Escape to a picture-perfect country charmer for under €300k

North Lodge, Archerstown, Clonmellon, Co Meath - €300,000
Three-bed property with gothic-style features in pastoral surrounds.

Situated close to the Co Westmeath border, North Lodge, a chocolate box pretty Gothic Revival-style property on 0.57 acres of pastoral lands would tempt even the slickest of city dwellers to escape to the country.

Between the townlands of Archerstown and Stranaboll, and formerly part of the Archerstown Estate, the cottage has hardwood casement windows set into limestone sills and all manner of hardwood floors from maple to walnut, birch and oak.

The original property was a labourer’s house but it has now been extended and modernised, its Gothic Revival flourishes added in 2006, and it now measures 143sq m /1540sq ft.

The three-bed house opens into the newer part, where there is a double height living room with windows on three sides and a chimneybreast climbing all the way to the roof. The room has a wood-burning stove, a leaded glass window in the gable wall and an oak beam running its length. A set of stairs leads up to a galleried mezzanine with another seating area.

The kitchen, to the rear, has timber-topped pale grey units and rustic tiles underfoot. The master bedroom is set further down this corridor and its walk-in wardrobe has been plumbed for use as an en suite bathroom.

The original cottage is home to another two good-sized bedrooms, each one located off a charmingly decorated living room complete with wainscot panelling and William Morris-style wallpaper.

The gardens are well maintained. The nearest shop is in Clonmellan, about 5km away. The property is seeking €300,000 through agents Smith Harrington.

Agent: Smith Harrington

Sunny Hollow, Broad Strand, Courtmacsherry, Clonakilty, West Cork - €280,000
Three-bed detached house within a minute's walk of the sea and about a mile from the village

Due south from Courtmacsherry and west of the gastro town of Kinsale Sunny Hollow is a pretty little seaside house situated about one minute from the secret shore of Broad Strand. The detached property is one of about eight one-off homes in the cul de sac and was built as a holiday home about 30 years ago.

The current owners bought about 15 years ago and use it as a base to enjoy the sun, when it shines and to kayak – it takes less than a minute to carry the craft to the water. A Greek-style, wood-burning stove in the garden is used year round.

The main entrance to the house is at its gable end, which faces the sea and has the best coastal views. It opens into a living room where there is an open fire and a kitchen with units painted a stormy grey. There are two bedrooms at hall level with the master bedroom situated under the eaves upstairs alongside a second sitting room with charmingly painted crossbeams.

While the area is littered with beautiful beaches Broad Strand is a cove that is predominately used by locals that tourists happen on by accident, says agent Ernest Forde.

Nearby Courtmacsherry has several restaurants of note and attracts a large number of sailors from Kinsale; the sail time is about two and a half hours. Set on 0.25 of an acre the property, which measures 98sq m/1054sq ft is asking €280,000 through agent Hodnett Forde.

The nearest shop is a 3km drive to Courtmacsherry.

Agent: Hodnett Forde