East Cork's idyllic lifestyle drives housing market surge
An aerial overview of building developments in Midleton, at the heart of East Cork's anticipated surge in housing and employment-sustaining industrial development. Photo: Chani Anderson
There’s little doubt Midleton has the greatest mix of retail outlets of any town in Co Cork, and the added plus is that, unlike many others, it has free parking.
Take a walk down its main street and you will see anything from fresh fish shops to discount stores, electrical suppliers and a myriad of niche outlets which give it such charisma that shoppers come into the town from as far away as Cork City, Glanmire, Youghal and even parts of North East Cork and West Waterford.
It also has the Market Green shopping centre with Tesco as its anchor tenant, a nice hotel and lots of good bars and restaurants.
There’s ample parking at present, but as the population grows the local authority will undoubtedly have to acquire more land for it.
Carrigtwohill also has free parking, but pressure is coming on from Cork County Council bosses to introduce pay parking in all towns. Youghal has pay parking, which some believe is holding the town back commercially, especially compared to Midleton.
However, unlike some far smaller towns like Fermoy, Cobh, Mallow and Dunmanway, Midleton doesn’t have a swimming pool, which pressure groups and councillors continue to lobby for.
So far, they’ve been unsuccessful as the council says it simply doesn’t have the money to build one there, citing Cobh is only a short distance away.
The housing market in the East Cork region is seeing a positive surge at the moment, with a variety of properties available to the homebuyer.
Few know better about this than Midleton-based Fianna Fail councillor Ann Marie Ahern, who runs an estate agents.
“While investors are still a minority in the breakdown of prospective buyers, this may be due to the potential increase of 4% in property prices expected for 2026 rather than the variety and range of properties available. Midleton's still the most prominent town in East Cork benefiting from the property boom with numerous new developments available on the open market,” Ms Ahern said.
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She said a trend that's emerging is the long-term expectation in the layout, size and adaptability of the house as ‘modern living’ is very much on the list of needs with most new properties having facilities such as pantry or utility rooms, store cupboards on the first floor.
“The most progressively seen asset is in the new housing development, 'Broom Heights' (Midleton) which is the pre-set ability to convert the attic space for further living accommodation. This ensures a purchase of a house there allows for longevity in the home and upon purchase is ready for conversion,” she said.
This very much varied from the practice seen over the last 25 years, which created a ladder style of property movement and “chain sales” which had FTB (First Time Buyers) start in two-bedroom properties and in time they sell to upgrade to three-bedroom properties.
Under the current Cork County Development Plan, it was envisaged that 22,600 houses would be built in Cork County. However, to support accelerated delivery, the new targeted baseline is now 38,000 homes.
“It would be seen that a concentration of these will again be in East Cork due to the transport network, including the new twin rail tracks currently being built to Midleton. While extending this would unlock further development potential in Castlemartyr, Killeagh and Youghal, surrounding villages are also seeing growth,” Ms Ahern said.
She pointed out housing delivery in Midleton is spread across the town and urban area with new developments popping up in Ballinacurra, Lakeview, Broomfield and Water Rock.
However, Ms Ahern said one recurring theme in the current delivery of housing in East Cork is the lack of apartment and duplex-style living, even with the government VAT reduction in this area.
“All homes are two storeys, with waiting lists a regular occurrence for sales agents. Even with a more regular supply of housing stock on going accommodation demands, prices for a three-bedroomed, semi-detached house averages at €465,000. That is up around 172% from 2013 figures,” Ms Ahern said.
She said while new build homes gain advantage from ‘A’ BER ratings and government supports such as the First Home Scheme and Help to Buy, the second-hand market is still thriving.
The prices are still under the value of the new price band, but again, more grants such as the vacant/derelict homes grant under Croí Cónaithe help make them attractive to the more budget-conscious buyer.
“Pressure remained on prices for second-hand homes, but final purchase figures remain excessive over the guide price. The trend seen from covid also remained strong with buyers being more decisive on what they want – large gardens, work from home space, urban living, rural living, views etc and while the wish list remains strong and determined, the offering of property is varied and achievable in East Cork,” she added.
