Trading Up: Barleycove, Cork, €185,000/€249,000

Sq m: 900 (1,300 sq ft)

There’s a touch of Upstairs Downstairs — and a €64,000 price difference - after end-of-summer price cuts in two apartments overlooking West Cork’s beautiful Barleycove beach, near the Mizen Head.

Agent Andy Donoghue of Hodnett Forde has two modern apartments on his books here by the hotel and holiday-home villas, one a ground floor unit of 900 sq ft, which comes with twobedrooms and is guided at €185,000. It’s No 10, and has sea and beach views over buildings from its front 17’ by 13’ living room, which has a stone surround fireplace; otherwise there’s electric storage heating.

Directly overhead, No 12 is also on the market, and this is larger, at 1,300 sq ft, and is guided at €249,000.

Two of its three bedrooms are en suite, and there’s a mezzanine overlooking the living area and dining space.

The kitchen has maple units, a gable window gives sea views and there’s double door access to a balcony for even more beach views.

Both units have had price drops to encourage out of season viewings and bids and the prices are described as ‘competitive.’

VERDICT: No gardens to worry about, so all the more time for walks, drives, and the beach.