Hoping to pack your bags for a stay in the city this summer?

Cork is teeming with excellent hotels, but if it’s something a little more unusual you’re after, there’s a brand new hideaway near UCC that’s simply oozing with character.

Owner Tadgh Murphy has just listed his beautifully renovated Victorian townhouse on Airbnb and it’s fully loaded with everything you need for a long-awaited family reunion once restrictions allow.

With four bedrooms (a master ensuite and three spacious double rooms with stunning views of the city and college campus) the home is artfully decorated with vintage finds.

“This house belonged to my granny and became a seven-bedroom student house for 30 years so we have kept some of that legacy,” Tadgh told Yay Cork.

“The original doors remain with room numbers and old locks. The living room has the original Victorian features as well as a family heirloom oxblood Chesterfield set. The burlwood sink unit was originally my grandmother’s writing desk.”

Vintage finds

The floor of the back bedroom has been partially removed to create a mezzanine over the library making it a 20-foot high space.

A stained glass wall conceals a utility room and downstairs toilet where the floor is made from old copper coins dating back to 1917.

Salvaged stained glass allows light to flood through the internal spaces from morning to evening, while floor-to-ceiling bookshelves line the south-west facing library, accessed through glass sliding doors (a DoneDeal find).

The turquoise clubman chairs (found at a second-hand furniture warehouse) are just calling out for guests to cosy up with a good book and a glass of wine, while the large sitting room and double-height lounge leads onto a patio with great afternoon light.

There’s a brand new hunter green kitchen with a custom copper island to enjoy breakfast or cocktails on and a spacious dining area with seating for eight.

Marble top vintage washstands were upcycled for the sinks, while upstairs, a new dormer roof with new black windows offers a panoramic view of the city.

We think this would make a magical base for exploring all of Cork’s many alfresco dining and drinking options during the warmer months. You can book the townhouse (two-night minimum) from €550 per night here.