Starter Homes: Homes in Durrus, Midleton, and Rochestown from €225,000

Three Cork homes and an apartment that are appealing to first-time buyers

Clockwise from upper left: Derryfunshion Cottage, Derryfunshion, Durrus, Co. Cork; 11 New Cork Road, Midleton, Co Cork; Apartment 34, Ronayns Court, Rochestown, Cork; 9 Copperhill, Broomfield Village, Midleton

Durrus, West Cork
€350,000
Size	108sq m (1,162sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	1
BER	B3

The views of Dunmanus Bay mightn’t have been a major consideration for the original owner of Derryfunshion cottage, but they certainly will be for the ones who purchase it now.

“From the living area and the master bedroom, you have panoramic views of the bay and of Sheep’s Head Peninsula,” observes Liam Hodnett of Hodnett Forde, the selling agent of the 1930s cottage, which has been extended, modernised, and given an energy upgrade by owners who most likely bought it for its views.

Now the property is attracting interest from overseas and Mr Hodnett already has a booking with a US buyer.

Current owners are a UK couple who did all that was necessary to turn the old cottage into a comfortable family home. They also converted an outbuilding into a workshop for a candle-making business.

“The cottage has been insulated and fitted with double glazing, electric radiators, and a long row of SVP solar panels,” reveals Mr Hodnett.

It has a kitchen with contemporary green units as well a living room with a stove and a modern bathroom.

On a third of an acre site, the cottage has hedge- enclosed gardens and a workshop.

Guiding at €350,000, Derryfunshion Cottage is located 7km from Durrus and 12km from Schull.

VERDICT: It’s in prime holiday home territory and offers charm, modern comfort, and scenic views.

Midleton, Co Cork
€275,000
Size	111sq m (1,194sq ft)
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2
BER	C3

Taller and larger than most of its neighbours on New Cork Rd in Midleton, No 11 isn’t quite the property you might expect it to be.

“Although the terrace was built a hundred years ago, this house is just 30 years old,” reveals Kyle Kennedy of Kennedy Estate Agents, explaining that previous owners demolished the original cottage that stood on this site in 1996 to build it.

Spacious with 111sq m of accommodation, it’s been a family home for its current owners for the last 20 years.

“They redecorated over time and in 2025 put in a modern kitchen with cream shaker-style units,” says Mr Kennedy, noting the property has double glazing and oil- fired heating.

At ground floor level, it has a living room with a fireplace, a kitchen/diner, and a guest WC. Upstairs has four laminate-floored bedrooms and a shower room.

On street at the front, the mid-terrace house has an attractive low maintenance garden at the rear.

“It has decked and gravelled areas with some trees, shrubs, and pot plants,” says Mr Kennedy, adding that the owners built a pergola and a small stone fountain in the area outside the kitchen.

He says the €275,000 guide price and the location, within a five-minute walk of the town centre and 10 minutes from the train station, makes this an attractive option for a first-time buyer.

“The majority of viewings so far have been with young couples but we have also got a small number of enquiries from downsizers,” he adds.

VERDICT: Has more space and a prettier garden than many properties in this price range in Midleton.

Rochestown, Cork
€275,000
Size	67 sq m (721 sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	2
BER	B3

A Rochestown apartment with a guide of €275,000 — like this one at 34 Ronayn’s Court — is always going to be well viewed.

“We expect it to attract a high number of first-time buyers,” says Sean McCarthy of ERA Downey McCarthy, selling agent for the two-bedroom apartment which is located in a corner on the first floor.

Built in 2001, it’s a well maintained ex-rental with a small balcony. It has a kitchen/diner with oak units, a sitting room, a bathroom and two bedrooms, one en suite. Situated in a gated development, it’s 3km from Douglas.

VERDICT: Could be a very popular option.

Midleton, Co Cork
€225,000
Size	49 sq m (527 sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	1
BER	C1

The fact this two-bedroom ground floor apartment at 9 Copperhill, Broomfield Village, has a garden is going to make it attractive to downsizers.

That’s according to Aine McLoughlin of AML Property Services who believes the affordable €225,000 guide will make it appealing to first time buyers too. Being sold jointly with Michael McKenna auctioneer, it’s a ex-rental property located 2km from the town centre.

It includes an open-plan kitchen/dining/living space. To the rear there’s a garden with a patio which is quite a bit bigger than the typical outdoor space you get in an apartment.

VERDICT: Highly affordable.