Merrion Square, Dublin 2

1900: £500

1999: £1.77 million +

A house on Merrion Square is on the wish list for many an Irish millionaire, but in 1900 you could have snapped one up for £500. By 1922, prices had quadrupled, with houses costing between £1,700 and £2,200. Just before the Second World War, you could have bought for £3,250. When the war was over, they cost £6,000-plus. In the 1950 and 1960s, the fine houses were lived in by doctors and lawyers but by the 1980's, they were mostly in offices and changed hands for around £500,000. By the mid 1990's , however, prices had dropped back considerably; it was possible to but one needing refurbishment for around £300,000. However, wealthy buyers began to target house in the Georgian squares as desirable homes and prices shot up. Recently, a house needing refurbishment sold for £1.77 million.