Wise up to Páirc na Fána scheme in Union Hall

IF you live in, or visit, Union Hall, you’ll be connected to the sea. Swimming, diving, whale-watching, sailing, motor-boating, canoeing, exploring, angling – or just eating things from its ocean bounty, this is a place that relishes and rejoices in its seaside setting.

Here, the sales brochure for the Páric na Fána development describes the west Cork village on Glandore harbour as ‘not just a place...it’s a way of life,’ and while it sounds like straightforward sale spiel, those acquainted with the place will nod sagely, in agreement, into their pints, punts or gem-set properties.

Admittedly, the original sales brochure for this well-built scheme of 44 houses in all also referred to “a wise investment in the buoyant west Cork property market.”

While the market has slipped and slid since, places like Union Hall and west Cork have held up better

than the national average, despite the second home market being most sluggish of all.

Páirc na Fána prices – initially set up at Schull levels – have come back in line with the local market (by about 30%, says developer Don Teegan) and building work is continuing on finishing out six bungalows: there’s 16 houses in all to complete in the scheme of 44.

“We decided we had a good product to sell, and the only way to go forward was to finish them. We’re staying on site talking to people,” said Mr Teegan, who’s joint developer with John Cunningham of Castle Developments, with builder Darren Hourihan.

They’ll have fully finished 1,700 sq ft four-bed bungalows at €385,000, or a fully-furnished showhouse for €399,000, two-bed townhouses at €220,000, with three-bed semis from €250,000, and a four-bed 2,000 sq ft detached four bed at €450,000, down from an earlier 690,000.

Selling agent Pat Maguire says most interest right now is coming from west Cork families keen on a village setting and services. There’s also British interest thanks to a more favourable sterling exchange and lower prices, and forecasts that when completed this development will be very firmly owner-occupied.

He’s on site this Sunday afternoon, 2 to 4pm. Bring the togs.