Too cool for school: Cappoquin conversion with a hint of New York loft for €450,000

The notion of an old school conversion conjures up the image of quaint national schools that can be found dotted around the country. For Cappoquin, it is rather different. This two-storey school dates from the early part of the 20th century and was in its heyday a vocational or technical school. Publicly owned vocational schools – that did not charge fees – were introduced in the 1930s to provide “general and practical training in preparation for employment in trades, manufacturing, agriculture, commerce and other industrial pursuits” as per the Vocational Education Act of 1930.

A plaque on the wall outside the house dates the place to 1934. It was purchased by Tim Manning and his German husband, Louis Zoller, in December 2019. "We were based in Berlin and spent ages looking for a home in Ireland. Louis is an artist, and the light here is just perfect. We made endless trips over looking for something. Then one day we saw the house on the internet and it was a five-minute decision; we knew straight away it was for us," says Manning, who is a retired BBC producer.

Describing it as having been “in a pretty terrifying state”, Manning and Zoller set about refurbishing the house – which was laid out as two “sad, damp apartments” into what it is today – a five-bedroom, 294sq m (3,160sq ft) light-filled home. It has five bedrooms: two on the ground floor and three upstairs – one of which is currently used as a yoga room.

Then there are two very large reception rooms, one on each level. Both have a large open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, so it now the house has two kitchens: "It can be two loft apartments – as there is an additional entrance to the rear – or just one large really cool home," explains Regina Mangan of Liberty Blue Estate Agents, who is handling the sale.

Internally, the staircase would remind you of what you would find in one of the Haussmann buildings in Paris and the two spacious reception rooms give off an industrial vibe, like that of loft-style apartments in New York .

Manning, who was executive producer for Countryfile on the BBC, and Zoller, an artist and film-maker, began the repair and refurbishment of their home, including restoring old flooring and laying reclaimed American pine in lieu of 1970's vinyl tiles. The couple engaged Jim Hale, who repaired the roof at St Carthage's Church in Lismore and Lismore Castle, to repair, seal and execute ancillary works to the roof.

“It’s a great place to live, and we really had no idea about this part of the country. What is amazing is the infrastructure,” explains Manning, adding: “It’s an hour to both Waterford and Cork, and just 20 minutes from Dungarvan, which is a great transport hub.”

Cappoquin, a town of 700 people is undergoing a complete overhaul. Plans are already under way to bring key buildings in the heart of the town back into use as remote working offices, thanks to a €1.6 million budget driven by the Cappoquin Regeneration Company, a volunteer outfit of retired local professionals.

“Having come here just six weeks before lockdown, we didn’t know anyone; but we have got to know our neighbours, and it’s such a great place to live,” says Manning. “We were just getting to really enjoy the place – and we have three dogs here too – but we now have to move back to Berlin for family reasons. It’s a real wrench to go.”

The Old School, a most unusual offering which is Ber-exempt, is now on the market through Liberty Blue Estate Agents seeking €450,000.