Trading up: Dunmanway, West Cork €299,950

Sq m: 265 (2,850 sq ft)

Just in case the work done at Horseshoe Cottage doesn’t speak for itself, you could always ask Charlie from Cheshire to parrot a few lines — after all, this house’s resident 16-year old pet parrot has seen all (and can repeat all) of the blood, sweat, tears and cusses that went into its salvation.

Now a supremely well-feathered nest, and a true labour of love and stone lugging, Dunmanway’s Horseshoe Cottage is being sold by its British owners who are moving closer to the sea for fishing.