Strong interest is expected from first-time buyers for 12 city centre apartments offered for sale in the Irish Life Centre through Hooke & MacDonald. The studio and onebedroom apartments are divided between Abbey Court, off Lower Abbey Street and Talbot Hall, on Talbot Street, adjacent to Marlborough Street. This sale marks the culmination of Irish Life's initiative to cut back on its residential investments. Early last year, existing residents were offered the choice of buying their units at a discount price or to remain on as tenants. The remainder are being sold this week at market value. The Talbot Hall block was built in 1978 and is serviced by a lift. Retail units on the ground floor include Easons. All the apartments are in good condition, with ash wardrobes in the one-bedroom apartments. Four of the nine apartments for sale have balconies overlooking a courtyard garden. Prices start from £105,000 for the five studio apartments on the second, third and fourth floors of the block. Four one-bedroom apartments at Talbot Hall are selling from £147,000 to £175,000. They have a separate kitchen and a double bedroom with solid ash wardrobes.

The Abbey Court block, off Lower Abbey Street, dates from the mid-1980s and overlooks a well-planted courtyard with a feature mosaic wall. Three apartments here - a one-bedroom on the second floor and two one-bedroom apartments on the third floor, - are priced from £160,000 to £180,000. They have solid ash internal doors and good-sized separate kitchens. All three of apartments have large balconies overlooking the courtyard garden.

There are no parking spaces with any of the units. Central heating and security is included in the £950 annual management fee.