New houses going on sale today at Donabate will attract buyers looking for a home by the sea. Prices for 31 four and five-bedroom semi-detached and detached houses start at £215,000 (272,990) for four-bedroom semis and £395,000 (501,550) for five-bed detached houses.

The selling agent is Douglas Newman Good and viewing is from 2 to 5 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday. Somerton, which takes its name from the original big house on the lands, is now being developed by C. Gallagher Ltd.

The four-bed semi-detached houses and five-bed houses in this phase of the Somerton scheme should appeal to families trading up in the north Dublin suburbs.

The development is located on the edge of the pretty village of Donabate, 10 miles from the city and with schools, golf courses, a train station and Portrane's sandy beach within easy reach.

Noteworthy features include built-in wardrobes, antique pine kitchen units, stylish bathroom suites and tongue-and-groove upstairs floors.

There are two styles of four-bed houses, measuring 1,200 and 1,340 sq ft, and priced from £215,000 (272,990). Both are conventional, with sittingroom to the front, leading to a large kitchen/diningroom with doors to the garden.

Another style has a large kitchen/dining/family room spanning the width of the house to the rear. The larger four-bed semis cost from £220,000 (279,340) and one detached four-bed costs £265,000 (336,480).

The 1,660 sq ft five-beds, at £395,000 501,550), have interconnecting sitting and diningrooms, with a spacious breakfast/kitchen and a separate study overlooking the front. The Somerton scheme is designed in short cul-de-sacs, with ample landscaped open spaces and seeded gardens.

Developer C. Gallagher Ltd's previous schemes include Beverton and Hazelwood in Donabate, Tudor Court and Castle Lawns in Malahide, and Saffron House and St Domhnach's Well in Sutton.