City to Country: Renovated Dublin 14 mid-terrace or rural escape in €345k West Cork farmhouse

The owners of this three-bed mid-terrace house at 57 Orwell Gardens near Rathgar village in Dublin 14 have done a lot of upgrading and redecorating since buying the property in 2015.

“It’s tastefully decorated and presented and has a modern kitchen which was fitted in 2019 and a contemporary bathroom which was renovated in 2018,’’ says Orla Buckley of DNG Terenure who is seeking offers of €575,000.

The property’s 70 sq metres of accommodation includes a front living room with a fireplace as well a dining room at the rear adjoining a modern kitchenette with cream units.

The upper floor has a bathroom as well as three bedrooms, two doubles and a single.

Fitted with double glazing and gas central heating the property has an E1 BER.

To the front, it has one off-street parking space and to the rear an enclosed lawned garden with a patio by the end wall.

Ms Buckley says it’s the location, a little over 1km from Rathgar village and three km from Dundrum Town, which is the key attraction.

“It’s in a quiet residential cul de sac which is popular with young families and is close to the Dodder River and Dodder Park,” she says adding that it’s within a 15-minute walk from Luas stops at Milltown and Windy Arbour.

Recent sales in Orwell Gardens include that of the house next door, No 58 which went for €490,000 last month.

VERDICT: Expected to attract both downsizers and young couples.

New to the market with a guide of €345,000, this renovated farmhouse at Dromourneen is located within a 10-minute drive of Bantry and Durrus and a 20-minute one from Ballydehob and Skibbereen.

“It’s a three / four-bed house with a site of almost three-quarters of an acre and excellent space for a family,” says auctioneer Olivia Hanafin of Sherry FitzGerald O’Neill explaining that the 19th-century property was extended and renovated by current owners around 20 years ago.

It has 188 sq metres of living space including a south-facing sunroom, she reveals adding that the property has a variety of outbuildings including a double garage/ workshop which could be put to a variety of uses.

Other ground-floor accommodation includes a living room with a stone fireplace and a stove, a dining room, a kitchen, and a guest WC as well as a bathroom, a small study, and a bedroom.

On the first floor, there are two bedrooms including one being used as a TV room and one with an en suite while the second floor has a bedroom with a WC.

Fitted with double glazing and oil-fired heating the old farmhouse has a D1 BER.

Ms Hanafin says that a trading-up family will appreciate the amount of space on offer and the property’s proximity to schools, shops, and amenities in Bantry, Drimoleague, Dunmanway and Skibbereen and also to the West Cork coast.

VERDICT: Offers space and tranquillity in the West Cork countryside.

The owners of 25 Blenheim Heights in Waterford have situated a hot tub at the highest point of their garden which allows them to soak, relax and admire the views of Kings Channel and the river.

To give themselves the additional option of snacking, they have also built a pizza oven alongside it.

The three-bed detached bungalow at Blenheim Heights, 8km from Waterford city centre, was built in the 1980s.

Since buying it in 2018, the current owners have redecorated, put in an LPG gas tank and built a detached artist’s studio.

Listing it with a guide of €415,000, Guy Palmer, of Palmer auctioneers, says the well cared for 124 sq m property has half an acre of gardens and is perfect for a family trading up.

“It has PVC double glazing, zoned gas central heating, solar PV panels, a mechanical ventilation system and a C1 BER,” he reveals.

Overlooking the river at the rear is a timber floored living room with an insert stove and beside it a modern kitchen/diner with cream units and a centre island.

The bungalow also has an upgraded bathroom and three bedrooms including one en suite.

The 24sq m artist’s studio would, according to Mr Palmer, make an excellent home office.

In the gardens there are lawns, a patio by the living room and, higher up, a sandstone patio area with the hot tub and pizza oven.

VERDICT: Offers space, river views and a few extra home comforts within a short drive from Waterford city.

This elegantly renovated farmhouse at Cartymore near Athenry would be perfect for a Galway city buyer looking for a lifestyle change and space to keep a pony.

Located 23km from the city, it’s a three/four bed house which has been comprehensively upgraded by current owners who, amongst other things, put in new windows, heating, doors, and kitchen units since buying it in 2018.

Seeking offers of €465,000, Rachel O’Dowd of Sherry FitzGerald Galway says it’s an attractively finished property with a country cottage feel.

Dating from 1920, it’s a 107 sq metre house on a site of two acres ( which includes two paddocks at the front and a large green area at the side) and is accessed by a long tree-lined avenue.

The living room has herringbone flooring, some wall panelling and a timber fireplace with a stove, while the kitchen alongside it, has wood effect tiled flooring, a built in bench and sage green country style units with a Belfast sink.

There’s also a boot room and a guest WC while the first floor has four bedrooms including one with an en suite bathroom and a smaller one which has been fitted out as a dressing room/walk-in wardrobe.

At the rear, there’s a gravelled patio and a block-built shed which has been plumbed for utilities.

Ms O’Dowd says the property was insulated during renovations and has a C1 energy rating.

VERDICT: An attractive country home which could appeal to city commuters as well as relocators.