What will €249,000 buy in Dublin and Mayo?

Town & Country: A one-bed apartment in Terenure or a big Swinford four-bed with waterfall

48 The Crescent, Fortfield Square, Terenure, Dublin 6w

Address: 48 The Crescent, Fortfield Square, Terenure, Dublin 6w
Agent: Gillespie Lowe
This 49sq m (527sq ft), one-bed apartment is on the first floor of the Fortfield Square scheme. There is an open-plan kitchen/living/dining room with glazed double-doors onto a balcony that overlooks planted grounds. The bathroom has a bath. Bushy Park is nearby as is shopping at Terenure, Templeogue, Rathfarnham and Rathgar. There is designated car parking.
Plus: The living room balcony overlooks planted grounds
Minus: A car-park entrance slashes through the gardens

Tavnaglass, Midfield, Swinford, Co Mayo

Address: Tavnaglass, Midfield, Swinford, Co Mayo
Agent: Matt Duggan Auctioneers
On a 1.4 acre site, this 278sq m (3,000sq ft) house was built in 2000. At ground level are two living rooms, a kitchen/dining room, utility, bathroom, office and sunroom. There are four en suite-bedrooms upstairs. The garden has a barbecue area and pond with waterfall. Swinford town is four miles away, and Knock airport is a 15-minute drive. BER: C3
Plus: Pretty pond and established vegetable garden
Minus: Lack of planting around the house, especially trees to create a windbreak