Holiday developments attract attention on a boank holiday weekend, as people dream about turning an occasional break into a year-round possibility. Kate McMorrow reports on homes on offer from Waterford to the Riviera.
A genuine Irish fishing village far enough from Dublin and Cork to remain unspoiled is the setting for a new apartment scheme in the sunny south-east.
The location of Dún Mór Pier in Dunmore East, Co Waterford, is second to none, poised above the picturesque harbour with its old stone pier and close to the centre of the village.
David Flynn of Leebury Properties is behind this small development which combines the imaginative conversion of the original 19th century harbour house with two ultra-modern buildings.
Selling agent O'Shea O'Toole of Waterford will be taking bookings for 18 two and three-bedroom units, spread between a converted period house and two contemporary blocks.
Prices start at €350,000 for 75.95 sq m (817 sq ft) two-bedroom apartments and from €410,000 for 90.61 sq m (975 sq ft) three-bedroom apartments.
Specification is high: the homes have porcelain floor tiles, top quality bathroom fittings and kitchens with a full range of appliances. Kitchen units are in solid beech with granite worktops.
Downlighters are installed in kitchen, bathroom, en suite and living areas and bedrooms come with beech floors. Built-in wardrobes in beech are also included and internal doors are steamed beech.
The apartments are completely painted and ready to move into as soon as paperwork is completed.
Built by Lord Waterford, Harbour House was sold in 1883 to a Mr Christy, who converted it into a hotel to cater for visiting steam packet ships. When the shipping moved to Waterford and business declined, the house became a convent for the Sisters of Mercy.
A number of fine period features remain in the old house, such as sliding sash windows, Georgian panelled doors and architraves and the main entrance door. The contemporary buildings have smart steel-framed balconies with decking and steel railings.
A typical apartment at Harbour House has the bedrooms off the entrance hall, with an open-plan livingroom and kitchen/diner.
An en suite is fitted off the largest bedroom. Balconies in the modern blocks are large and these also include an en suite off the main bedroom. Heating is electric.
Plans for the landscaping include surface parking, mature planting and a children's play area. There are plans to build a 130-berth marina and outer harbour wall at a cost of €3 million.
Annual management charges are expected to be around €1,300.
Show units are open this weekend.
