Carlingford, the picturesque Co Louth town on the shores of Carlingford Lough, is the setting for Cairlinn, a new development of upmarket shore-front properties.
The small scheme of townhouses, duplexes and penthouse apartments consists of 24 units in five mixed blocks costing from £185,000. There is plenty of parking for residents and visitors on the mature site. The development also has a tennis court, and postcard views from every home. Sherry Fitzgerald Carroll in Dundalk is the agent for this scheme.
To get to Cairlinn, you leave Dundalk and take the coast road along the Carlingford peninsula, with the Mourne and Cooley Mountains as a backdrop. This north east corner of the country has long been popular with weekenders, and jet skis, yachts, windsurfers and kayaks dot the Lough. Located halfway between Dublin and Belfast in a rural setting, this development is being marketed as a weekend retreat, especially for golfing and sailing enthusiasts. The living areas are large and have hardwood floors and terraced balconies. Built by Dundalk-based Brendan Duffy Construction and designed by architects Fergus Flynn-Rogers, it should also appeal to the local market.
The convenience of Carlingford is expected to be a big selling point. Less than an hour and a half from Dublin and an hour from Belfast, this area can be reached faster than some parts of Wicklow and Wexford. There are 10 restaurants in the medieval heritage village centred around the harbour. The ruins of King John's Castle, with the peak of Slieve Foy in the background, dominate this village. In the evening, the lights of Warrenpoint and Newry are clearly visible across the bay.
There are three styles of homes available in the development, with prices ranging from £185,000 to £190,000. The 12 three-bedroom townhouses are on three levels, and have 1,450 sq ft of space. These have a Shaker-style kitchen on the ground floor and patio doors to a small garden. The entrance hall is dominated by a solid oak staircase. Hardwood floors, beech doors and recessed lighting are features throughout. There is also a bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor.
On the first floor, there is a large livingroom with terraced balcony and a small separate study behind a glass block wall. There are a further two bedrooms on the third floor, one en suite.
The duplex units have 1,350 sq ft of space. Three bedrooms and a bathroom are on the ground floor; the first floor is divided between the livingroom at the back, with a large balcony and spiral stairs to the garden, and a kitchen to the front overlooking the Lough.
There are four penthouse apartments, but the developers are holding back on pricing them until sales of the townhouses and duplexes are under way.
The penthouses offer the best views: they have an open plan layout and two bedrooms, one en suite. Each unit has good storage space. Features include gas central heating, security gates and power showers.
