Starter home: Monkstown, Cork, €170,000

Sq m 79 (850 sq ft)

THE waterways and wild fowl of Cork harbour are close to this Strawhall, Monkstown property, where the house is compact, but the gardens expansive.

The old-world two-bed cottage Strawhall is just beyond Raffeen, and is in very good shape for its vintage, with about 850 sq ft and an upstairs which could be adapted or extended.

It’s for sale with Jean Shanahan of DNG Murphy Condon in Glanmire and Blackpool, who describes it as “delightful, and ideal for those looking for something different ” and who seeks offers around €170,000 for the characterful home. Strawhall is low-slung and petite with a tiny entry porch sun/spot with glass roof, but not short on appeal, in a cluster near Raffeen creek with other homes, but has lots of garden delights, including seating areas, stout trees to sling a hammock from, veg patch and glasshouse. Planting includes bamboo, fruit trees and mini-orchard, and wisteria. The water and wildfowl sanctuary can be seen across the road, as can one of the three enormous wind turbines across the way in Ringaskiddy, by Pfizers, and there’s access to the Monkstown walk near the boatyard.

VERDICT: You might need to sped a bit more on extending if you want more all-weather living space (the hammock hardly counts) but the compensation is an affordable buy-in price and garden joys.