Trading up: Ardmore, Waterford €175,000

Sq m: 70 (750 sq ft)

One of the prettiest houses, in one of Munster’s prettiest seaside villages — what’s not to like?

A quaintly romantic thatched cottage in the very heart of Ardmore, West Waterford, has a €175,000 asking price with local agent (and horse-racing broadcaster) Brian Gleeson, who says it would make an ideal weekend/holiday or retirement home.