There was a time when my heart was set on living in the West. As a child I was brought on holiday to Connemara and it took my breath away. The Twelve Pins, Clifden, Lough Corrib and Kylemore, the mountains and the valleys were all places of profound beauty that touched my soul.
My point is that when I was young and looking for career opportunities, living in the west was not a realistic option. But times change and the transformation of Ireland over the past 30 years means that things are very different for young people today. Crucially, with the development of Galway city there are better opportunities for people who want to live and work here – whether they be native born or part of the growing tribe of “wannabe” Galwegians.
Recently I was asked by McInerney Homes to give my professional appraisal of two new adjoining developments at Moycullen, to the south of my beloved Connemara and just a few miles outside Galway city. Now, in my experience the vast majority of developments which claim to combine the best of town and country – as these ones do – usually fall between two stools and deliver neither. But I have to confess that Bun na Coille and Coill Árd are stunning exceptions.
An outstanding location
Nestled in mature woodlands, they lie to the west of the village, enjoying an elevated position which affords magnificent views over the surrounding countryside and the enchanting Lough Corrib. Here is a setting that anyone would be thrilled to spend time in. The landscaping is far superior to anything else I have seen, not just in this part of the world, but in all bar a few top-of-the-range prestige developments in the most expensive locations on the east coast. This is genuine, intelligent landscaping which is integrated with layout, not the cosmetic planting which all too often is a poor excuse for a lack of imagination and commitment. This is thoughtful and it works.
The other clear sign that McInerney recognises the quality of this special site is to be found in what it has built here. These are exceptional homes — large, well-designed, bright and spacious, designed by Sligo-based architects Vincent Hannon & Associates.
Bun na Coille
First, let me describe Bun na Coille. This is a development of 89 three and four bedroom detached, semi-detached and town houses. It consists of two linked areas accessed by a gently curving road. The professionally landscaped setting takes full advantage of the natural appeal of its surroundings. Set well back from the road, it is screened by mature woodland yet still enjoys superb views. Here the three-bedroom semi-detached homes have a floor area of 1,100 sq ft.
Something else you might miss: I noticed when I went round the new showhome, opened just two weekends ago, that the shower trays in the en suite off the master bedroom is 1200 mm – larger than you find in most new homes and a nice touch which again shows true attention to detail. The 1,575sq ft four-bedroom semi-detached home really took my fancy. It features a charming sun room extension to the rear which makes the dining area incredibly bright and sunny. The house is on three levels with the fourth bedroom at the top of the house, with four large Velux rooflights affording views over Lough Corrib.
This also has en suite facilities and, if you did not need four bedrooms, would be an idyllic hideaway and living space. I also thought it noteworthy that the en suite off the master bedroom is so spacious that in many other houses it would be large enough for a box room. Also noteworthy is that both the three and four bedroom homes have proper walk-on balconies accessed through French doors from the master bedrooms.
All wet rooms have tiled walls and floors as standard, generous wardrobe space and hardwood doors throughout. The fittings and ironmongery are top quality, I was pleased to see.
Coill Árd
The homes are energy efficient, which is so important these days with the cost of heating. The homes have high spec insulation, and sealed unit double glazed windows reduce heat loss. The central heating is gasfired. To the west of Bun na Coille lies Coill Árd, an exclusive development of just 24 luxurious bedroom detached homes, designed in a variety of unique styles and orientations to accentuate their individuality. These exceptionally large and prestigious three storey homes feature a beautiful stone faced exterior.
The area is further enhanced by public open space with a 1.5-acre landscaped central section that will include a playground.
When the company launched its first homes here last May other developers were asking in the region of €365,000 to €370,000 for three bedroom homes in Moycullen and between €425,000 and €430,000 for four-bedroom homes. McInerney has come to market with a superior product in a superior location and at significantly better prices. On my visit I asked McInerney Homes Associate Director Fergus McMahon what the public response had been to the new showhomes. He told me that there was good interest and he expected that the first 10 purchasers would be in their homes in time for Christmas.
Certainly, if I were in the market for a new home right now this is the one place I would be looking at very, very seriously. When I took a walk around the neighbourhood I got chatting to someone living close by. She told me that McInerney had been at pains to talk to people living in the adjacent estates and were quick to respond to any issue – in other words, they were behaving like good neighbours should, she said.
Joint selling agents: Dooley Auctioneers (091 556868 ) or McInerney Homes (091 770 586 ). Details can be found on www. bunnacoille.ie
