A rare waterfront property in County Down has come to market, offering a striking glimpse into private island living in one of the region’s most sought-after settings. For readers following breaking news ireland and high-interest property stories, this new listing on Cross Island in Strangford Lough stands out as an unusual addition to the market.
The detached five-bedroom residence is located near Comber and is one of only three homes on Cross Island, a secluded spot known for its exclusivity and sweeping coastal scenery. The property is being offered for £1.15 million and combines waterside access, substantial indoor space and a long list of specialist outdoor features that are rarely seen together in a single residential sale.
Cross Island listing draws attention in breaking news ireland property coverage
Set in around three acres of landscaped grounds, the home extends to more than 3,800 square feet. Its position on the edge of Strangford Lough gives it open views towards Mahee Island and across the surrounding shoreline, making the setting one of its strongest selling points.
The house includes:
- Five bedrooms
- Four reception rooms
- Four bathrooms
- Large windows designed to capture water views
- Mature gardens that add privacy
The layout appears to have been planned around light and outlook, with reception and living areas facing towards the lough. That design approach helps the property make full use of its island position while maintaining a practical family-home feel.
Marine features make the property especially distinctive
What separates this house from many other high-end listings in latest news ireland property coverage is its direct connection to the water. The grounds include a private stone jetty, allowing access to the lough straight from the property.
There is also a boathouse with tram lines and a slipway, features likely to appeal to buyers with sailing or boating interests. In a market where coastal homes often promise views but not true marine infrastructure, this combination is particularly notable.
These details also reflect the broader appeal of Strangford Lough, a location long associated with sailing, wildlife, walking routes and premium residential demand. For anyone monitoring ireland property news and ireland local news, homes with this level of access and privacy do not appear often.
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Inside the Co Down island home
Internally, the property is centred on generous living spaces and panoramic glazing. The emphasis is less on urban luxury and more on creating a calm retreat that stays visually connected to the outdoors. That is likely to be a major draw for buyers seeking a home that feels removed from daily noise while still remaining within reach of surrounding villages.
Another standout element is a revolving summer house positioned at the water’s edge. This unusual addition offers changing perspectives across the lough and coastline, adding a design feature that is both practical and memorable.
The grounds also include stables and a tack room, which may widen the property’s appeal beyond boating enthusiasts to buyers with equestrian interests. Additional storage buildings across the site further support the home’s use as a long-term primary residence or substantial second home.
Why opportunities on Cross Island are so rare
Part of the listing’s appeal comes down to simple scarcity. With only three homes on Cross Island, sales there are infrequent. In property terms, that level of rarity can significantly elevate interest, particularly among buyers searching for a combination of seclusion, coastal access and established grounds.
For audiences following irish breaking news, this is the kind of listing that crosses over from standard real estate coverage into wider regional interest. It speaks not only to the premium end of the housing market, but also to the enduring attraction of unique homes in Northern Ireland’s most scenic locations.
Location and lifestyle around Strangford Lough
Although the home feels private, it remains accessible to communities around Strangford Lough. Nearby villages offer local shops, cafés and restaurants, while the wider area is known for outdoor pursuits including sailing, walking and shoreline recreation.
This balance between isolation and convenience is often a decisive factor in high-value waterfront sales. Buyers can enjoy a sense of retreat without being entirely cut off from amenities, transport links and social life in nearby settlements.
From a broader ireland current affairs perspective, distinctive rural and coastal properties continue to attract attention because they represent a niche part of the market where lifestyle often matters as much as square footage. In that context, this Cross Island home fits squarely into the category of headline-grabbing listings.
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Key facts about the £1.15m listing
- Location: Cross Island, Strangford Lough, near Comber, Co Down
- Price: £1.15 million
- Home type: Detached residence
- Bedrooms: Five
- Bathrooms: Four
- Reception rooms: Four
- Site size: Approximately three acres
- Special features: Private jetty, boathouse, slipway, tram lines, revolving summer house, stables, tack room
What this means for readers following property and regional updates
While this is not a mass-market housing story, it is the sort of listing that captures attention because of its scarcity, setting and unusual facilities. In a busy stream of ireland updates, homes like this stand out for their ability to combine landscape, privacy and specialist amenities in one package.
The property is being marketed by estate agent John Minnis, and interest is likely to come from buyers seeking a standout waterfront residence rather than a conventional country home. For readers tracking breaking news ireland, premium homes in exceptional locations remain some of the most widely shared property stories because they offer a look inside parts of the market rarely seen by the public.
In short, this Cross Island sale is more than a standard listing. It is a rare opportunity to buy into one of Strangford Lough’s most exclusive residential settings, and that makes it one of the more eye-catching stories in breaking news ireland property coverage today.






