Trading up: Dripsey, Lee Valley, €300,000

The owners of Lakelands aren’t just house proud, they are clearly, and as equally, garden proud.

Size: 119 sq m (1,280sq ft) 

Bathrooms: 2 

Bedrooms: 4 

BER: E1

Set on manicured grounds of three-eights of an acre, this immaculately kept four-bed family home not only looks out on the River Lee and reservoir at Dripsey, it also is almost on top of the highly popular Griffins Garden Centre and cafe... so, no pressure keeping up with the neighbours’s gardens, so.

Named for its river setting, which is home to a water-ski club, Lakelands is on sloping, south-facing ground with lots of mature planting, landscaping and stone tiered walls, and is one of five homes in a row in this privileged setting, a 20 minute commute upriver of Cork city and suburbs.

Selling agents are Joe McCarthy and Robert O’Keeffe of Irish and European, who note it’s within a walk of the national school at Dripsey, in a private off-road location convenient to a range of community services.

The house itself is a bungalow, with conservatory to the front for sun and views, and other accommodation includes a main living room next to this sun spot, a TV room opening to the rear garden, a kitchen/diner with pine units, and four bedrooms, one with hand basin, plus family bathroom.

Lakelands has oil central heating, and outside is a large storage/workshed and a car port.... for the boat.

VERDICT: Lovely leafy and Lee valley setting.