Nestled in the foothills just south of Cork city, Larkspur Lodge holds a special place in the hearts of the O’Brien family. Built in 1975, this architect-designed home offered a coveted escape from city life for TCC O’Brien, his wife Anne, and their three daughters, Miriam, Caroline, and Avril.
The move from a three-bedroom semi-detached house in douglas to the sprawling acre of land at Spur Hill, above Dougclonye, was a dream come true for the girls, who where passionate about ponies and horses. The property provided ample space for grazing and stables, allowing them to enjoy leisurely hacks up and over Spur Hill to Ballinhassig.
The O’Brien family was well-known in Cork. Tom (TCC) O’Brien, the youngest of a large family with roots in east Cork and west Waterford, opened a shop, T.C.C. O’Brien, on MacCurtain Street in the 1950s. “He had a great rapport with his customers,” recalls Miriam. “I remember him telling me stories about Hadji Bey, the confectioner famous for his Cork Turkish Delight, who had a shop right across the street.”
Over the years, the family expanded their business, opening a second T.C.C. O’Brien’s in the Southside Shopping Centre in Togher. As time passed, maccurtain Street transformed, shifting from two-way to one-way traffic and back again. The T.C.C. O’Brien shops eventually closed, and the family’s lifestyle evolved. Horses gave way to smaller dogs, and eventually, a cat became Anne’s constant companion until her passing in 2021.
“Mum loved Spur Hill and she loved Larkspur, so she planted it all around when we moved,” says Miriam, who now lives in Perth, Australia. “Of course, the horses ate them all, so we had to plant all over again.”
Now, after decades of cherished memories, the O’Brien family has made the tough decision to sell larkspur Lodge. “It’s time for Larkspur to move on too,” admits Miriam. Caroline,who lives in Ireland,agrees. their younger sister, Avril, a talented artist, sadly passed away in her mid-20s.
As Larkspur Lodge prepares to welcome a new chapter, the memories of laughter, love, and the joy of country living will forever remain etched in the hearts of the O’Brien family.
A charming brick-faced dormer home in Cork, Ireland, known as Larkspur Lodge, has recently hit the market with an asking price of €575,000.The property, boasting 1,650 square feet of living space, is already generating critically important interest, according to estate agent Áine McLoughlin of AML Property Services.
McLoughlin reports that second viewings are already underway, with potential buyers drawn to the property’s spacious layout and desirable location. “It’s under early offers in the mid-€500ks, and AML are getting requests for viewings over the christmas period from intending native returnees,” she said.
the property is attracting a diverse range of buyers, including those seeking more space in the suburbs, professionals working at the nearby Cork University Hospital (CUH), and even commuters who appreciate the easy access to the N40 city ring road.
Larkspur Lodge has been a cherished family home for the past 50 years. It features an attached garage, a sunroom, and outbuildings, some of wich were formerly stables. The property sits on an acre of land, offering stunning views of the Lee Valley and the western part of the city.
While the property has been well-maintained, McLoughlin acknowledges that it is “understandably on the dated side decoratively.” ”Horses for courses?” she quips, suggesting that the property’s charm and potential will appeal to buyers looking for a project.
With its prime location on the city fringes, spacious grounds, and paddock, Larkspur Lodge is sure to attract significant interest from a variety of buyers.
## The End of an Era: An Interview About Larkspur Lodge
**World-Today-News Exclusive:** For decades, Larkspur Lodge nestled in the scenic foothills south of Cork City has held a special place in the hearts of the O’Brien family.
As the family has decided to sell this beloved homestead, World-Today-News sat down with Miriam O’Brien, who now resides in Australia, to delve into the tapestry of memories woven within its walls and the bittersweet decision to let it go.
**World-Today-News:** Miriam, thank you for sharing your story. Larkspur lodge sounds like more than just a house; it sounds like a place filled with cherished family history.
**Miriam:** It truly is. Larkspur was built in 1975, a dream come true for my parents, Tom and Anne, and for my sisters, Caroline and Avril, and me.We moved from a smaller house in douglas to this sprawling acre of land, a true paradise for us girls who where passionate about horses.
**World-Today-News:** It seems like those early years were especially idyllic, filled with the freedom of horseback riding and the joy of living in the countryside.
**Miriam:** Absolutely! We had ample space for stables and grazing, allowing us endless hours of exploration on horseback, riding up and over Spur Hill to Ballinhassig. Those were truly magical times.
**World-Today-News:** Larkspur Lodge is more than just a family home; it’s also connected to your family’s legacy in Cork City through the T.C.C. O’Brien shop.
**Miriam:** Yes, my father, Tom, opened his shop on maccurtain Street in the 1950s and was known for his warm relationship with his customers.
It was fascinating watching MacCurtain Street evolve over the years, from a two-way street to one-way and back again. The city changed, and so did our lives. We closed our shops eventually, horses made way for smaller pets, and eventually, our Mum found solace in her garden and the companionship of her cat.
**World-Today-News:** Larkspur Lodge flowed with life and change, reflecting your family’s growth and evolution.
**miriam:** Precisely.mum loved the countryside and planted lovely gardens around Larkspur. I remember the horses eating everything she planted, so we had to start all over again!
**World-Today-News:** The decision to sell larkspur after all these years must be a difficult one.
**Miriam:** It undoubtedly is. My sisters and I have such incredible memories here.however, it’s time for larkspur to embark on a new chapter. Our younger sister, Avril, sadly passed away in her twenties, leaving a void in our hearts. Caroline still lives in Ireland, but we all felt that it was time for a new family to create their own memories within these walls.
**World-Today-News:** There’s a certain beauty in knowing that Larkspur Lodge will continue to be a place of joy and warmth for another family.
**Miriam:** Yes,absolutely. We hope whoever purchases Larkspur will cherish it as much as we have. The memories we made here will always be a part of who we are.
