Trading up: Grenagh, Cork €245,000

Sq m: 168 (1,810 sq ft)

There’s a good, all-round rural country home package on offer at Ashwood, a 15-20 minute commute from Cork city near Grenagh.

Ashwood’s a decent-sized, four-bedroomed dormer, with around 2,300 sq ft, all on a safe and secure half acre site. Safe and secure? Try separate fenced areas for children to play in, and another for animals — and ne’er the twain shall meet.