Fond memories of family holidays by the sea in Co Kerry may encourage buyers to invest in two new schemes of apartments being offered for sale on the shores of the Kingdom.
Billed as the most westerly apartment complex in Europe, ┴rasβin Cheann SibΘal, near Ballyferriter on the Dingle Peninsula, is a development of 21 apartments carved out of the former D·n an ╙ir Golf Hotel on a site overlooking the Blasket Islands.
Located about seven miles from Dingle with the pubs, restaurants and shops of Ballyferriter close by, the apartment scheme and adjoining golf course are set in an outstandingly beautiful spot facing the Atlantic - so beautiful, in fact, that it is amazing that planning permission was ever granted for the original hotel and surrounding holiday cottages.
These were built about 30 years ago by ┌darβs na Gaeltachta, and while the cottages are now privately owned, the hotel had deteriorated in recent years.
Developed by D·n an ╙ir Properties, which is headed up by buinessman Michael Cronin, the apartments were launched from plans last year and over half were sold. Eight units remain at prices ranging from £120,000 (€152,368) for a one-bedroom unit to £165,000 (€209,506) for a three-bedroom duplex. The joint selling agents are Cork auctioneer Damien Wallace and Tralee and Dingle-based Sherry FitzGerald O'Connell.
The low-level scheme, which is painted in bright yellow and green, should appeal to couples seeking a getaway in a remote spot, but with the advantage of a golf course next door and a village nearby.
Several apartments have been bought by retiring or childless couples, although a friendly family atmosphere is guaranteed with over 20 holiday cottages within the complex, and around 15 further new cottages due to be built.
The existing cottages rarely come on the open market, according to Damien Wallace. When they do, they make between £100,000 and £140,000 (€126,973-177,763). The apartments are bright and spacious and are being sold fully-furnished.
The apartments now for sale are on the ground and first floors with the top-floor units entirely sold from plans. The remaining units are larger than average with one-bedroom apartments ranging in size from around 520 sq ft and two and three-bedroom units from 740 sq ft to just over 1,000 sq ft.
There are terrific views from all the units, either out to sea, or over the golf course. Membership of the golf course is open to purchasers at an annual fee of around £200 (€253) with a joining fee of approximately £700 (€888).
Meanwhile in Ballybunion, Sherry FitzGerald O'Connell is taking bookings for Ocean View, a scheme of 72 apartments to be built on the site of the Atlantic Hotel which closed last year.
Planning permission has been granted for a four-storey scheme with direct access to the sea and views over the famous Ballybunnion golf course. Construction work is due to begin in early 2002.
Off-plan prices start from £115,000 (€146,019) for a one-bedroom unit although there are only two available at this price.
More typically, one-bedroom units will cost from around £123,000 (€156,177) for a ground-floor apartment, rising to around £147,000 (€186,651) for a similar-sized apartment on the second floor.
Two-bedroom units range from approximately £131,000 to £197,000 (€166,335-€250,138) while large three-bedroom apartments range from £227,000 to £267,000 (€288,230-€339,020).
