The countryside around us is full of empty cottages and farmsteads, some of which have had modern bungalows built next to them, but many of which (like this one), simply lie empty. This one  is up beyond us, totally hidden from view in the fields, and has no electricity. When the elderly farmer passed away, it was still lit by paraffin lamps, and is totally unmodernised, but by the same token, it hasn’t been ‘messed around with’.
It is stone built, with a lime render, and has amazing small pane sash windows at the back. One feature that I particularly like is the guttering brackets made of horseshoes –
There are so many of these little places around that I could probably feature one every day – with a housing crisis, and planning permission hard to obtain in  rural areas, surely it would be sensible to offer them with grants to folk who need the accommodation.I’m hoping to find out who owns this one and get a look inside. It’d be a shame if it is left to become derelict.
I love the horseshoe guttering. Such a lovely cottage I hope someone can call in home soon
Hi Steve. The countryside in West Cork is also full of empty holiday homes (2 weeks a year), empty farm-houses and lots of derelict property.
People (estate agents) have told me that a lot of young people won’t live in the small farmhouses because they are just too small for modern furniture and they want all the mod cons.
Think somebody should do a survey on how many empty properties there are in the countryside. Perhaps it’s also a sign that there are few ways to make a rural living? It’s very sad when you think of all the homeless and people who can’t afford to purchase a house.
It’s a lot to do with perception, I think. Over the last 60 years it has become pretty much impossible to make a living from the land using modern farming methods, especially given the power of the supermarket supply chains. Given the coming massive crisis in food supply, modern agriculture is going to get a shock – no more yield increases, soil erosion, soaring prices of oil based fertilisers, pesticides and fuel.
Small farming supplying local communities with a short supply chain, using permaculture type methods will become far more attractive. Yields using alternative methods on smallholdings are already far beyond what can be achieved using large scale intensive systems.
Giving people the knowledge, and some incentives to return to the countryside, not as weekend visitors but as active participants, building communities back up – that will be the way forward, but sadly it will probably take another generation, and a huge shock to make it happen.
I agree with you about it being pretty much impossible to make a living from the land. The market forces only favour the big farmer and the supermarkets. I don’t think the organic way is an option either because there is too much red tape and it’s far too expensive for most people to purchase or to raise livestock. I think Permaculture could be the answer Steve,but how do we get the education?
Did you see this report on successful land based businesses on small acreages Dave? – http://www.offgridsteve.co.uk/2012/09/small-is-successful.html
There are a lot of online permaculture resources, and many good books – most of it is commonsense, and turning your thinking to a particular way.
There are a good few places in Ireland to find out more, such as Kinsale – http://www.kinsalefurthered.ie/courses/fetac-level-5/permaculture-2/
and the Organic Centre. There is bound to be someone down near you – http://www.southfacingslope.com/archives/575
‘The Earthcare Manual’ by Patrick Whitefield is the best starting point, and I think Permanent Publications do it at a reasonable rate. Its probably the best book there is.
I did read the report Steve. Thanks for the advice. I will order ‘The Earthcare Manual’.
Thanks again.
Watching your posts with interest. We have a small budget and hopes to buy and restore 🙂 Thank you! – Jon in Banbridge
Interesting. So many of these never appear on the market – they simply become derelict and vanish, or are bulldozed to make way for modern bungalows. I’m determined to find out who owns the white cottage above though, so watch this space.
So if you find your dream derelict and work out who owns it, do you just chance your arm and ask? Don’t know where to start, but we have a dream, and plenty of elbow grease. I’d be more than happy to give you some of said elbow grease if it would be useful.
Yes, is the short answer – it can’t do any harm. I genuinely think that a good few of them have been owned by old folk with no family, so they just stand empty, but I don’t know what happens at that point, or exactly how you can find out who owns them. I’ll find out about this white one. You do get them advertised, usually as sites –
http://www.propertynews.com/Property/Ballyward/PNC479504/11-Closkelt-Road/212347391/Page3
This looks so like the house we bought in 1987 on the Trassey Road, except it was 3 bays. No electricity, advertised as a ‘building site’, as they still are now. 20 odd years later it is a ‘listed vernacular farmhouse of great value to the landscape quality of the Mournes’ (a quote from environment and heritage service.) What saved this one from inevitable destruction (“they make great foundations” we were told!) was a combination of luck, madness, and vision. 1) the owner wanted to sell 2) the buyers were not of the ‘follow the ordinary route’ mentality (i.e.’mad’!) 3) We fell in with a conservation architect who was able to work around the petty restrictions and regulations in planning, fiscal and building control that so often mitigate against renovation, The system as it is encourages and promotes the wanton destruction of our heritage. That things are the same now as they were 25 years ago is depressing. It’s great however to see people who still care, and have the vision to do something about it.
I’ve found out who the owner is, having had a chat with his brother. It seems he doesn’t have any plans for it, and would be potemtially interested in renting it out. It has no mains electric, but has a water supply, so would be a good off grid project. Possibility for tenant to do repairs in lieu of rent. I’ll keep yuo posted as soon as I have an update but it might make a lovely home for someone…