Location, location is a well-worn mantra when it comes to buying property, but add a sea-view into the equation and the value is likely to skyrocket.

Houses overlooking the sea have risen in value at an astonishing rate, while those with direct access to the shore have been among the top selling properties.

No-ones loves the sea more than estate agents, who often reserve their most glowing prose for properties on the coast. The merest glimpse of the water is likely to become a "magnificent marine vista" in estate agent-speak. e.

The most expensive sea-view in the city can be viewed from Sorrento Terrace, Dalkey, where terraced houses are valued at £2 million-plus and the largest property on the terrace, Sorrento House, fetched £5.9 million last year.

More recently, Killiney House, with two acres of gardens and distant views of the bay, made £2.7 million.

This week, on the market are several seaside properties which are likely to attract strong interest in the coming weeks. The Property Supplement reporters viewed the best of them.

Reports by Bernice Harrison, Patrick Logue, Orna Mulcahy