Photograph 1 of 17 of 18 Marian Villas, Donegal Town, Donegal
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18 Marian Villas, Donegal Town, DonegalF94X0K2

€195,000

3 Bed~1 Bath~110 m²~BER F

What you'll like:

  • Prime central location: Situated only 400 metres from The Diamond in Donegal Town, offering immense convenience to daily shopping, dining, and local amenities without needing a car.
  • Proximity to retail: Located just 350 metres from a planned major supermarket store scheduled for December 2026, which will likely enhance neighborhood convenience and potential long-term property appeal.
  • Generous floor area: Provides 110 square metres of living space across two levels, offering a surprisingly spacious layout for a traditional semi-detached residence in this established area.
  • South facing orientation: The front of the property enjoys a desirable south-facing orientation, maximizing natural sunlight exposure into the main living spaces and front garden throughout the day.
  • Established residential neighborhood: Positioned within a quiet and established residential area known locally, ensuring a stable community feel and peace away from main arterial traffic routes.
  • Good expansion history: Originally constructed in 1954 and thoughtfully extended in the 1980s, the structure already provides an increased footprint compared to typical unextended neighboring houses.
  • Flexible ground layout: Features a versatile ground floor sitting room that can easily double as a downstairs bedroom, accommodating buyers with various accessibility needs or multi-generational living preferences.
  • Solid fuel stove feature: The kitchen and dining area includes a practical solid fuel stove, offering an alternative heating source that can reduce reliance on oil and create a cozy atmosphere.
  • Dual living spaces: Includes both a separate sitting room and a spacious living room, giving growing families plenty of room to spread out and enjoy independent activity zones.
  • Ground floor facilities: Features a large downstairs WC with ample room to add a full shower enclosure and utility setup, significantly boosting everyday household functional convenience.
  • Multiple bedrooms upstairs: Accommodates three distinct bedrooms on the upper floor, providing enough dedicated sleeping quarters for families, guests, or a convenient home office setup.
  • Built-in storage solutions: Bedrooms include built-in closets which help maximize bedroom floor space and reduce the immediate need for bulky freestanding wardrobe furniture purchases.
  • Upgraded double glazing: Equipped throughout with PVC double glazed windows, helping to improve interior thermal retention and reduce outside street noise infiltration effectively.
  • Oil fired central heating: Fitted with an oil-fired central heating system to provide reliable radiator-based warmth throughout the dwelling during colder winter months.
  • Outdoor garden space: Benefits from having lawns to the front of the house, offering attractive curb appeal and a pleasant green buffer from the nearby roadway.
  • Large rear patio: Features a spacious paved area at the rear, creating a low-maintenance outdoor entertainment zone that is ideal for summer barbecues and alfresco dining.
  • Potential off-street parking: The large front garden area presents a clear opportunity to convert a portion into private off-street parking, solving a common urban vehicle storage challenge.
  • External storage shed: Includes a dedicated storage shed on the grounds, providing a secure place to keep bicycles, gardening tools, outdoor equipment, and seasonal gear.
  • Affordable entry price: Offered at an asking price of €195,000, representing a relatively accessible entry point into the Donegal Town residential property market for owner-occupiers or investors.
  • Strong renovation potential: The combination of space, location, and character offers buyers a brilliant canvas to modernize finishes and add substantial long-term value through targeted home improvements.

But keep in mind:

  • Poor energy rating: The property holds a weak BER rating of F, indicating severe thermal inefficiency that will result in high heating bills and necessitate extensive energy upgrade works.
  • Active roof leak reported: Bedroom number one features a reported leak in the ceiling caused by a broken roof tile, requiring immediate professional inspection and urgent structural repair.
  • Outdated building envelope: Constructed originally in 1954, older fabric elements throughout the house will likely require comprehensive insulation, rewiring, and modern damp-proofing interventions.
  • Missing shower facilities: While there is a large ground floor WC, it currently lacks a functioning shower, meaning occupants must rely solely on the upstairs bathroom for daily bathing.
  • Upstairs damp vulnerability: The presence of an active roof leak in a bedroom suggests potential timber rot or mold issues that buyers must thoroughly investigate before finalizing any purchase.
  • Renovation capital required: Due to the low BER rating and older extension elements, buyers should budget for substantial capital expenditure to bring the property up to modern comfort standards.
  • Limited current parking: Street or informal parking arrangements may apply until the front garden is officially converted and permitted for dedicated off-street vehicular parking spaces.
  • Solid fuel dependency: Reliance on older solid fuel stoves and open fireplaces means daily maintenance, ash disposal, and fuel storage requirements that some modern buyers might find inconvenient.
  • Aged interior finishes: Laminated flooring, older kitchen units, and dated fixtures throughout mean the interior requires a full cosmetic overhaul to suit contemporary aesthetic preferences.
  • Unverified extension compliance: Buyers should instruct their legal advisors to verify that proper planning permission and building regulations approval were fully secured for the 1980s rear extension.
  • Single bathroom bottleneck: Having only one fitted shower room servicing the entire upper floor could create morning queues and congestion for a busy family household.
  • Potential asbestos presence: Given the 1954 build date, buyers should inspect for older materials such as asbestos in insulation, floor tiles, or artex ceilings prior to undertaking renovations.
  • Heating system age: The oil-fired central heating boiler and associated radiators should be independently tested to confirm their remaining operational lifespan and safety compliance.
  • Electrical system check: Older homes of this vintage frequently feature outdated consumer units and wiring that may fail modern safety standards and require a complete rewire.
  • Window seal integrity: While fitted with PVC double glazing, the age and thermal efficiency of these units should be checked to ensure no condensation or broken seals exist.
  • Boundary line verification: Buyers need to carefully check title deeds and maps to ensure the exact boundaries of the front lawn and rear paved area match legal ownership records.
  • Drainage inspection advised: Older clay or cast-iron underground drainage pipes serving the property should be CCTV surveyed to rule out blockages, root intrusion, or structural collapse.
  • Ventilation shortcomings: Properties with low energy ratings and potential roof leaks often suffer from trapped indoor moisture, making proper sub-floor and attic ventilation critical checks.
  • Future commercial disruption: The upcoming construction and opening of a major retail store nearby by late 2026 may temporarily increase local traffic congestion and parking pressures.
  • Resale value volatility: Bringing an F-rated older home up to a modern BER standard involves significant project management and risk, which can impact short-term investment return calculations.

Price positioning

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This comparison depends on limited public and listing evidence, which may be incomplete, outdated or not directly comparable. The score is not a percentage, professional valuation or guaranteed estimate. Ask an independent qualified valuer before relying on a property value.
The asking price looks slightly overvalued compared with the available evidence.
  • The asking price of €195,000 appears slightly overvalued when considering the historical context of similar properties in the same estate and the substantial modernization work required for a dated dwelling.
  • Valuation signals indicate upward pressure from an exceptionally convenient town center location near amenities, balanced downward by poor energy efficiency ratings and necessary roof repairs noted in inspection details.
  • Support for this price point relies heavily on sustained demand for centrally located homes and future retail developments nearby, whereas further structural defects could easily undermine the current valuation.
  • Relevant factors include the older construction date of 1954 combined with subsequent extensions, meaning prospective buyers must budget carefully for extensive retrofitting to achieve modern comfort standards.

Build Analysis

What we know from similar construction types

  • The property was originally constructed in 1954 and subsequently extended in the 1980s, meaning a buyer should investigate the structural integrity and compliance of both the original build and the later extension.
  • The listing explicitly notes a leak in the ceiling of Bedroom No. 1 caused by a broken roof tile, requiring a thorough inspection of the roof condition and timbers.
  • Features oil-fired central heating, double-glazed PVC windows, and open fireplaces, but the overall energy efficiency requires significant upgrading.
  • The BER rating is F, indicating poor thermal performance that will necessitate substantial insulation improvements across walls, attic, and potentially floors.
  • A buyer should verify whether all necessary planning permissions and building regulations approvals were obtained for the 1980s extension.

Retrofit Cost*

Possible renovating / insulating expenditure

  • Given the poor BER rating of F and a floor area of approximately 110 square meters, a comprehensive deep retrofit is required to bring the property to a modern energy efficiency standard (such as a BER rating of B2 or higher).
  • Estimated costs for a full deep retrofit on a house of this size generally range from €45,000 to €70,000, depending on the extent of external wall insulation, internal drylining, attic insulation upgrades, window replacements, and the installation of a renewable heating system such as a heat pump.
  • Additional costs may be incurred to address specific defects mentioned in the listing, such as repairing the roof leak and associated water damage before energy upgrades commence.

Heating cost*

Estimated expense to heat this property every year

  • Estimated annual heating cost: €2,200 - €2,800.
  • Explanation: The property has a poor BER rating of F and utilizes oil-fired central heating along with a solid fuel stove, which typically results in higher energy consumption and lower thermal efficiency compared to modern insulated homes.

Pollution Safe

8/10

Environmental situation to investigate

  • The property is located in an established residential setting within Donegal Town, appearing remote from major heavy industrial sites, incinerators, or large active landfills.
  • Any minor legacy concerns or localized commercial activities are typical of a historic town environment and should be verified during a standard environmental survey.

Flood Safe

7/10

Water overflow reports to follow up

  • The property is situated within a built-up area close to the town center, though buyers should verify local drainage networks and historical surface water patterns.
  • Prospective purchasers are advised to consult local flood maps and carry out environmental searches to confirm specific risk levels for the immediate vicinity.

Recent Local Sales

Verified residential transactions published in the previous five years

Sales on the same street or estate

  • 27 MARIAN VILLAS, DONEGAL

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €166,000.00
  • 6 MARIAN VILLAS, DONEGAL TOWN, DONEGAL

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €241,000.00
  • 33 MARIAN VILLAS, DONEGAL TOWN, CO DONEGAL

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €125,000.00
  • 34 MARIAN VILLAS, DONEGAL TOWN, CO DONEGAL

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €110,000.00
  • 30A MARIAN VILLAS, DONEGAL TOWN, DONEGAL

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €135,000.00

Recent sales in the wider Donegal Town area

  • DRUMROOSKE MIDDLE, Donegal Town

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €425,000.00
  • TIRCONNAILL ST, DONEGAL TOWN, DONEGAL

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €150,000.00
  • CLARCAM, DONEGAL TOWN, DONEGAL

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €105,000.00
  • 321 ST JOSEPHS TCE, DONEGAL TOWN, DONEGAL

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €190,000.00
  • FINNADOOSE, DONEGAL TOWN, DONEGAL

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €193,000.00

Source: Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA), Residential Property Price Register (PPR). Matching uses address information published by the PPR rather than measured map distance. It may omit nearby properties on differently named streets.

Last Sale

A confidently matched previous PPR transaction for this property

No confidently matched previous sale was found in the Property Price Register.

Buyer fees*

Associated expenses guide

  • Stamp duty: Approximately €1,950 based on 1% of the asking price for residential property under €1 million.
  • Solicitor legal fees: Generally ranges from €1,500 to €2,500 plus VAT and outlays.
  • Land registration fees: Around €175 to €700 depending on the property value and registration type.
  • Property valuation fees: Typically between €150 and €300 for mortgage purposes.
  • Surveyor fees: Estimated between €400 and €800 depending on the level of detail required.
  • Annual home insurance: Roughly €350 to €700 per year depending on the policy and coverage level.

Forum Talk

What people are saying about this area

  • Locals often discuss the convenience of living within walking distance of The Diamond in Donegal Town.
  • Residents frequently mention ongoing and upcoming commercial developments, such as the new retail stores planned near the town center.
  • Community forums highlight Marian Villas as a mature, established residential neighbourhood with a quiet atmosphere.
  • Discussions in local groups often center around the general maintenance of older homes built in the mid-20th century in the area.

LifeFit Assessment

How well this property may suit your lifestyle

Family

7 areas
  • Young Children

    The property features three bedrooms and front and rear outdoor areas for play, located near amenities in Donegal Town. However, buyers should verify the safety of the garden layout and inspect the reported roof leak and ceiling issue in one of the bedrooms.

    6/10
  • Teenagers

    With three bedrooms and proximity to town amenities, teenagers can enjoy some independence. The space is manageable, though a growing family might desire additional bathrooms beyond the single shower room and ground floor W.C.

    6/10
  • Multi-generational Living

    The 110 square metre semi-detached layout features a ground floor sitting room that could serve as an extra bedroom, but the overall footprint with a single primary shower room may feel limiting for multi-generational privacy.

    4/10
  • Single Buyers

    At an asking price of €195,000 for a three-bedroom home near the heart of Donegal Town, this property offers an accessible entry point. Buyers should budget for potential upgrade work given the F BER rating and reported roof tile damage.

    7/10
  • Couples

    Provides ample space with multiple reception rooms and bedrooms, situated just 400 metres from The Diamond. It is well-suited for couples looking to establish a home close to local shops and services.

    7/10
  • Empty Nesters

    Being close to town conveniences and supermarkets makes daily life straightforward. However, the multi-story layout and maintenance requirements associated with an older 1954 build should be considered for long-term comfort.

    7/10
  • Retirees

    The proximity to town amenities is a strong advantage for retirees. On the downside, stairs are required to reach the bedrooms and shower room, and the home's energy efficiency and repair needs require attention.

    6/10

Work

3 areas
  • Remote Working

    Offers multiple reception rooms that can be adapted as home offices, though prospective buyers should verify local broadband connectivity speeds.

    6/10
  • Hybrid Commuting

    Conveniently located within Donegal Town for local professional needs, though commuting to major employment cities requires significant travel time.

    6/10
  • Retired

    Well-situated for retirees wanting proximity to town amenities, healthcare services, and shops without relying heavily on a car for basic tasks.

    7/10

Practical

8 areas
  • Minimalist Design

    Traditional layout featuring separate reception rooms, an open fireplace, and older structural elements rather than open-plan minimalist architecture.

    4/10
  • Ageing in Place

    While there is a ground floor W.C. with space to add a shower, the main sleeping and showering facilities are located upstairs, and the property requires general upgrading.

    5/10
  • Low Maintenance

    Constructed in 1954 with extensions in the 1980s, the property holds an F BER rating and requires inspection regarding a reported roof tile leak and ceiling issue.

    4/10
  • Secure Gated Entry

    The property features an open front garden area leading to the street with no gated or enclosed security perimeter currently installed.

    3/10
  • Flexible Floor Plans

    Includes a ground floor sitting room that can easily double as a bedroom, plus a large kitchen/dining area and potential to add a shower to the downstairs W.C.

    7/10
  • Heritage Home

    Built in 1954, it has established character and history within the area, though it is not classified as a protected historical landmark.

    5/10
  • Ecological Setup

    Equipped with oil-fired central heating and holding a low F BER rating, indicating that energy efficiency improvements are necessary.

    3/10
  • Outdoor areas

    Benefits from a large garden area to the front (with potential for off-street parking) and a spacious paved patio area to the rear.

    6/10

Interests

9 areas
  • Gardening

    Features lawns to the front and a large paved/patio area to the rear. The front garden offers potential for landscaping or conversion to off-street parking.

    5/10
  • Walking

    Exceptionally well-positioned only 400 metres from The Diamond and 350 metres from local retail, making daily errands and walks around town highly accessible.

    9/10
  • Gym

    Town-based location allows reasonable access to local fitness facilities and community resources within Donegal Town.

    6/10
  • Cycling

    Flat town approach makes cycling to local shops and amenities straightforward, though road safety and bike storage should be evaluated.

    6/10
  • Golf

    Regional golf courses require a short drive, as the property itself is situated in a residential neighborhood close to the town center.

    5/10
  • Fishing

    The broader Donegal area offers strong fishing opportunities, though accessing rivers or coastal spots requires travel from this central residential address.

    5/10
  • Horse Riding

    Equestrian facilities are typically located further out in the surrounding countryside rather than directly accessible from this town property.

    4/10
  • Water Sports

    Proximity to coastal waters makes water sports attainable with a short drive, but the home itself is strictly urban-adjacent.

    4/10
  • Entertaining

    Includes a large rear patio area and a spacious kitchen/dining room equipped with a solid fuel stove, though the living spaces would benefit from modernization.

    6/10

Lifestyle

5 areas
  • Quiet Living

    Situated in a quiet established residential area, though its close proximity to the town centre and upcoming retail developments means some everyday suburban activity is to be expected.

    7/10
  • Rural Living

    This is a town-based semi-detached property within walking distance of the central diamond and retail stores, offering little of the isolation or acreage associated with rural living.

    3/10
  • Village Living

    Located just 400 metres from The Diamond in Donegal Town, residents can easily access local shops, services, and community events on foot.

    8/10
  • Coastal Living

    While Donegal features coastal amenities nearby, this specific inland residential property is positioned within the town infrastructure rather than directly on the coast.

    4/10
  • Urban Living

    Provides convenient access to town-level amenities, services, and forthcoming shopping options within a short walking distance, offering a practical town setting.

    6/10

Social

6 areas
  • Community Involvement

    Being part of an established residential neighborhood close to the town center supports integration into local community life and events.

    7/10
  • Café Culture

    The central location only 400 metres from The Diamond places numerous local cafes, restaurants, and social venues within easy walking distance.

    8/10
  • Nightlife

    Town-center proximity means pubs, hotels, and evening entertainment spots are accessible on foot.

    7/10
  • Health/Wellness groups

    Proximity to the town center allows reasonable access to local wellness classes, community groups, and healthcare services.

    6/10
  • Networking Opportunities

    Primarily a residential town setting, so professional networking would likely rely on traveling to regional business hubs or digital connectivity.

    5/10
  • Tech-Hub Connectivity

    The property provides a physical base for remote work, but broadband speeds and infrastructure capability should be independently verified by the buyer.

    5/10

Listing information

Agent
Anderson Auctioneers
Phone
0749722888
Published on HouseDelve
26 September 2026
Correction
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Property reference: HD-A5E018HouseDelve · Republic of Ireland

Report checks

Sources used: Public marketplace, Property Price Register, and grounded web research where available.

Automated quality checks: Passed

Estimate — not advice. Actual costs and outcomes can vary materially. Obtain current quotations and professional advice before making financial or property decisions.