Co Cork: from €500,000
A new phase of holiday homes in the beautiful setting of Fota Island in Co Cork goes on sale this weekend.

Savills Hamilton Osborne King is handling the sale of 24 houses ranging in price from €500,000.

A total of 55 homes have already sold in the island resort over the last 12 months, mostly by word of mouth. The new phase, The Aviary, goes on sale from a marketing suite on site this weekend. Show units will also be on view.

There are 11 different house styles at The Aviary, which is in a woodland setting close to the golf course and five-minutes stroll from the five-star Sheraton Fota Island Hotel.

The starting price is for a 68sq m (732sq ft) two-bedroom, two-bathroom terraced home while four-bedroom detached homes with 144sq m (1,559sq ft) of living space cost €795,000.

Buyers at The Aviary will get two free memberships of Fota Island Golf Club. Residents will also get membership of the hotel spa for free until the end of 2009.

All homes at The Aviary will get a top-notch fit-out including solid oak wooden floors, wool rugs, oak panelled doors with walnut inlay, leather furniture, high-gloss kitchens with stone countertops and AEG appliances, and underfloor heating. Even the the Egyptian cotton bed linen will be provided.

Homes will be ready for occupancy in September, according to the selling agent.

A marina is proposed to the south east of the island, which will give full river access to all of Cork Harbour.

Other facilities on site include a recreation centre, play area, tennis courts and a convenience shop.

Lodge owners will share the island with some exotic neighbours at Fota Wildlife Park, which will be accessible via one of the many walks on the island.

Fota is 10 minutes east of Cork city centre and 15 minutes from Cork International airport.