€125k for Blackrock re-build project in mature park

This Church Road home suffered structural damage and now has planning permission to be reconstructed

25 Mcgrath Park, Church Road, Blackrock, Cork

Blackrock, Cork City
€125,000
Size	93sq m  (1,001sq ft)
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2
BER	D

A home in Blackrock for €125k sounds like the bargain of the decade. But this property within 2km of the Atlantic Pond and the Marina Promenade is actually a significant demolition and reconstruction job.

The original house at 25 McGrath Park on Church Rd, was built around 65-70 years ago. In 2021 it suffered structural damage due to a burst water main next to the property. This resulted in a sink hole, and associated structural defects.

Due to the extent of these structural issues the property is now being sold as a reconstruction project rather than a standard home purchase.

Pictures: Larry Cummins

25 McGrath Park with Scally's SuperValu on Skehard Rd visible in the background

 

The owners have organised full planning permission for the demolition and reconstruction of the two-storey home. So this house is more likely to be bought by a builder or developer ... though a private purchaser with the cash and will to take on a biggish project may also move on this home.

Any serious viewer will need to be a cash buyer as it’s unlikely a bank will finance the property in its current condition.

The end-of-terrace house, which had been a family home until the water damage, overlooks a green and is around 350m from the local SuperValu on Skehard Rd, with the Rockies Hurling Club a 450m walk in the other direction.

There’s a busy Circle K garage just 900m away at the north end of Church Rd and there are several gastropub options on Blackrock Rd and in Blackrock Village.

“Due to its current condition, it is not possible to get access to the property for viewing purposes,” notes agent Chloe Reidy of Frank V Murphy & Co.

“There is planning permission in place for a three-bed home and we are being very clear with anyone enquiring that it is quite a big project to take on — but we are getting a good number of calls from individual builders and people in building companies who would be well-informed about what’s involved here,” adds Ms Reidy.

The Cork Examiner Tuesday, January 8, 1957 McGrath Park: A motion in the names of Messrs D Desmond, TD and J Moynihan was passed naming the 56 new houses now being erected at Dundanion, Blackrock as 'McGrath Park' with the following inscription: "Erected to the memory of the late Alderman Pa McGrath, TD, Lord Mayor of Cork".

The estate of around 56 houses is named after the late Alderman Pa McGrath, TD and former lord mayor of Cork. The Property Price Register records two sales there so far this year — Nos 12a and 44 for €425k and €488k respectively. And this particular house at No 25 was last sold in 2015 for €250k.

VERDICT: At €125k in one of Cork’s most desirable suburbs, 25 McGrath Park looks like an absolute steal on paper — especially with neighbouring homes fetching more than €400,000. However, the price reflects reality: severe structural damage means it requires a full tear-down and rebuild, though it has ready-to-go planning permission.

View this property on MyHome.ie