Amazing what good value Cork is by comparison with Dublin. In the capital, £650,000 (E;825,500) will buy you a modest enough house in a good neighbourhood. But in Cork it will buy you a gem of a house like Ballinderry House at Glanmire, just outside the city. The handsome 20-year old house has more than 4,800 sq ft of floor space on three levels. There are three fine reception rooms, a fully fitted kitchen and breakfast room and a games room. Five bedrooms complete the accommodation.

The house stands on one acre of wooded gardens complete with orchard. It is only a few minutes off the new city link road and Lee Tunnel. Peter Cave of Hamilton Osborne King is handling the sale.