You may travel far to the west coast of Ireland, but dramatic sea views make it worth the journey. Property Editor Orna Mulcahy on a trio of seaside cottages
Cashel, Connemara :€475,000 A restored extended cottage '- Oysterbed Cottage - at Letterard, Cashel in Connemara has a Paul Henry-style setting, with the Twelve Bens mountain range forming its backdrop. It is for sale by private treaty through HOK for €475,000.
On the southern shore of Bertraghboy Bay, it looks north across to Roundstone, Co Galway, and is a reasonably short drive from Clifden. Although the area is remote, it's as cosmopolitan as they come, especially in summer, and there are plenty of chi-chi shops and trendy restaurants in the area. Cashel got onto the international map a few decades ago when then French president de Gaulle stayed in the hotel there.
Oysterbed Cottage has retained its traditional features while being upgraded and modernised: it has a livingroom with a large open hearth opening into another large open-plan sittingroom with a stone fireplace and a double height ceiling: windows on three sides maximise views of the bay.
There are two large double bedrooms on either side of the livingroom, which opens into a well-equipped kitchen. Upstairs there are three attic rooms with skylights which are used as sleeping quarters. There is a bathroom downstairs, and the main bedroom has an en suite. The cottafge has a private water supply, but connection to a mains water supply should be available soon. The cottage has oil fired central heating and a septic tank.
Inchydoney Strand €750,000 A plain bungalow in a glorious setting overlooking Inchydoney Strand in West Cork has an AMV of €750,000 prior to auction through Clonakilty agents Sherry FitzGerald O'Neill on June 7th.
There is always stiff competition for houses in this very popular island resort, which has the Inchydoney Lodge and Spa at its centre.
The renovated four-bedroom house has 180 degree views over the beach, It's got plenty of living space including a 25 ft livingroom opening onto a raised patio over the garage.
There's a good sized kitchen and all four bedrooms are doubles.
A house of this size would generate rent of €800 to €1,000 per week during the summer months, according to the agent.
Inchydoney is four miles from Clonakilty town, which is about an hour's drive from Cork city.
Roundstone, Connemara €500,000 A traditional three-bedroom cottage on an acre of ground on the coast road to Ballyconneely in Connemara carries an AMV of €500,000 prior to auction through Sherry FitzGerald Kavanagh on June 15th.
Located four miles from Roundstone village - known as Connemara 4 because of the Dublin crowd who take up residence in the summer - Dolan Cottage has superb views of the sea and the Twelve Bens. It's a short walk to the beaches of Dog's Bay and Dolan .
Inside the cottage is decorated in a simple easy going style and it still has its original open hearth fireplace. There is a livingroom, diningroom and a garage which could be converted to extra living space.
