COUNTRY

Address Heir Island Middle, west Co Cork
Agent Pat Maguire Properties
Set on the north side of Heir Island, close to a pier and moorings, this four-bedroom cottage has a self-contained guest apartment, plus a cabin and workshop. The cottage is in very good decorative order and is kept cosy with a range in the kitchen and a wood-burning stove in the livingroom. There's an abundance of fitted bookshelves.
Plus Splendid isolation with home comforts
Minus Could be wild in winter

TOWN

Address 65 Shelmartin Avenue, Marino, Dublin 3
Agent Quillsen
Built as part of an affordable-housing project in the 1920s and 1930s, this three-bedroom semi-detached house comes to the market in near-original condition with plenty of period detail, such as tiled fireplaces, cast-iron fireplaces and wide floorboards. The windows have been replaced with PVC versions, but a new owner may decide on a rethink as part of an overhaul of the 93sq m house, which has a good-sized walled garden to the rear and off-street parking in front.
Plus An easy commute to central Dublin
Minus A lot of work to do to bring it up to 2020 standards