Ideal if you don't want to rattle around in your home

MAYBE it's the high limestone walls surrounding the estate that gives an air of exclusivity to Cherrington in Ballintemple, Cork.

But whatever is responsible, this little enclave of townhouses is much sought-after, says auctioneer Jean Shanahan of Harris Properties.

She recently sold number 11 in the park for 15,000 over the asking price, and is now selling number 5 Cherrington for €230,000. But she is confident this baseline figure will be surpassed in the eventual sale.

Already the agent has had queues of viewers and she expects that interest to increase in the next few weeks.

Despite the hype, the townhouses in Cherrington are not huge. However, they are private and easily accessible to Douglas and Blackrock.

Number 5's kitchen is small at 10' by 8, but is fully fitted and includes a breakfast bar. The main lounge is a good size at 16' by 15', but two of the bedrooms just squeeze past the double category, with bedroom three a small box room. On the other hand, these houses are ideal for buyers who don't want to rattle around in a big house and don't want high-maintenance gardens. The high limestone walls to the rear of the houses are an attractive feature.