Starter Homes: €295k homes in Blackrock, Blarney, Halfway, and Wilton

Apartments, a duplex, and an end-of-terrace house — each with a €295k guide price

Top left: 15 Castán Doire in Halfway; top right: 17 Wilton Manor; Lower left: 53 Blackrock Grove, Eden; lower right: 45 Willison Meadows, Blarney

Evening sun on the balcony of 'upside down' Blackrock duplex

Blackrock, Cork
€295,000
Size	67sq m (721sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	1
BER	B2

The developers predicted it would be popular when they named it and Eden in Blackrock is an estate where properties tend to be in high demand.

One of the first to come up for sale in the development so far this year, No 53 Blackrock Grove in Eden is already attracting a lot of attention.

Garry O’Donnell, of ERA Downey McCarthy, says the duplex is owner-occupied and move-in ready.

While the majority of duplexes have standard layouts, this one has the bedrooms on the lower level and the living space, and a west-facing balcony on the top floor.

The living/dining room is bright, spacious, and timber floored. It has a corner kitchenette and a set of double doors opening onto the balcony.

The lower level has two bedrooms, an upgraded bathroom, and a storage cupboard where the owners keep a bicycle. The apartment has a designated parking space.

Located close to Aldi, it’s in walking distance of the Blackrock Marina and Mahon Point Shopping Centre.

VERDICT: You can tell a lot about Eden’s popularity from the Property Price Register. A similar but slightly larger two-bedroom duplex at No 63 sold in 2024 for €253,000 and again in 2025 for €380,000 following refurbishment. No 53 hasn’t been on the market since 2016 when it sold for €155,000.

Meet the complete deal Halfway

Halfway, Co Cork
€295,000
Size	105sq m (1,130sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	3
BER	B2

Packing up their belongings to return to Europe, the owners of 15 Castán Doire in Halfway have put the two-bedroom duplex home on the market with a guide of €295,000.

It’s very well maintained, has good space and includes a side garden,” says Niamh Smith of Absolute Property, noting that the owners aren’t taking the furniture so the purchaser can get it fully furnished — which could make it a very attractive option for a young couple wanting to cut costs.

Built in 2007, it was upgraded by a previous owner and redecorated by the current ones who have lived there since 2023. Its 105sq m of living space includes a laminate floored living/dining room with some deep blue walls, including a feature wall with timber panelling.

Tucked away in a corner is a tiny alcove used as a home office and at the rear there’s an opening into a modern kitchenette with white units.

On its lower level, the duplex also has a guest WC and a hallway, with an understairs utilities cupboard. The upper floor has two good-sized en suite bedrooms.

At the side of the building, No 15 has a long narrow garden where new owners can sit out when the weather gets better.

Located in the tiny village of Halfway — situated between Bandon and Cork City — it’s in a development of 15 units and is within a 10-minute drive from
Bishopstown and 15 minutes from Eli Lilly Kinsale.

“When we sold a three-bed semi at No 7 last year, we got a lot of interest from people working in Eli Lilly — so expect to see this again now,” says Ms Smith.

VERDICT: A modern property with good space.

Modern and move-in ready in Blarney

Blarney, Co Cork
€295,000
Size	88 sq m (949 sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	3
BER	C3

Modern, move-in-ready properties with a guide of €295,000 like 45 Willison Meadows are scarce in Blarney, so viewings are likely to be exceptionally busy. David Donovan of Savills auctioneers says this three-bedroom, end-of-terrace property has already been attracting huge interest.

It has a living room, a guest WC, and a kitchen/ diner, as well as a bathroom and three bedrooms, one en suite. Overlooking a green, it’s within a five-minute drive of Blarney village.

VERDICT: Judging by the level of online interest, this is likely to go quickly.

Three-bed Wilton apartment within 10-minute walk of CUH

Wilton, Cork city
€295,000
Size	88 sq m (947sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	1
BER	C2

Selling points for apartment 17 in Wilton Manor include its location, within a 10-minute walk from Cork University Hospital, and the fact that it’s a three-bed apartment in a city where the majority of available apartments are two-bed properties.

It has a kitchen/diner, living room, and bathroom too. The 1990s-built top-floor apartment is listed with Jeremy Murphy & Associates, who say it’s well maintained and has a C2 BER. Located across from Wilton Shopping Centre, the complex has communal parking.

VERDICT: Well located and has good space.