Mayo:One Dublin-based entrepreneur has taken a unique approach to house-selling in a difficult climate, by offering to swap his six- bed home overlooking Clew Bay in Mayo for any reasonable offer – even bank shares.

The house, which is located about eight miles outside Westport, at the foot of Croagh Patrick, is about 200m from the beach.

Ray Brennan, who describes himself as an entrepreneur specialising in waterproofing and fire prevention consultancy, built the house as a holiday home in 1998, and it includes a basement originally designed as a recording studio.

Now Brennan wants to sell the holiday home which was valued at €1.1 million in 2006. He reckons it is worth about €430,000 now. However, he says he’s prepared to look at any kind of offer.

“I don’t want the hassle of renting it. It’s fully paid off. But maybe an ex-pat with an apartment in New York, or London – that would have a viable rental income – might be interested in a swap. I’d even look at a business I could take a stake in anywhere. Someone could offer Bank of Ireland shares – after all, how much worse can they get?”

The house enjoys panoramic views across Clew Bay and is a short walk from a popular local start point for climbing Croagh Patrick. From the house, sea views extend to Clare Island, Old Head, Mulranny and Achill.

It’s a big house, extending to 418sq m (4,500sq ft approx), but potential buyers – or swappers – shouldn’t be put off by potential heating bills.

Brennan brought his particular expertise to bear by installing 929sq m (10,000 sq ft) of extra fire-proofing and insulation material, and, as a consequence, in January 2011 it received a BER rating of B3.

The house can be viewed on westofireland.net