Siblings’ self-build creates striking €800k home beside Youghal Golf Club
A brother-and-sister duo from the seaside town of Youghal drew on their local knowledge when deciding where to buy a site to build a luxury home.They chose Golf Links Road, an upmarket residential area beside Youghal Golf Club and close to the seafront and beaches. The site came on the market with full planning permission for the home you see here, replacing a fire-damaged dwelling.Planning files show that the then owner sought permission to demolish the original three-storey property after a blaze ripped through it in 2019. The council granted consent in 2021 for a contemporary two-storey design by Tipperary-based DH Ryan Architects.Architect Dónal Ryan noted that the half-acre (0.2ha) site ranked among the “most commanding” on the eastern boundary of Carleton Village, a purpose-built scheme of holiday and permanent homes in an elevated location overlooking Youghal Bay.No 92 is perched high above the town park, looking out towards the bayIn fact, Ger Callanan, who developed the holiday village and nearby Carleton Wharf, retained the site to build a home after completing the resort.He later sold it in 2016 — before it burned down — and the subsequent owner secured permission for the slightly larger, new-look No 92 Carleton Village. He did not proceed with the build, instead selling the site, with full planning permission, to the brother and sister in June 2022. The Price Register records the sale at €175,000.The brother, an electrician, embarked on a self-build, while the sister sourced materials. The finished home measures just over 200sq m and includes several standout features.Chief among them are the large wraparound balconies off the upstairs living room and main bedroom, which is closer to a hotel suite than a standard bedroom.The sea-scanning views from the balconies are jaw-dropping.The large outdoor dining patio off the ground floor offers similarly impressive vistas, overlooking the sparkling bay and stretching towards Youghal town and the Blackwater River as it meets the sea.No expense was spared on glazing. Floor-to-ceiling windows dominate the seaward-facing side of the property and, given the views, anything less would have been a travesty.Full-height glass double doors slide open from the main open-plan living space to the expansive patio. Additional double doors open onto the overhead balconies, shaded from the sun by stone canopies, with similar overhangs providing shade at ground level.Glass balustrades double as windbreaks. The recessed front door sits beneath a canopy supported by a timber-clad pillar.Additional timber cladding adds warmth and texture, while a brise soleil — a louvred solar-shading system — reduces glare on the south-facing glazing. The flat roof enhances the home’s maritime feel.As a certified passive house designer, the architect behind No 92 focused as much on energy efficiency as aesthetics. The home earns an A2 BER rating. Underfloor heating serves the lower level, powered by an air-to-water system.It is a credit to the siblings that they delivered such a sustainable and striking home, particularly as this was their first development project. They opted not to fit it out, leaving personal design choices to the buyer.“If I was buying, I personally would prefer to choose my own kitchen and bathrooms. I’d prefer to have the opportunity to put my own stamp on it. So we decided not to fit it out and to leave the new owner make their own choices,” the sister says.All essential works requiring hard-to-source trades — including wiring and plumbing — are complete. Outdoor wiring is also in place for patio lighting or an outdoor kitchen. The gardens are landscaped and, while the four-bedroom home sits on its own walled and gated site with a sweeping driveway, it remains within Carleton Village, meaning the grounds are maintained by a management company. The annual service charge is €3,600.Auctioneer Brian Gleeson is handling the sale and describes the property as “an exceptional residence”.“It’s a truly special opportunity to acquire a luxury home in one of Ireland’s most desirable coastal settings,” the agent says.Youghal’s Blue Flag Front Strand ranks among the country’s best beaches, enhanced by a popular boardwalk. The recently completed 23km Midleton-to-Youghal Greenway, following the old rail line, ends nearby.Several other beaches lie close to Carleton Village. A smaller strand beside the historic town park is accessible via a pedestrian laneway beside the Walter Raleigh Hotel on the main road below the resort. Youghal town centre is just a few minutes’ walk away.Property prices in Youghal remain more affordable than in many coastal towns. No 92 is on the market with a guide price of €800,000, and given the strong interest during construction, its time on the market may be short.Youghal's front strandSmall beach near town park“It’s like it’s been photoshopped into Youghal,” the agent says of this gleaming, handsome property, which is likely to attract both local and national/international interest.
VERDICT: A stunning option for hybrid workers. Holiday home seekers will love the setting. A high-quality property where the hard work is done — a blank canvas for the next owner.
