 at €800,000, but truth be told after surveys and builders’ estimate it may sell for less. Only joking, it more than likely will make it and more given the surging tide in overseas demand for Kinsale and water views homes.

And, here, you are right in the view, in one of the most photographed settings in and around Kinsale, right on the Scilly Walk, with views scanning Summercove and Charles Fort to James Fort, marinas by the pier and at Castlepark, and every boat that goes into and out of Kinsale harbour too.


The Terrace of five home, two storeys over ground with one lower level, is generally dated to the 1780s and the early 1800s and was originally called Lander’s Terrace, after a local merchant and shipping family. It’s set just to the south of Scilly House, separated by a bed of rock/beach with steps access and running moorings for boats, with Scilly House a 1760s c 5,000 sq ft house on over half an acre, last publicly put up for sale in the late 1990s, still a jewel in the local crown.

At the two-bay No 2 Scilly Terrace, there’s effectively one main room per floor, with the top floor capable of being divided for two bedrooms plus basic bathroom, with generous stairs/landings to the lower two levels.


The mid-ships level opens to a 1980s style pvc conservatory with external spiral stairs to the lower ground/stone terrace/boat derrick, with a lower level reception, plus understairs storage with a red-light, likely linked as a hobbyist’s photo darkroom and to the previous owners’ city-based photography/camera shop.

Getting No 2 pretty as a picture and secure for future decades and beyond will require sensitive conservation works and reconfiguring (it’s not a protected structure) and has heaps of original features, from windows and door cases to the slate hung façade facing the sea and the prevailing winds.

VERDICT: Along with the house, there’s a lofted garage across the narrow road on the Scilly Walk with scope for creating a private garden, storage and possibly more.