Country homes sought by ex-pats

Tommy Barker reports that an increasing number of sales are being conducted privately.

THE Irish country house market moved well through 2004, with returning ex-pats taking up the bulk of better buys - but many of their quality acquisitions were quietly picked up ‘off-market.’

With the traditional selling season now all but closed, country home sales specialist Michael Daniels said the Munster scene had been particularly active. “This year saw a return to full health, as confidence in top-end property, lacking in previous years, came flooding back,” he observed.