Trading up: Shanakiel, Cork €520,000

The houses at Cork’s Ashboro, up in Shanakiel and above Sunday’s Well, are big blocks of homes: in fact, it’s nearly a surprise to find that houses here like No 8 Ashboro have ‘only’ 1,900 sq ft inside in them.

Dating to the 1970s/1980s, this scheme was built on large sites under the reservoir up by the top of Shanakiel hill, a kilometre or less from Apple’s giant Cork base, and an easy enough run back down to the city centre via Sundays Well.

There’s also fairly swift access towards UCC, the Bon Secours and the CUH, and traditionally Ashboro has found buyers from those employment hubs also.

Estate agent Brian Olden of Cohalan Downing guides 8 Ashboro at €520,000, and says “it’s most impressive, spacious and bright, and very well located.”

On a wedge-shaped site, broadening from its front entrance point to the back, it’s in good order inside and outside, with a south-west facing back patio, and is two storey, with five carpeted bedrooms, of which one is en suite, and one has access to a front balcony.

It’s main living room is a decent 24’ by almost 12’, there’s a dining area of similar size, small kitchen, and a study. There’s also a ground floor guest WC, and - in an old-fashioned way - a separate cloakroom, plus wood-floored hall.

VERDICT: Will readily respond to modernising touches.