THOSE for whom the sea is both a balm and a playground will fall head-over-heels for Dúneen, a shoreline-hugging home in Kinsale’s Summercove, where saltwater spray will curl your hair faster than a Dyson Airwrap.

The singularity of the site Dúneen is on was not lost on Úna Crosbie, who made a bold play for it when aged just 19, long before the house itself was built. Back then it was more summer shack than permanent dwelling, and when Úna bought it, she had no real plan for how or when she might develop it. Her motivation was simply to secure the site for future use.

Shore-hugging DúneenShore-hugging DúneenBulman pub to the left, Charles Fort to the rightBulman pub to the left, Charles Fort to the right

Despite her tender age at the time of her first foray into the febrile world of real estate, the teenager knew what she was doing as the Crosbies — former owners of the Cork Examiner, now the Irish Examiner — are keen sailors and have a long association with Kinsale and particularly Summercove. 

The plot in question had been used for summer accommodation by successive family members over two generations, going back as far as Commander George Crosbie, who served with the Irish Naval Service in the Second World War.

“When my grandfather had it, there was always a little ladder so they could lower themselves down for a swim in the sea,” Úna says. 

These days, access is less risky: a door in the wall at the seaward side has private access to steps, with a handrail for added safety. For thrill seekers, there’s even a diving board (and private jetty).

Come high tide, you’ll find Úna enjoying the daily ritual of an invigorating sea swim. It’s one of the perks of a home right above the shoreline, which despite its proximity to the coast, has never flooded.

The wall protects it from everything. It’s like a fort. I spent Storm Ophelia here and while people might think we get blasted, we don’t

The robustness of the site fed into the house name, Dúneen, meaning Little Fort, which is a nod also to the famous historical landmark in its backyard, namely the massive 17th century fortress known as Charles Fort. On the headland right above Summercove, it was built to guard the mouth of Kinsale Harbour from the threat of foreign invaders. Nowadays, foreign ‘invaders’ are welcomed with open arms as the fort — a managed heritage site — is recognised as one of the most striking landmarks in Co Cork and one of Ireland’s best-preserved military fortifications. 

Charles FortCharles Fort

Visitors can walk the broad ramparts while enjoying sweeping harbour views across Kinsale and out into the Atlantic.

Back down the hill in Dúneen, visitors were also welcomed with open arms to a home where catering was an art form. 

Country-style kitchenCountry-style kitchen

Úna, who spent a lifetime working in hospitality, says she “knew exactly what I wanted when we were designing the house, which was a big, farmhouse kitchen, and everything else followed from there”, including a pantry and a utility, for washing off sea spray after a dinghy ride, or for hanging wetsuits and dry robes.

It was great hub for entertaining, helped along by an Aga and a six-ring John Lewis gas hob, with striking wall art in the dining area adding to the party mood.

“My mum had a beautiful collection of classical records that I didn’t want to get rid of, so I hung them on the wall instead,” the owner says.

The wall art is reflective of Úna’s distinctive taste, which is also reflected in the house itself. Built 35 years ago by herself and her husband, it was designed on their behalf by a shipwright and his architect wife.

“I worked in a ski chalet when I was younger and I wanted that look. I wanted wooden cladding, a bit like the pavilion homes along the Thames,” she says.

There was a “kind of summer shack” on the site at the time and they extended that in various directions.

It took a while to get it through the planning process — they had to wait a while for an upstairs room, which is now the main en suite bedroom with double doors to a roof terrace.

“The views are sensational in the evening time, because the house is west-facing,” Úna says. You don’t have to traipse through the main bedroom to reach the terrace — external wrought iron steps lead up from ground floor level. Or you can stay downstairs and get the same outlook from the veranda off the cosy sitting room, warmed in winter by a combi stove. 

The interplay of weather, light, and tide is mesmerising. Standing at the kitchen sink is more a blessing than a chore, as is sitting at the breakfast counter, where every sail that flutters in Kinsale drifts into view.

All of the main living accommodation in the three-bed home faces seaward, except for the downstairs back bedroom. Even the view from there is towards a well-known Kinsale landmark — less monument than much-loved social hub. 

Picture: Larry CumminsPicture: Larry Cummins

The Bulman pub is as much part of the fabric of Summercove as Charles Fort, and possibly even predates it, not in its current form, but as a small inn.

“Everyone knows the orange pub on the water,” says Úna and for sure it’s mighty busy this time of year, as is the town of Kinsale itself with its pretty streetscape and fine restaurants and safe beaches to swim at.

It’s a big wrench to sell up, but with family reared and mainly overseas, Úna plans to downsize locally.

“It’s a very special place and anyone who views it will see that. It’s wild in winter but very safe. It’s fabulous in summer, especially if you are sea oriented. Summercove has always been very special,” she says.

Johnny O’Connor of Barry Auctioneers is handling the sale of Dúneen and most of the interest so far is from overseas, mainly the USA. Two parties have had architects call on their behalf without having viewed it themselves.

Dúneen, Summercove, KinsaleDúneen, Summercove, Kinsale

Mr O’Connor says it’s a unique site — with off street parking — and scope to extend sideways or to go up. “It’s protected almost as much as Charles Fort, so there are no issues with flooding,” he says, adding the quip that “anyone who likes sandy toes and salty kisses should buy this property”.

His guide price for the 126sq m three-bed is €1.595m, but it is Kinsale, where prices are driven as much by location and views as by square footage. Earlier this year Charles Cottage, a 136sq m, two storey, streetside three bed, on the town side of The Bulman, with more garden but lesser views than Dúneen, sold for just over €1m, while a terraced renovated two storey closer to The Bulman, with upstairs views, sold for €1.104m last year.

VERDICT: A 19-year-old’s foresight guaranteed her a lifetime of stunning sea views which nothing will ever interrupt, bar the occasional superyacht. Lovers of the coast will adore Dúneen’s location, just above the shoreline, in naturally beautiful Summercove.