Starter homes in Ballincollig, Mallow, Midleton, Ballyphehane from €245k

Three bungalows and a three-bed duplex perfect for new buyers

Clockwise from upper left: Cairn Woods Cottage, Mallow, Co. Cork; No 43 Leeview, Ballincollig, Co. Cork; 14 Wood Quay, Bailick Rd, Midleton, Co. Cork; No 121 Lower Friars Walks, Ballyphehane, Co. Cork

Mallow, Co Cork
€245,000
Size	75sq m (807sq ft)
Bedrooms	1
Bathrooms	1
BER	Pending

Although every inch a traditional thatched property on the outside, Cairn Woods Cottage in Mallow is surprisingly modern on the inside.

Derelict up to 20 years ago, it’s been rethatched and remade by an owner who turned it into a comfortable home — retaining the huge inglenook fireplace and exposing some of the 19th-century stonework while installing all the necessities for modern living.

“It also has double glazed sash windows and gas central heating,” says Jayne Sheehan of Sherry FitzGerald O’Donovan, who describes it as charming and characterful, as well as modern and move-in ready.

Seeking offers of €245,000, she says it’s unique, not only because of its architecture and charm, but also in being a thatched property with a large garden situated within walking distance of the town centre.

Its traditional style half-door opens into a modern sitting room with a feature stone wall and fireplace. A redbrick archway leads through to kitchen which has modern high gloss units, a breakfast island, and an exposed stone wall. Beyond the kitchen is a modern bedroom with a contemporary en suite bathroom.

Enclosed at the front by old stone walls, the old thatch is on a sizable triangular shaped site.

VERDICT: Attractively renovated, cute, and affordable. Downsizers will love it.

Ballincollig, Co Cork
€350,000
Size	90 sq m (970 sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2
BER	B3

A new market arrival with a guide of €350,000, No 43 Leeview in Ballincollig is expected to attract a very high level of first-time-buyer interest.

This is partly due to the fact that three-bed semis in this price range are in very short supply in Ballincollig and also because a B3 BER makes it eligible for a green mortgage.

Selling agent Tirza Hourihane of Sherry FitzGerald says this is a well-presented family home which has recently undergone a comprehensive energy upgrade.

“Improvements have included external and attic insulation, new windows and doors, and a new oil boiler,” she says, noting that it now has a zoned heating system.

The owners have also been busy in the garden and have recently laid a large porcelain patio at the rear where they have also built a garage/ workshop and planted colourful flower beds.

The property has a timber floored sitting room with a fireplace at the front and a kitchen/ diner with cream fitted units at the rear. Off the hallway there’s a bathroom, while the upstairs has three bedrooms, including one at the front with an en suite bathroom.

Situated in a row of eight 1980s built semi-detached dormer bungalows, the property is within a 10-minute walk of the shops on Main St Ballincollig.

Sales of dormer bungalows in Leeview, an estate which only has a limited number of them, are quite rare. The last sale of one seems to have taken place in 2022 when No 25 was purchased for €300,000.

VERDICT: Well-presented properties in this price range can be expected to sell well — especially when they have a B3 BER rating.

Midleton, Co Cork
€280,000
Size	98 sq m (1,054 sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathroom	3
BER	C1

Scenic views of the Owenacurra estuary are a key attraction for this three-bed duplex at 14 Wood Quay, Bailick Rd in Midleton.

“It’s in excellent decorative order and is conveniently located within walking distance of Midleton town centre,” says Adrianna Hegarty of Hegarty Property. On the lower level it has a kitchen, sitting room, and dining room which offer access to a front balcony overlooking the estuary. It also has a guest WC, bathroom and three bedrooms, one en suite

VERDICT: Waterfront properties with balconies are always in high demand.

Ballyphehane, Cork
€275,000
Size	49 sq m (527 sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	1
BER	D

No 121 Lower Friars Walks in Ballyphehane seems like an especially good option for a downsizer.

It’s well located in a mature residential area and is in very good decorative order, says Jim Coughlan of James G Coughlan, who also expects it to attract first time buyers.

An upgraded 1960s built property, it includes a living room, a galley kitchen, two bedrooms, and a tiled bathroom. Outside it has one parking space and a west-facing back garden for sitting out.

VERDICT: A compact, well located bungalow that’s set to attract very good attention.