CUSHBAWN: €475,000:
THIS unusual chalet-style house on around four acres of Cushbawn Mountain near Rathdrum in Co Wickow is for sale at €475,000 through the Phillips Partnership estate agency.

Also called Cushbawn, the house was built by its owners as a get-away-from it all home for their retirement. The Scandinavian log house has around 167sq m (1800sq ft) of space that includes a very large open plan livingroom cum kitchen. There are four bedrooms with the main bedroom opening out onto a large balcony taking in the mountain views.

The property is a short drive to Rathdrum train station which has a commuter rail service to Dublin.

THE BEECHES: €1.1M:

THE BEECHES is a large detached house in a small estate close to the village of Enniskerry, Co Wicklow and to Powerscourt. Colliers International is asking €1.1 million for the five-bedroom house, but selling agent Marcus Magnier says that the vendors are realistic and open to offers. Just two of the 14 houses in the estate have changed hands since it was built in 1997, he says, and this one has been well cared for over the years, extended and renovated in 2001 and 2007. It’s a spacious house with three reception rooms and a conservatory leading off a wide hallway. The polished marble floor here continues through the kitchen which in turn leads through to the family room.

The house is surrounded by nicely matured gardens, and the detached garage has been converted into a home office.