Trading up: Blackrock, Cork €495,000

Sq m: 190 (2,050 sq ft)

The large period house Drumcora (for many years the home of Dunlops Sports and Social Club) on Cork’s Blackrock Road, has just recently sold for a seemingly-modest €325,000, via Trish Stokes of Lisney. It had been on and off the market since 2008, and conserving and renovating that important double bowfronted 1820s house will take multiples of that sum, but it’s now found a brave and committed buyer.

Meanwhile, also back for sale after an on/off market dalliance is Marcot, directly across the Blackrock Road from Drumcora, in a cul de sac called Menloe Park.

The four-bed (two en suite) home of c 2,050 sq ft is guided at €495,000 by agent Dennis Guerin of Frank V Murphy & Co, who notes it is just one of five in this niche setting, between classic Menloe Gardens, and the period Rectory, which sold last year via Sherry Fitz for €2m as top Cork house sale of the year.

Built around 1990 by Fitgibbons, and quite classic/traditional in decor, Marcot has three reception rooms with the largest 18’ by 12,’ and has a west-facing aspect in front on a quite modest-sized site, with large patio behind, and the Rectory over the back wall.

VERDICT: Marcot is an easy-keep home in a great Blackrock location, a five minute walk from the harbour village.