Two Wexford properties, one about seven miles from Gorey, the other four miles from Rosslare, are the kind of traditional houses many people are looking for in a holiday home. The Cottage, at Carne, near Rosslare, is a two-storey pre-Famine thatched cottage with an annex at the rear. It is for sale by private treaty now (or for auction at a later date) through Kehoe & Associates in Wexford, with a price tag of £140,000/£160,000. The thatch was replaced five years ago, and the property is in good decorative order, according to the agent, after being refurbished some years ago. It has three bedrooms, a livingroom with marble fireplace, a study/playroom, and open-plan fitted kitchen and diningroom, which has a cutstone open fireplace and gas fire with display shelves.

The most striking feature of the property is the sheltered back garden, which has views over Our Lady's Island lake. The garden has mature trees and a large patio. The agent says there is room for further accommodation. Only part of the dormer area was converted and there is a detached stone-built garage. The Cottage is three-quarters of a mile from a beach, and Carne's fishing harbour.

Warren Estates' Gorey office has a two-bedroom house on an acre of mature gardens at Ballyshane, Camolin, for sale by private treaty for £80,000-plus. It is seven miles from Gorey, and 10 miles from the beach at Courtown.

The front of the house is prettily covered in a flowering creeper in full bloom. Inside, accommodation includes a sittingroom, livingroom, kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms. It has a private water supply.