A thatched cottage in Galway or a Ballyfermot apartment for €175k

Town and country: Beside the sea in Kinvara or near Phoenix Park in Dublin

Thatched cottage: Geeha, Doorus, Kinvara, Co Galway
Thatched cottage: Geeha, Doorus, Kinvara, Co Galway

Address: Geeha, Doorus, Kinvara, Co Galway

Agent: DNG Brian MacMahon

The sea is an easy walk away from this 93sq m (1,000sq ft) thatched cottage which had its roof replaced 10 years ago (and a new comb added in May 2015). The house centres on a livingroom, with the four bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen on either side of it. The cottage sits on a quarter of an acre with courtyard and lawn to the front and a garden at the back with a shed, which used to be a house and was built in 1912. Kinvara is about 5km away. BER: G

Plus: A dreamy and rare piece of tradition close to Galway Bay

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Minus: Décor is decades old.

First-floor apartment: 147 Seven Oaks, Sarsfield Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10
First-floor apartment: 147 Seven Oaks, Sarsfield Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10

Address: 147 Seven Oaks, Block E, Sarsfield Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10

Agent: Ray Cooke Auctioneers

This first floor, 53sq m (570sq ft) apartment is within walking distance of Phoenix Park. There is an open-plan living/dining/kitchen space which opens on to a balcony through glazed double-doors, there are two bedrooms (one with en suite) and a bathroom. The management fee is about €1,200 a year. BER C1.

Plus: Bright livingroom with glazed double-doors to a balcony

Minus: No attempt to conceal white goods behind kitchen cabinets

Emma Cullinan

Emma Cullinan

Emma Cullinan, a contributor to The Irish Times, specialises in architecture, design and property