Take a Leap straight into history with Providence Manor

BY EMMA CONNOLLY 

THIS Leap house claims to have sheltered Michael Collins in a ‘hidden room’ at some point during its 100-year history. 

With the ‘room’ now a wardrobe, the new owners of Providence Manor can ponder if the Irish leader may have felt a little hot under the collar tucked away in there as they browse what to wear. 

Selling agent Henry O’Leary revealed the secret chamber was discovered in a wide wall during major renovations of the property with a local historian confirming the Collins credentials. 

The stone-built traditional house at Corran, Leap has a price tag just short of €500,000 and is essentially two properties in one, covering an impressive
 3,300 sq foot. There’s the three-bed main house, as well as a self-contained one-bed wing house attached by a corridor. 

The cynics among us would say that would be the perfect spot for when the in-laws come to visit but, joking aside, it would make a perfect granny flat with its own kitchen and mezzanine loft. 

Back at the main house, everything from the floor to the roof has been carefully replaced, but without any of the original charm being sacrificed.

The balance between old and new has been perfectly maintained, with exposed wooden rafters and state-of-the-art external insulation existing in harmony.

Mr O’Leary said: ‘The quality of the workmanship is to an exceptional standard and not of the kind you will normally find on the second hand market.’  

The home has all of the normal bases covered with oil fired central heating, a solid oak fitted kitchen, lots of storage etc. 

But there are some very special stand-out features, depending on what tickles your fancy, including an especially large en suite off the master bedroom, a four car garage and a stove set in the original Inglenook fireplace. 

Exquisitely maintained gardens to the front and rear of the house come with a glass house and hen coop. which add to the overall magic of this home.

The selling agent is Henry O’Leary, 1 Lamb St, Clonakilty, 023 8835959 or see www.hol.ie