Starter homes in Watergrasshill, Ladysbridge, Ballincollig, and Boreenmanna Road from €295k

Two modern three-bed houses, and two second-floor two-bed apartments

Clockwise from upper left: 6 The Crescent, Wattergrasshill, Co Cork; 2 Lios na mBan, Ladysbridge, Co Cork; Apartment 216, The Willows, Boreenmanna Rd, Cork; 8 Newgrange, An Caislean, Ballincollig, Co Cork.

Watergrasshill, Co Cork
€335,000
Size	106sq m (1,141sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2
BER	B3

Despite sweltering temperatures, which might tempt people to go sea swimming instead of house hunting, 6 The Crescent, Priory Court, Watergrasshill, Co Cork, has been getting a very high number of viewing requests.

Michael Downey of ERA Downey McCarthy, who is seeking offers for the modern, 2000-built three-bedroom semi-detached home, says the majority of enquiries are from young couples.

Accommodation includes a laminate-floored front living room with a stove and a chandelier-style light fitting, as well as a spacious kitchen/diner with cream shaker-style units. The area under the stairs, which was probably designed as a guest WC, is now a utility area equipped with a washing machine and dryer. Upstairs there’s a bathroom and three bedrooms, including an en suite.

“To improve energy efficiency, the owners have put in a new gas boiler, new radiators, and a Hive heating system,” reveals Mr Downey, noting that it’s an attractively decorated, owner-occupied property, with an upgraded B3 BER — which makes it eligible for a green mortgage.

Located within a short walk of Watergrasshill village, the property is 14km from the Dunkettle Roundabout.

VERDICT: In terms of price, size, and condition, it’s the type of property many young couples want.

Ladysbridge, Co Cork
€315,000
Size	102sq m (1,100sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	3
BER	A2

ON A hot summer’s day, the owners of 2 Lios na mBan at Ladysbridge in East Cork can cool down by taking a dip in the sea at nearby Garryvoe Beach. And on a cold winter’s one, they can stay toasty and warm inside their A2-rated three-bed semi.

New to the market with a guide price of €315,000, it’s one of a small number of properties to come up for resale in the 2019/2020-built development of just 26 houses.

“Since buying it new in 2019, the owners have decorated it attractively and kept it in pristine condition,” says Niamh Hegarty, of Hegarty Properties, who expects a high level of interest from buyers in the Midleton area.

Spacious and modern, with 102sq m of living space, it has a laminate-floored sitting room at the front and a spacious kitchen/diner with cream shaker-style units and a centre island at the rear. The ground level has a guest WC, while upstairs there is a bathroom and three bedrooms, including a small one used as a home office.

Overlooking a green, the property has a driveway at the front and a neat garden at the rear with a shed.

Located within a six-minute drive of Garryvoe Beach, it’s 11km from Midleton. “It has all the advantages of country village life and is convenient to amenities and close to the sea,” adds Ms Hegarty.

There have only been two previous Lios na mBan resales. In 2023, the attached house, No 1, sold for €385,000, while No 24, a four-bed detached house, sold for €440,000.

VERDICT: If you’re going to see this modern, affordably priced, energy-efficient property on a hot day, you could take a detour for a swim on your way home.

Ballincollig, Co Cork
€295,000
Size	75 sq m (807 sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	2
BER	B3

The scarcity of affordable properties in Ballincollig means that this apartment at 8 Newgrange, An Caislean, quickly exceeded its €295,000 guide price.

Bidding has gone up to €315,000, reveals Norma Healy, of Sherry FitzGerald, who says the second-floor property is well presented and well located. “It’s within walking distance of all amenities, including a 24-hour bus service,” she adds.

Accommodation includes a kitchen/dining/living room with a balcony. There is also a parking space.

VERDICT: Modern and well kept, it’s expected to sell well.

Boreenmanna Road, Cork
€345,000
Size	64 sq m (688 sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	2
BER	C2

From apartment 216, The Willows, on Boreenmanna Rd, it’s just a half-hour walk or a 10-minute bus ride to Cork city centre.

Location is thus the key selling point for this second-floor property. “It’s an early-2000s-built, well-maintained apartment in a private gated development,” says auctioneer Gretchen Kelleher, of Barry Auctioneers. Accommodation includes a kitchen/dining/living room, bathroom, a tiny utility, and two bedrooms, one en suite.

VERDICT: Simple-to-keep property within easy reach of the city. Sure to attract first-time buyers.