Latest news with #holidayhome
Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Times
20 best coastal properties to buy in Ireland now
For anyone dreaming of an idyllic holiday home with the sea on their doorstep, to facilitate a summer of swimming, sailing, surfing, lying on the beach and coastal walks, the best properties also provide a glimpse of the shimmering blue water. These come at a price and they're in demand — from Irish and international buyers. John Daly of Sherry FitzGerald Daly Kenmare points to a strong interest from American buyers that he says wasn't there 12 months ago. 'This is happening in all the Sherry Fitz offices up along the west coast,' he says. 'A huge number of Americans are coming in looking at holiday home-type properties or even full-time homes in nice locations.' • Revealed: 100 Great Places to Stay in Ireland for 2025 Maeve McCarthy of Charles McCarthy Estate Agents in Skibbereen, also notes high demand from Irish buyers, including those living overseas who want a base here. 'They want a foothold in Ireland, but not necessarily where they're from originally,' she says. Top of the list of priorities for these buyers are typically location and views, as well as a high level of finish. 'People are looking for good-quality, turnkey houses,' McCarthy says. 'They want the same standard of finish as they have in their home, or maybe a little bit down from that. If it needs a bit of work they're more reticent. They also want something that is low-maintenance to run.' We've picked out twenty coastal properties around the country that should tick plenty of boxes for even the most discerning buyers. On the outskirts of Carlingford village in Co Louth, Seascape is a stunning four-bedroom bungalow set on a 0.8 acre site overlooking the lough and the Mourne Mountains. Built in 2008, it has a B2 energy rating, 192 sq m of living space and a luxury finish throughout. Nowhere more so than in the Parkes Interiors-designed bespoke kitchen, which has quartzite worktops and backsplashes, a hidden breakfast station, and high-end appliances including a Bora induction hob and Fisher & Paykel fridge/freezer and dishwasher drawers. Inside, the best of the views are from the double-height kitchen/family room, the living room and the dual-aspect main bedroom. Outside, a large composite deck with integrated lighting is the perfect place to drink in the surroundings — and whatever else takes your fancy. Agent Set into a slope, this split-level house in Kinnalargy, near Downings in Co Donegal, has been upgraded in recent years to make the most of the light and the spectacular coastal backdrop. On the upper level, the L-shaped kitchen/dining/living room has distinctive timber panelling on the ceiling, with three floor-to-ceiling windows framing the bay on one side, plus sliding doors to an all-glass solarium and rooftop terrace on another. Three of the four bedrooms — there are two upstairs and two downstairs — also face the water. Other features include porthole windows in the utility, a concrete staircase, landscaped gardens and a separate, two-storey recreational building. Agent The decor at Bunker Lodge in Co Clare reflects the three-bedroom property's near-seaside location — the house is about 2km from both Doonbeg village and White Strand, a sandy blue flag beach. The property's showstopper is its triple-aspect first-floor living room, which has a white-painted timber-vaulted ceiling, wall panelling, a built-in window seat and glazed double doors with views of the sea, access to a deck with a fireplace and an external staircase to ground level. In addition to the 200 sq m, B3-energy rated house, there's a separate chalet with three rooms, including a wet room with double shower. The house is listed on Airbnb with a rental price of €950 a night during the summer months. Agent The Old School House in Collorus, Co Kerry, has views across Ardgroom Harbour and Kenmare Bay as well as calm and elegant interiors, luxury bathrooms, a bespoke kitchen with premium appliances and a hidden wine and cocktail bar. Run as a school for 99 years, the property was converted into a holiday home in 1967 and fully renovated last year by its current owners. The accommodation includes an entrance hall with white oak stairs, kitchen/living/dining room with two 2.8m sliding glass doors facing the views, three bedrooms, including one at ground level, a utility room, an office and three bathrooms. There's plenty more outside with nine acres of land that includes seating areas, mountain streams, a waterfall and a small lake, plus a garage. And, as far as turnkey goes, this one completely knocks it out of the park — all the contents are included in the sale. Agent On the other side of Kenmare Bay and just a few hundred metres from the N70, aka the Ring of Kerry, this detached home in Coad is within easy striking distance of the Iveragh peninsula's many outdoor activities and scenic spots. It's a short drive from Castlecove and Caherdaniel on either side and just 1.5km from Westcove Pier. The 250 sq m house has a large, triple-aspect and open-plan kitchen/living/dining room with huge picture windows and French doors delivering fabulous water and countryside views, plus access to a gravelled outdoor space where there's lots more of the same. The rest of the accommodation includes five bedrooms, four bathrooms and a utility room. An additional detached building comprises two large spaces that are separated by a drive-through arch and currently used as games and storage rooms. Agent Between Cleggan and Letterfrack in Connemara and about a ten-minute walk from Ross Beach, Inish Reach is a charmingly refurbished and extended stone cottage with panoramic sea and mountain views. The sitting room, which has partly exposed stone walls and a solid fuel stove, accounts for the lion's share of the original cottage and, like most of the rooms, has vaulted ceilings. The other main living spaces — sunroom and gorgeous triple-aspect kitchen/dining room with exposed beams — have huge windows facing out to the views at their gable ends. The 160 sq m house has three bedrooms, all with en suites, a guest WC and a utility room. Agent Spectacular and rugged countryside and coastline surround this sandstone brick-clad contemporary bungalow, which sits on an elevated 1.1 acre site on Crohy Head, Co Donegal, and was built on the site of a derelict cottage. Size wise, it's relatively modest for a new-build, with just over 140 sq m of living accommodation, but it is full of high-end features, including underfloor heating. It has three bedrooms, one with an en suite and walk-in wardrobe, and a family bathroom. The main living space is open-plan and includes a streamlined kitchen and a sitting room with a vaulted ceiling and glazing on four sides, including floor-to-ceiling windows pointing towards the views and the sunsets. The property is close to numerous beaches and is less than 10km from Dungloe. Agent At the foot of Croagh Patrick and within walking distance of lovely Bertra beach in Co Mayo, this single-storey property in Gloshpatrick was built in 2009 and renovated to a high standard in 2023. Some of the upgrades included underfloor heating and insulation, an air-to-water system, and new windows and doors. The 265 sq m house has four double bedrooms, each with an en suite, along with a guest WC and a utility room. Its kitchen/living/dining room has a wood-burning stove, huge picture windows and gorgeous Croagh Patrick vistas. The eye-catching Next 125 kitchen in anthracite and saffron is the star of the show and includes a double larder cupboard, an island unit with induction hob and a range of Kitchen Aid appliances. The house is on an acre of land with patio, lawn and a tarmac driveway, along with an 89 sq m garage with its own underfloor heating and a separate air-to-water heat pump. Agent On an elevated site overlooking the ocean and Sherkin and Cape Clear islands in west Cork, Laguna on Cove Hill offers the best of both worlds — glorious views and easy access to popular and buzzy Baltimore village. Built in the late 1970s, the house has been extended and upgraded over the years and now offers 278 sq m of B2 energy-rated space. The kitchen, dining area and living room face the stunning seascape and open to a lovely terrace. The dual-aspect main bedroom suite, which has a vaulted ceiling, reading nook/dressing room and en suite bathroom, has the sea views on one side and French doors to the garden on the other. Also on the ground floor are another sitting room, two more bedrooms and family bathroom. A fourth bedroom and a WC are upstairs. The 0.7 acre property has landscaped gardens, a boat shed and a garden room. Agent The main living spaces at Stella Maris are in a single-storey block at the back of this 335 sq m home in Myrtleville and connect via huge sliding doors to a patio, the garden and sea views beyond. In this space are the kitchen/dining area — packed with Siemens appliances including a bean-to-cup coffee machine — and an adjoining triple-aspect living room, plus a lounge that's currently used as a gym. There's another sitting room, three bedrooms, bathrooms and a utility at this level. Upstairs, the main bedroom suite and an office benefit from the views and a roof terrace. Agent Built in the late 1800s, the Links in Rosses Point, Co Sligo and its semi-detached next-door neighbour operated as a hotel before being converted into a single home and, in the 1990s, divided in two. It now has 150 sq m of accommodation — including four bedrooms — set out over four floors. The main living spaces — a reception room with reclaimed wood flooring, solid fuel stove and a bay window facing out towards the water, Oyster Island and Coney Island, and a kitchen/dining room with a cast iron fireplace — are on the ground floor. A basement, with direct access to a front courtyard, is used as a utility space and for storage. The house is next to the Yeats Country Hotel and the County Sligo Golf Club, and is close to shops, cafés and bars. The centre of Sligo is about 7.5km away. Agent Spectacular views of Cork Harbour are among the selling points at No 4 Lighthouse Terrace on Roches Point, which was built about 200 years ago and used as a post office and telegraph station before being converted into a home. Its four bedrooms include one with a vaulted ceiling, exposed rafters and a bay window with a built-in seat facing the harbour. Also upstairs are a family bathroom and a dramatic glass-floored walkway. Downstairs are a living room with another bay window and French doors to a courtyard, a smart kitchen, a utility room and a guest WC. The property's main outside space is across the road at the front on the water side and includes a patio and a decked area. Agent A former boys' school, the School House on Corbally Road in Kilkee has been restored and converted into a lovely — and quite quirky — home. In a recent project, a conservatory was added with windows on either side that links the main house to the original master's cabin, now a self-contained guest wing with bedroom and en suite, sitting/dining room and kitchenette. The rest of the accommodation includes a kitchen, living room and four more bedrooms. The house is on about an acre of land that's surrounded by stone walls and includes Liscannor stone patios and elevated gardens at the back that provide views of the countryside and down to the sea, which is a couple of fields away. Agent Built in the 1980s and extended in 1994, this detached home in Toe Head near Castletownshend stands out for several reasons, not least its 10m heated indoor swimming pool. The house spans 404 sq m, including the pool area. Four bedrooms are on the ground floor and the kitchen/living/dining room with fabulous views of the countryside is upstairs. Also at this level is a self-contained studio with a small kitchen and a fold-down wall bed, plus a bathroom and access to a terrace and exterior steps. Internally, the house has a lift as well as two staircases. It's on half an acre that includes patios and lawn, plus a kitchen garden with raised beds set in the ruins of a pre-famine cottage. Agent The clue is in the name at Dune Watch in Co Louth, a three-bedroom bungalow on a 0.3 acre site that's right next to Seapoint beach. The most dramatic space in this 172 sq m house, which is 2km from Termonfeckin, is the sitting room, which has timber-panelled, vaulted ceiling, a stove, corner windows facing the beach and glazed doors to a deck. The kitchen also has a corner of glazing and access to the deck. The house has another reception room and three bedrooms, along with two en suites, a bathroom and a utility room. Agent Carraig Aenain on Cliff Road offers up the heady mixture of full-on, close-up sea views and proximity to a range of amenities — it shouldn't take much more than five minutes to walk to Ardmore's Main Street or the beach in one direction, while the Cliff House Hotel is the other way and even closer. This 102 sq m semi-detached cottage has been fully refurbished in recent years right down to a new roof and windows. It has four bedrooms, two bathrooms and an L-shaped kitchen/dining room with a rooflight and French doors to the outdoor space at the side. The living room is at the front and has a solid-fuel stove and cute half-opening stable doors facing on to Ardmore Bay. Agent A large conservatory with three sets of doors opening a raised terrace is probably the best spot at Heywood from which to enjoy the up-close-and-personal views across Galway Bay, the north Clare coastline and the Aran Islands. On Pier Road in Barna, this is a giant of a house with 717 sq m of living space. Apart from the conservatory, notable features include a self-contained one-bedroom guest unit with its own entrance, a sauna, detached garage with an office/gym, a cobble-lock driveway lined with shrubbery and beautiful, mature gardens at the back. Agent Properties don't come too much closer to the sea than at the Boat House on Coast Road in Blackrock, Co Louth. The 258 sq m house, which was built in the 1990s and looks on to Dundalk Bay and the Cooley Mountains, is set on 0.6 acres of land with direct access to the beach. The house has four bedrooms, various reception rooms and a lovely, tiled conservatory. One of its most special features is its 85 sq m boathouse, which operated as Blackrock's lifeboat station for several years until 1935. Agent No 4 Cliff Manor is the middle unit in a terrace of seven homes built on the site of a former hotel and in a most spectacular location on the southern slopes of Bray Head looking out towards the Irish Sea and down along the Wicklow coastline. Downstairs, the living space is pretty open-plan and has large windows on two sides facing on to a front terrace. Upstairs, the three bedrooms include a main suite with the most fabulous sea views, as well as access to a private balcony. Cliff Manor residents have exclusive access to seven acres of private gardens; No 4 also has its own private outdoor space at the back. Agent Firmly in wildcard territory as an option for a holiday home is Connemara Isles, a 56-acre property on Annaghavane Island in Co Galway comprising — among other things — a nine-hole golf course, its own natural harbour, an 1850s-built thatched house and a small island that's linked by a causeway bridge. The thatched house is now used as a bar within the 344 sq m clubhouse, which also has a function room, catering kitchen and changing rooms and could potentially be converted into a private home surrounded by the most ridiculously beautiful scenery. Agent
Times
5 days ago
- Climate
- Times
Who needs air con when you can sit in a recycling bin full of water?
It was Bastille Day yesterday and I'd usually be in France, watching the fireworks from the local bastide. However, I've given up on southwest France, in part because of the expense but also because of the heat. When my parents bought their holiday home in the sun 35 years ago, a hot day was anything over 30 degrees. In recent summers temperatures have regularly exceeded 40C. You have to stay inside with the shutters closed all afternoon and it's tricky sleeping at night. I thought I'd inherited a house in Lot-et-Garonne. Turns out it's in the Sahara. It's air con or sell, so we're selling. Mind you, things are going the same way in London, where 25 degrees used to be a scorcher but now counts as blessed relief from the 30-plus saunas the capital has been enduring of late. It's already hot by 9am, like in the Med, and the bus to work is a (scarcely) mobile greenhouse, the paltry ventilation overwhelmed by the thermic energy of 80 commuters packed in tight. The Tube is an oven, the air through the end-of-carriage window pumping like the outflow from a tumble dryer. Summer in the city.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Love Island fans reveal what it's really like renting a house next to the villa
A LOVE Island fan renting a house next to the villa has revealed what it's really like. The villa in Mallorca is currently home to a batch of sexy singletons all looking for love this summer. 4 4 4 A holiday-goer shared a clip of the villa from a short distance away and told fans had rented a nearby property. It showed the villa surrounded by trees with its iconic lights seen for miles. The person captioned it: "POV you just found the Love Island villa." They revealed what it was like, saying: "It's literally in the middle of nowhere and it has security all around it. "We stayed in the villa next door two years ago and had to drive past security everyday. It's a beautiful area." The villa itself will be available to rent after the hit ITV2 show ends – and it's a perfect venue for your summer getaway. The swanky villa features all sorts of amenities you'll want for a holiday, including the iconic infinity pool. After the show ends it'll look completely different, with no cameras in and a homely vibe created with a complete interior overhaul. There will be no neon signage but instead rustic additions, including exposed brickwork and snug sofas. Owners of the posh pad say it'll sleep 12 people, but obviously during Love Island we've seen a lot more than that squeezed in. Those visiting will also have some hotspots on their doorstep, including the quaint villages of Arta and Sant Llorenc, and it can all be rented through holiday home rental site Fincallorca. 4
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A Place in the Sun's Laura Hamilton says 'I've been waiting to share this' as fans say 'congratulations'
A Place in the Sun star Laura Hamilton has shared some exciting personal news on her social media platforms. Laura has been a part of the Channel 4 show for over a decade since her first episode aired in February 2012. Laura purchased a Majorcan holiday home in August 2024. She has been renovating the home and has previously spoken about "loving the process" of transforming it. The TV presenter has a separate Instagram account dedicated to her makeover process. Laura has been renovating properties since she was 19-years-old. On Instagram, she said: "I have some news and this is something I have been wanting to share with you for some time with you but it just hasn't felt quite right. As many of you know this time last year I brought a property in Majorca and it was a renovation project because that's exactly what I love. READ MORE: Gogglebox star dies as tributes pour in from fans READ MORE: Tony Bellew supported by fans in relationship update "However, things have taken a lot longer, when you're renovating a property you're waiting for various licences, permits and it is a slow process. The project is still very much underway it's just taking a lot longer than I anticipated." In an exciting announcement, Laura told followers that over the past twelve months she has been visiting Dubai. She said: "You might have seen that from my stories and posts that I have been doing. I have been coming to Dubai for many years and when you do the job that I do you love exploring the world." The property expert revealed she has been spending a lot of time in Dubai over the last twelve months "seriously looking a the property market here [Dubai]", the TV host has been speaking to different developers and investigated different areas. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Laura Hamilton (@laurahamiltontv) Laura added: "A couple of months ago I purchased my very own property here in Dubai, in Dubai marina. I am here this week with the children showing them the property for the first time." It is a four year old property that Laura says she is able to put her own "stamp" on. The Channel 4 star captioned the video: "I've been wanting to share this for the past 3 months…and now feels like the right time to finally share it. "It's a move that's all about property, potential, and thinking internationally. A new investment in a place known for its sunshine, skyline, and serious opportunity." Fans of Laura were thrilled to hear the property news. Sarah wrote: "Congratulations Laura! I spent many years in Dubai and The Marina is a beautiful area. I hope you enjoy it!" Julann commented: "Congratulations Laura! I hope you have a fantastic week with the children, and manage to get the wallpapering done too! And good luck with the continuing renovation project in Mallorca!" Nigel posted: "So exciting - congratulations! A location I've been considering investing in for a while too! Looking forward to the property reveal." Another comment said: "Congratulations Laura that's amazing."
News.com.au
12-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Hemsworth link could help make Phillip Island next Byron Bay
The Victorian coastal hamlet of Phillip Island has been touted as having the potential to become Australia's next celebrity-studded coastal paradise, a la Byron Bay. And the former Block destination has one big advantage over other contenders nationwide: the Hemsworths already own a home there. The revelation comes as Ray White economics team research has revealed the best places to buy a holiday home with room to boom, and why the middle of winter might be the best time to sign up for a sea-change. Frankston South house price record set by clifftop mansion Adrian Portelli selling entire Block compound at Phillip Island For those on a budget, the best spots are in the state's far east and west. House prices in the Glenelg region on the South Australian boarder can be as low as $352,000, according to the Ray White data. While on Victoria's southeast coast the Longford-Loch Sport area isn't much more expensive with homes for $407,000. Those looking for something closer to Melbourne will get the best value in the southern end of Werribee, where the median house price is just $746,599, or the wider Frankston region, which has an $840,217 typical value. The research tracked Statistical Area level two regions, which are typically slightly bigger than suburbs of the same name, and can yield differing median prices to the suburb, but capture a broader range of homes that have the coast close at hand. And now could be the best time to make a move. Ray White Group chief economist Nerida Conisbee said buying a holiday home in winter could prove advantageous due to reduced competition from other buyers, leading to better deals and more favourable negotiation terms. 'Selling in winter in a beach side location is generally not something people do. If they are selling, they are potentially a highly motivated seller and that's where you could get a bargain. 'While you'll have greater choices in summer, it's in winter that buyers will have a higher chance to save money.' While potential savings will vary in each state and location, some studies suggest an average of 0.51 per cent to 1 per cent less than other times of the year. As for those looking to get a piece of the next Byron Bay, before prices take off, Ms Conisbee tipped Phillip Island. With a surf lifestyle and community appeal, as well as property prices typically still well under $800,000, it shares many hallmarks of the NSW playground of Hollywood A-listers and Aussie richlisters — but not the price, with Byron Bay's typical house costing about $2.243m. 'So for people seeking a similar lifestyle, Phillip Island is becoming quite popular,' Ms Conisbee said. 'However, Victoria seems to be the area that's still a bit undiscovered (as a holiday destination) and hasn't seen the same (price growth) as other areas. 'So for those looking for a bargain – and a similar lifestyle to Byron – you'll find that the cheaper areas are in the east, starting at Phillip Island.' And while the coastal hamlet hosted The Block in 2024, it's had its own star-power appeal for a lot longer. Property records show Liam and Chris Hemsworth, alongside their parents Craig and Leonie, bought a home for $1.6m in a secluded pocket of Phillip Island in 2012. It's a more modest space than the sprawling compounds the Hollywood heavyweight brothers own in Byron Bay, but might be a bit closer to the surfing-centric lifestyle they enjoyed while growing up on the island in the 2000s. Phillip Island based real estate agent Greg Davis said the popular spot had been going through a transformation since the pandemic that was making it more like Byron Bay than ever before. Mr Davis said in addition to Hollywood heart-throbs the Hemsworths, others calling it their home away from home included famous musicians, sporting greats and business leaders. Most are drawn to the million-dollar water views on offer along its coastline, available for the about $2m you'd pay for a standard home in Byron. Phillip Island has also hosted its share of music festivals – but goes a step further with the annual Moto Grand Prix, which has lured Hollywood A-listers including Eric Bana and Keanu Reeves. Mr Davis said the Island had been transforming in recent years, with about 60 per cent of buyers today looking for a home there as a permanent residence — driving an increase in the presence of cafes, breweries and boutiques. 'It's certainly been busier than it was before Covid,' he said. It's also going cheap at the moment, with prices in most suburbs around the Island still below their post-Covid peak, though Mr Davis said it wasn't likely to stay that way for long. He's tipped areas like Smiths Beach and Cape Woolamai to be the first back into the million-dollar club, and popular Cowes might not be far behind. 'I've sold three in the past few weeks around the $2m mark,' he added. Mornington Peninsula-based buyer's advocate Michael Sier said this winter and spring would likely be among buyers' last chances to really take advantage of a broader decline in Victoria's coastal property markets. Mr Sier said additional land tax costs introduced by the Victorian government at the start of 2024 had turned many off of owning a beach house, unless it was their permanent residence. However the Buyer X buyer's agent has noticed rising numbers of holiday home buyers contacting him this year. While he noted that there were very different vibes in some of the most affordable pockets identified by the Ray White research, particularly suburban areas like Frankston, the wider Mornington Peninsula was still as much as 10 per cent below its peak for prices. 'So buyers still have an opportunity for properties where sellers are motivated to get it sold,' Mr Sier said. VICTORIA'S MOST AFFORDABLE COASTAL HOUSE LOCATIONS Source: Ray White Economics, figures track Statistical Area 2 regions that extend beyond named towns and locales. Region (Statistical Area 2) Median house price Median unit price GLENELG (VIC.) $352,674 N/A LONGFORD – LOCH SPORT $407,134 N/A ORBOST $416,170 N/A YARRAM $443,210 $306,029.00 PORTLAND $449,102 $339,028.00 MOYNE – EAST $459,863 N/A CORANGAMITE – SOUTH $489,394 $419,347 BAIRNSDALE $502,813 $367,490 LAKES ENTRANCE $556,134 $425,591 FOSTER $565,597 $395,198
