A total of 50 houses valued at £8 million were sold last weekend at the Oldtown Mill development, in Celbridge. The developer, Mountbrook Homes, which is run by Sean Dunne, reported queues outside the show-houses when they opened on Friday and by Sunday afternoon all units in the first phase were sold. Because of the heavy demand for the homes, Mountbrook is to take bookings for the next tranche, which will be ready for occupation this summer. Most of the three-bedroom semis were booked by Dublin-based first-time buyers, while the larger four-bedroom units were bought mainly by Celbridge families trading up.

Agents Billy O'Sullivan and Associates said starting prices will not be increased for the next phase, which goes on sale today and tomorrow from 3 to 5 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. Three-bed semis with 1,100 sq. ft are priced at £144,950, while four-bed semis with 1,300 sq. ft will start at £159,950.