New homes: Four-beds in Oranmore, Co Galway from €279,000

A new development of family houses outside Galway city, a rare thing in recent years, is attracting local attention. Greenway Homes will build 68 houses at Gort an Dúin near the seaside village of Oranmore. Agent Yvonne Sweeney says there has been strong interest in the site.

“There is a significant pent-up demand for well-located homes suitable for families,” she said. “Oranmore is at the right side of Galway in terms of transport links and traffic. There is less traffic on the eastern side of Galway.”

She has deposits for nine of the 10 houses for sale in the first phase. They will be finished some time this summer.

Most of the houses, including all 10 in the first phase, will be 124sq m (1,335sq ft) four-bed semi-detached houses, priced from €279,000. There are plans for six three-bed semi-detached and three detached houses as well.

There is a waiting list of people interested in the second phase of 24 homes, due for launch shortly. The area has a country feel with easy commuting access to Galway city, less than 10km (six miles) away. The nearby train station has links to Galway and Dublin, and there is a regular bus service to Galway. The houses look bright and modern with partial stone facing and large windows. The four-bed semi-detached houses have en-suite master bedrooms and a second bathroom upstairs. There is a toilet downstairs. The timber-framed homes are A-rated for energy efficiency, with triple-glazed windows and high levels of insulation. There is under-floor heating, and each room can be thermostatically controlled.

A showhouse is scheduled to open at the end of April.