This is the type of home that sea swimmers dream of.

Perched above the crystal clear waters of Carrigillihy harbour, about 3km from Union Hall village, Mary White’s Cottage is steps from a tiny shingle beach.

Pop your togs on inside and you wouldn’t even need to grab a towel for a plunge into the salty sea whenever it takes your fancy – winter or summer.

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom property and all its breathtaking views of the West Cork coastline have just hit the market with Charles McCarthy Estate Agents… and it could all be yours if you’ve got €835,000 knocking around in your bank account.

Set on half an acre, the house is approached from a private country road. Parking is in the remains of a pre-famine dwelling.

Inside, this is a home that has been tastefully extended and modernised over the years, while retaining all the best bits; traditional slate floors, painted stone walls and timber beamed ceilings.

“Upon entering the pedestrian gate, you step down into the sun terrace and your own private coastal oasis.” say the agents.

“The sensation is of floating high above the harbour with a bird’s eye view of everything going on below.”

There are three reception rooms, a kitchen, study, three bedrooms, one en-suite and a family bathroom, and a conservatory, with picture-perfect views of the sea from all the main windows.

Outside, steps from the sun deck lead down to the shingle beach, a good spot to view the ‘Stack of Beans’ sea stack and Rabbit Island (and a locally recommended spot for digging clams for dinner).

Sigh. We can dream.

If your numbers come up in the lotto, you can find out more about Mary White’s Cottage here.