Starter homes: Dripsey Cork, €225,000

Size: 110 (1,200 sq ft)

There are special waterside properties, and there are attractive, affordable homes — but it’s rare the two come in the one package. They do, near Dripsey.

About 10 miles up the Lee valley from Cork city fringes is the reservoir and dam that holds Cork’s drinking water supplies and which are getting more precious by the day, as water metering and billing controversially comes into force.