Tommy Barker steps into a secluded one-off home with a sunny disposition and super quality build and finish.

Tommy Barker on an architect-designed courtyard home on the outskirts of a booming tourist hotspot.

Tommy Barker visits Limetrees Road.    

Trish Dromey hears that this unique property is generating a lot of interest and not just from holidaymakers.    

Tommy Barker finds a fantastic and private west Cork hideaway.    

Tommy Barker visits a contemporary townhouse complete with basement in the heart of Ballincollig.

A BALCONY with views of the River Blackwater, a good address and generous sized accommodation were enough to secure a very early bid for this detached house on Quarry Road in Youghal.

THERE’S been a steady run of sales in Cork’s unusually named Pic du Jer, a network estate of semi-ds built in the mid 1900s in Ballinlough: it’s called after a high, 1,000m peak called Pic du Jer on the edge of Lourdes in France, which can be summited by a 100 year old funicular rail carriage.

Lift the latch and individuality comes jumping out at you in this rustic cottage, says Trish Dromey. 

Apartments filled from port to starboard with view of boats at moorings, marinas and a boatyard or two.

Architect and recent first-time buyer David Sheridan offers his hard-won tips for home hunters in 2016.

It is imperative to stop the loss of essential rental accommodation, says estate agent Sheila O’Flynn.

Sterling and dollar strength is delivering a boon in sales, says country homes estate agent Michael H Daniels. 

Four-bed detached in Broadale, in Douglas, has a substantial garden and a new kitchen, says Tommy Barker.        

The vendors of the family home Estoril, just off Cork’s Rochestown Road in Thornbury Heights, have been in situ at this Mc Inerney-built four-bed semi-d since it was first built in 1985: in fact, they were the very first people to move into either end of this Thornbury development, thirty years ago.

Century-old Foxglove Cottage has been lovingly renovated, and extended, in West Cork, says Trish Dromey.

This West Cork home with gorgeous sea views is sure to attract plenty of interest, writes Tommy Barker. 

There’s just over 2,000 sq ft of home on offer at this Grange, Cork, bungalow at 6 Arbour Court, part of the 1970s Grange Heights scheme of bungalows and two-storey detacheds — and, the site’s big too.

Tommy Barker on a recently upgraded house of two styles close to all the facilities of Cork’s urban life.

There are quality woods inside, and outside, at Blackberry Cottage, in the woodland scheme of one-off homes called Brookwood.