Courtyard garden at centre of bright extended cottage

Co Wicklow €1.3m: An unusual two-bedroom house on the outskirts of Glenealy in Co Wicklow is on the market at €1.3 million through Dooley Poynton. Glenealy is a fast-expanding village located between Rathnew and Rathdrum, with a growing number of large detached houses being built within walking distance of its shop, church, school and pub.

Wicklow town is six miles away, and Glenealy is also within commuting distance of Dublin, being about five miles from the N11. Ballyfree Lodge, which takes its names from the nearby Ballyfree estate, is in fact an extended cottage set on three acres of grounds, and for the price, it is modestly-sized with around 144sq m (1,550sq ft) of living space. Most of its rooms overlook a large courtyard garden making it an exceptionally bright home.

It's a house with big airy rooms featuring high vaulted ceilings. The largest of these is the kitchen with its full range of cream-painted units and Aga cooker. French doors on either side of the room open onto patios, while addititional windows overlook the wooded grounds.

The 18ft livingroom has a high vaulted ceiling with recessed lighting, and it too has two sets of French doors opening onto both the courtyard at the front of the house and a patio at the back.The 18ft main bedroom is part of the original cottage on the site, and has a large en suite and dressing area. The second bedroom is good-sized and, like the main bedroom, has oak flooring and original sash windows. There is a large decked area behind the house, and a separate shed that can be used as a utility room.