Would you like to live in a mansion?

Thelonious Monk · 19-10-2020 3:42pm #1

Every week I see the kinds of properties below listed on the Journal, and commenters below praising how wonderful they are, and I just can't get my head around why anyone would want to live in such an enormous abomination, unless you're a character in Dallas?

https://www.thejournal.ie/the-paddocks-east-cork-5234066-Oct2020/

What are the advantages of living in a massive house like this? It must be a nightmare to keep clean! And why would you want a lawn that big? It's a bit pointless really, surely a few trees wouldn't go amiss.
You also have to drive to get anywhere. These are all over Ireland, including not too far from me in North County Dublin there are loads. I understand you might like the peace of being in the middle of nowhere, but why would a house ever need to be that big?

I just don't get the appeal, is it just me?

Skeetur · 19-10-2020 3:44pm

Exactly. And sure why would you need a roof when you can just carry an umbrella around with ya?

19-10-2020 3:46pm

If i have someone to do the cleaning and lawn mowing then maybe

Foweva Awone · 19-10-2020 3:50pm

My 6 year old is always promising me he'll buy me a mansion when he grows up. I guess it would be alright, so long as he'd buy me a full-time cleaner too!

I live in a two-bed apartment and it's just the right size for me to maintain and keep clean. It's great to be able to clean the whole place top-to-bottom in half a day, if needs be. I rent, but if I ever buy, I'd be happy with something this size. (I don't plan on having any more kids... If I did, obviously I'd have to reconsider!)

whisky_galore · 19-10-2020 3:52pm

More house; more cleaning, more heating, more maintenance, more expense. So no.

They're bland concrete imitations of ancestral piles without any architectural value.

Besides there's usually only two adults and two kids rattling around in something the size of a small hotel, pointless and stupid.

Thelonious Monk · 19-10-2020 3:54pm

Foweva Awone wrote: »

My 6 year old is always promising me he'll buy me a mansion when he grows up. I guess it would be alright, so long as he'd buy me a full-time cleaner too!

I live in a two-bed apartment and it's just the right size for me to maintain and keep clean. It's great to be able to clean the whole place top-to-bottom in half a day, if needs be. I rent, but if I ever buy, I'd be happy with something this size. (I don't plan on having any more kids... If I did, obviously I'd have to reconsider!)

Yeah being Foweva Awone in a giant mansion would probably feel even more Awone!

completedit · 19-10-2020 3:54pm

That's one ugly house, with an even worse garden.

rapul · 19-10-2020 3:54pm

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

Yeah being Foweva Awone in a giant mansion would probably feel even more Awone!

Lol

Odelay · 19-10-2020 3:55pm

Vulgar, the only word to describe that house.

begbysback · 19-10-2020 3:57pm

The only downside to owning that house would be having to live in Cork.

IAMAMORON · 19-10-2020 3:58pm

They can be quite difficult to staff these days.

murpho999 · 19-10-2020 3:59pm

Odelay wrote: »

Vulgar, the only word to describe that house.

Vulgar?

I'd call it more bland and lacking any originality or design.

Boring shape and how much cream can one house have?
Also why have such a big garden with nothing done to it.

I wouldn't describe it as a mansion either.

Thelonious Monk · 19-10-2020 4:00pm

Odelay wrote: »

Vulgar, the only word to describe that house.

Well yeah but so many people seem to aspire to that, I just don't get it. Ireland is peppered with these in every county.

completedit · 19-10-2020 4:03pm

Imagine being fairly well-off and thinking that this is the best way to represent your wealth. I'd buy it and bulldoze it tbh.

TBH, I think it be cool to live in a proper labyrinth of a house with nooks and crannies, huge walkways, cellars, attics, secret rooms etc. but a house like this is just a big version of a normal house. I live in a 3 bedroom semi-d and I hardly use any of the rooms.

sbsquarepants · 19-10-2020 4:04pm

I don't know why anyone would want to live in anything other than a mansion?

I don't live in a mansion, but it's solely because i can't afford one, not because i'd prefer to live in a shed! If i win the euromillions, i will indeed live in a mansion, a spotlessly clean mansion, maintained immaculately by naked, busty brazillian cleaners.

It's my money, i'll spend it how i see fit:D

Frankie Machine · 19-10-2020 4:05pm

See so much of that visually ignorant stuff all over the country.

Frequently with a huge cowshed for a backdrop, and dwarfing the modest bungalow bliss pimples that surround it.

And the decking, and the no back garden, and the yawning lawn, and the kerbing and...

A house like that, when it can be seen from the public road rather than being at the end of a long driveway, is in the wrong place.

Richard Hillman · 19-10-2020 4:05pm

I usually have a gander on Daft.ie on Tuesday and Fridays after I buy my Euromillions ticket. The larger houses seem to need a lot of work. Cleaning, gardening and in general how dusty is must all get.

Yes, I know you can afford a cleaner and a Gardner but it sounds like stress. What if I just want to lounge around in the nip, drinking pints at 9am and the gardener just walks by the window? Sound like I would have to do stuff and I have far too much money for me to be doing stuff.

A nice detached gaff, reasonably rural would do me.

Frankie Machine · 19-10-2020 4:07pm

murpho999 wrote: »

I wouldn't describe it as a mansion either.

Neither would the estate agents.

It's a VILLA, no less !

ednwireland · 19-10-2020 4:09pm

already do !

a very very very small mansion

but its my mansion (not the banks !)

:D:D:D

Church on Tuesday · 19-10-2020 4:20pm

You can only sleep in one bedroom.

Aongus Von Bismarck · 19-10-2020 4:23pm

I've been criticised here before for implying that the average Irishman and Irishwoman tend to be extremely vulgar compared to their European neighbours. That house is a perfect example of that - it's the sort of grotesque monstrosity that is so common in Ireland. I'm surprised it doesn't have a helicopter pad or an outdoor hot tub.

pickarooney · 19-10-2020 4:31pm

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

Every week I see the kinds of properties below listed on the Journal, and commenters below praising how wonderful they are, and I just can't get my head around why anyone would want to live in such an enormous abomination, unless you're a character in Dallas?

https://www.thejournal.ie/the-paddocks-east-cork-5234066-Oct2020/

What are the advantages of living in a massive house like this? It must be a nightmare to keep clean! And why would you want a lawn that big? It's a bit pointless really, surely a few trees wouldn't go amiss.
You also have to drive to get anywhere. These are all over Ireland, including not too far from me in North County Dublin there are loads. I understand you might like the peace of being in the middle of nowhere, but why would a house ever need to be that big?

I just don't get the appeal, is it just me?

It's only got 4 bedrooms so no, I wouldn't like to live there. I'd prefer to have one bedroom per child. A spare room or office would be great but even then I wouldn't go calling such a house a 'mansion'. There's not even a pool.

Mad_maxx · 19-10-2020 4:37pm

No ,much prefer a small house in a top location

Mad_maxx · 19-10-2020 4:38pm

You wouldn't build that house for the asking price

It's cheap

JustAThought · 19-10-2020 4:41pm

Lots of spite filled begrudgers here- I wonder where you all live that you are so bitter and angry about this house? Personally I’d love a huge garden I could plan to fill with bulbs and shrubs and trees - and maybe a heated covered pool - with plenty of space for a few dogs and a donkey or two to potter around in. I think the bedroom(s) in this is fantastic - just the way a master should be - stylish and roomy with plenty of space to hide all the clutter of life out of sight - and why not a jacuzzi bath??? And a couch to sprawl on while deciding what to wear for the day - fabulous.
I love the elegant curved staircase and the downstairs living room - sure its rainy outside but once you shut the door that’s the kind of elegancy and space I’d like to have around me. Room for an indoor gym or training room, a home office, a guest bedroom, a fabulous master and one left over for your hobby room/ crazy train collection/ personal sound recording studio - whats not to like. And a snip compared to Dublin proces and not too far from the sea and an airport - if Covid ever lets us roam free again.

Immortal Starlight · 19-10-2020 4:48pm

My house is 2500 square ft and has 4 bathrooms. I love it but there are rooms that aren’t used much. It’s nice to have the space though.

The Tetrarch · 19-10-2020 5:03pm

It reminds me of The Shining, but with less snow.

IAMAMORON · 19-10-2020 5:06pm

It looks very nouveau.

I can imagine the owners have a local scrubber who calls over twice or thrice a week to hoover, clean up and get the ironing. She is probably a little bit ugly as most nouveau wives hate too much competition. I would say it has a big dirty diesel guzzling 4x4 outside for safe transportation of the brats to and from school. The hubby has a sports jag, beamer or merc , or something else entirely tasteless. Keeps his porn collection in the garage, with his old nails and a Black n Deckar he used once after the lads bought a combined wedding pressie, miserable phucks.

You wouldn't get a 2 bed apt in Dun Laoghaire for that money, you might score a 3 bed in Sallynoggin.

I can see it being inhabited by gormless culchie types who come into a few quid after getting a promotion. Tacky enough.

God help the kids they haven't a chance.

jimgoose · 19-10-2020 5:23pm

Odelay wrote: »

Vulgar, the only word to describe that house.

By no means. Rather elegant country pile, I'd say. Probably not to everyone's taste, but "vulgar" it is not.

whisky_galore · 19-10-2020 5:27pm

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

I've been criticised here before for implying that the average Irishman and Irishwoman tend to be extremely vulgar compared to their European neighbours. That house is a perfect example of that - it's the sort of grotesque monstrosity that is so common in Ireland. I'm surprised it doesn't have a helicopter pad or an outdoor hot tub.

Quite right.
Irish towns and countryside are ruined with ugly development. Things like this stick out like sore thumbs on otherwise pleasing rural landscape.

I'm guessing it has the oversized faux stone clad entrance with security gates and long drive worthy of Southfork.

Jaysus Christ. · 19-10-2020 5:29pm

Ya can’t beat an aga.

jimgoose · 19-10-2020 5:30pm

Jaysus Christ. wrote: »

Ya can’t beat an aga.

Woman is obsessed with Agas. As far as I'm concerned an Aga is a big pig-iron box with a coal fire under it. :pac:

D3V!L · 19-10-2020 5:31pm

Well this is a little awkward.....

That's actually my house for sale in the OP.

theteal · 19-10-2020 5:39pm

How can a house that big only have 4 bedrooms??? My 4 bed house is probably less than half the size.

I have this possibly weird, dislike for wasted space. If a room is way bigger than it needs to be I feel uncomfortable. I hate large bedrooms (possibly a consequence of growing up in a 1950s box room) like the one pictured. That kitchen isn't a bad size but the styling wouldn't be to my taste.

19-10-2020 5:40pm

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

Every week I see the kinds of properties below listed on the Journal, and commenters below praising how wonderful they are, and I just can't get my head around why anyone would want to live in such an enormous abomination, unless you're a character in Dallas?

https://www.thejournal.ie/the-paddocks-east-cork-5234066-Oct2020/

What are the advantages of living in a massive house like this? It must be a nightmare to keep clean! And why would you want a lawn that big? It's a bit pointless really, surely a few trees wouldn't go amiss.
You also have to drive to get anywhere. These are all over Ireland, including not too far from me in North County Dublin there are loads. I understand you might like the peace of being in the middle of nowhere, but why would a house ever need to be that big?

I just don't get the appeal, is it just me?

I’d hate a big cold soulless hole like that. One more bedroom than you need, a utility room, a good big shed, and no garden. Perfection.

JustAThought · 19-10-2020 5:48pm

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

I’d hate a big cold soulless hole like that. One more bedroom than you need, a utility room, a good big shed, and no garden. Perfection.

Mountjoy - precision designed for you.

Jaysus Christ. · 19-10-2020 5:49pm

I could see myself holding midweek soirée there.
And swinger parties at the weekends.

cannotlogin · 19-10-2020 6:14pm

I'll take it if no one else wants it but won't be paying the amount to live in any house in Cork.

Frankie Machine · 19-10-2020 6:31pm

JustAThought wrote: »

Lots of spite filled begrudgers here- I wonder where you all live that you are so bitter and angry about this house?

Well, some of us live in the countryside, where so much of this architectural inappropriateness abides like sore thumbs.

I wonder where you live that you are so spiteful about people who may simply be more sympathetic to their surroundings than yourself, or may simply have different taste ?

Fwiw, I live in a five-bed house in the country, with amazing views across the surrounding hillsides, on an acre whose levels my better half has landscaped very pleasingly indeed.

So it doesn't look like that, and it didn't cost that either. Or anything like it.

IAMAMORON · 19-10-2020 6:32pm

cannotlogin wrote: »

I'll take it if no one else wants it but won't be paying the amount to live in any house in Cork.

You couldn't pay me to live there either.

Frankie Machine · 19-10-2020 6:33pm

Jaysus Christ. wrote: »

I could see myself holding midweek soirée there.
And swinger parties at the weekends.

I have a sheet with holes in it, and a fruitbowl for car keys.

Count me in.

For the weekends.

Jaysus Christ. · 19-10-2020 6:58pm

Frankie Machine wrote: »

I have a sheet with holes in it, and a fruitbowl for car keys.

Count me in.

For the weekends.

The sheet with holes in it is for the kkk meetings.
Tuesdays 7.30pm.

Frankie Machine · 19-10-2020 7:11pm

Jaysus Christ. wrote: »

The sheet with holes in it is for the kkk meetings.
Tuesdays 7.30pm.

tonycascarino · 19-10-2020 7:15pm

I know a builder and a farmer who are 460000 and 525000 euros in debt respectively with houses like that one so I am not really surprised to see this kind of a house for sale.

It is nearly always the same end result with these newer built houses from ''owners'' with big ideas who probably couldn't really afford it in the first place.

pgj2015 · 19-10-2020 7:17pm

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

Well yeah but so many people seem to aspire to that, I just don't get it. Ireland is peppered with these in every county.

I know a guy who is as tight as you can get, he built a house like this one though, apparently he built it so big because his in laws have a big house, so he had to build a bigger one. very sad to be like that in fairness. he doesn't seem to have any money now because the house cost him so much to build, he is literally living on bread and water now it seems.

Odyssey 2005 · 19-10-2020 7:19pm

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

Every week I see the kinds of properties below listed on the Journal, and commenters below praising how wonderful they are, and I just can't get my head around why anyone would want to live in such an enormous abomination, unless you're a character in Dallas?

https://www.thejournal.ie/the-paddocks-east-cork-5234066-Oct2020/

What are the advantages of living in a massive house like this? It must be a nightmare to keep clean! And why would you want a lawn that big? It's a bit pointless really, surely a few trees wouldn't go amiss.
You also have to drive to get anywhere. These are all over Ireland, including not too far from me in North County Dublin there are loads. I understand you might like the peace of being in the middle of nowhere, but why would a house ever need to be that big?

I just don't get the appeal, is it just me?

Peasant

Mister Vain · 19-10-2020 7:22pm

Fecking sure I would. More room to shoot pornos.

bb1234567 · 19-10-2020 7:28pm

What bothers me most about these developments is the aversion to forming any kind of coherent streetline or contributing towards creation of any kind of urban community for people to rely on and partake in.

Set back a ****in mile from the road (so you can praise it in all it;s beauty on your trek up the front door), set so far back they don't even have room for a garden in the example in the OP and instead a useless enormous sterile front garden. I dont get it but irrational planning and design logic is what defines these kind of housing developments so no surprise

Howver the interior of the particular example posted is not the worst. At least it's not cluttered with crap nor does it have an overly deep floor plan, it is pretty bright and feels generous in the room proportions without being overwhelmingly large and lost in space

Seamai · 19-10-2020 7:32pm

Watched Dermot Bannon in Canada last night, I have little interest in seeing the houses of the rich and famous. Most of the houses on last night did little for me except the setting of the first one and the log cabin with the extension at the end of the programme. On an earlier trip to Sweden he was introduced to the concept of "Lagom" (just enough) which resonated with me a lot, it's all about not going over the top building a house bigger or flashier than needed but with emphasis on comfort and cosiness.

pgj2015 · 19-10-2020 7:35pm

Not a tree or shrub plated on this huge site, shows you the kind of muck savage that lives there. no appreciation for nature.

Strumms · 19-10-2020 7:39pm

bluewolf wrote: »

If i have someone to do the cleaning and lawn mowing then maybe

Exactly If you have staff which you could do if you could afford that gaff then you wouldn’t have to lift a finger.

I’d just have them in on say Mondays and Thursday to do a deep clean inside... it’s happy days. Everything else and in between I’d do...

Garden I’d take care of myself, ride on mower. Kill an hour.

Would you like to live in a mansion?

Comments