Village-type living with the capital just 40 minutes away

Garden Village in Portlaoise, combines convenience with a rural backdrop. The biggest house in the scheme has an asking price of 380,000.

GARDEN Village is the dreamy sort of name thought up by marketing types but it works.

We all want the sort of home that combines convenience with rural backdrops and in Portlaoise, that's exactly what's on offer.

As well as village-style living, (especially when the new by-pass comes on stream) the Garden Village Development is just a 10-minute walk from the train station which has a forty minute connection to the capital.

While the estate has some large houses, ReMax Town and Country are now selling the biggest property here with an asking price of 380,000.

The 3,200 square foot property, has seven bedrooms, five of which are en suite.

Not only that, but all of the reception rooms are above average in size and come with good quality fittings. Wooden floors, fireplaces, a top of the range quality kitchen with American fridge and De Dietrich range, as well as stained glass double doors to all of the reception rooms are just some of the fittings.

The property could be suitable as a B&B, say the agents, or it could remain what it is, a fine family home.

Judging by this development, one thing is certain value for money can be had the further out from Dublin one is prepared to move.