Interesting to see that Mount Alverno, a large house and plot of land at Nerano Road in Dalkey is up for auction again, having failed to sell under the hammer last November. The property, which stands on one of the best sites facing the sea, belongs to a family trust controlled by Renata Coleman. It is now having its third outing, having first been offered for sale last July at £2.5 million (€3.17m). Selling agent Eoin Deering then put it up for auction at the end of the year, but again bids fell short of the required amount and it was withdrawn, still quoting £2.5 million.

Now it's back on the market again with an auction date of April 6th and a guide price of £1.8 million (€2.29m). Either Mr Deering thinks the market is softening, or else the guide is a wee bit shy of the vendors' expectations. Whatever they spend, the eventual purchaser may recoup some of the cost by doing a deal with a neighbour who might want buy back some of grounds and the shared access to Sorrento Road.