Photograph 1 of 11 of Gowlane North, Cork, Donoughmore, Co. Cork
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Gowlane North, Cork, Donoughmore, Co. CorkP32DP86

€180,000

3 Bed~80 m²~BER G

What you'll like:

  • Generous Asking Price: Priced affordably at €180,000, this property provides a low entry point for buyers looking to take on a substantial rural renovation project.
  • Vacant Property Grants: The long-term vacancy of the building means buyers should investigate potential eligibility for lucrative government refurbishment and derelict property grants.
  • Extensive Outbuildings: The inclusion of numerous traditional outhouses and a large Steeltech shed offers exceptional storage space for tools, machinery, or hobby farming.
  • Private Rural Setting: Situated in scenic Donoughmore, the property provides peaceful countryside living surrounded by mature hedging and open, tranquil views.
  • Substantial Plot Size: Featuring fields to the front and side, the expansive site delivers generous outdoor space with great scope for landscaping and extension.
  • Commuter Accessibility: Despite the quiet rural location, both Cork City and Mallow remain easily accessible for commuters seeking a balanced countryside lifestyle.
  • Blank Canvas Potential: The traditional detached layout acts as a complete blank canvas, allowing purchasers to fully redesign and modernize the interior spaces.
  • Solid Structural Base: Featuring a recognizable traditional footprint, the bungalow offers a tangible framework for a rewarding long-term home improvement undertaking.
  • Character Living Room: The living area retains original charm with a solid-fuel stove and exposed stone surround, giving a head start on rustic aesthetic appeal.
  • Workshop Opportunities: The large yard and multiple outbuildings create fantastic potential for tradespeople or hobbyists needing dedicated workspace outside the main home.
  • Flexible Redevelopment Scope: Existing ancillary structures provide various alternative use options, subject to obtaining the necessary local planning permissions from the council.
  • Natural Light Proportions: Several rooms benefit from decent window placements, ensuring that future interior layouts can capture good daylight during refurbishment.
  • Front-Facing Bedrooms: The front bedrooms feature good floor space and pleasant outward aspects, providing comfortable proportions once fully upgraded by contractors.
  • Rear Kitchen Potential: The rear-facing kitchen location offers a practical layout baseline for creating a modern open-plan culinary space connected to the garden.
  • Boundaries and Privacy: The plot is well-defined by mature boundary screening, ensuring a good level of seclusion from neighboring rural agricultural land.
  • Future Value Addition: Completing a comprehensive refurbishment on such a large plot should significantly increase the overall market value upon project completion.
  • No Upper Chain: Being vacant for years implies a straightforward purchase process without complex upward chains or extended occupant moving delays.
  • Extension Potential: The large surrounding grounds allow ample physical room to extend the existing 80 square meter footprint, subject to local planning rules.
  • Local Amenities Proximity: Convenient access to nearby schools, shops, and transport links ensures everyday conveniences remain within a reasonable driving distance.
  • Investment Upside: Successful utilization of available improvement grants could dramatically lower net renovation costs, enhancing the investment return for savvy buyers.

But keep in mind:

  • Severe BER Rating: The property carries a failing G energy rating, indicating massive thermal inefficiency that will require extensive insulation and heating upgrades.
  • Substantial Refurbishment Needed: Having been vacant for years, the residence requires a complete gut-renovation and significant capital investment to become habitable.
  • Grant Uncertainty: Buyers must independently verify if local authority criteria are met for vacant property grants before relying on them for project funding.
  • Hidden Structural Issues: Given the vacant and distressed state, buyers should budget for unforeseen structural, damp, or timber decay defects discovered during works.
  • Lack of Bathrooms: The current listing details do not mention bathroom facilities, suggesting a complete new plumbing installation will be entirely necessary.
  • Restricted Floor Area: At only 80 square meters, the compact footprint requires careful architectural planning to maximize comfortable living space for a family.
  • Planning Permission Hurdles: Any major structural alterations, change of outbuilding use, or substantial extensions will require formal local authority planning approval.
  • Services and Utilities: Buyers must investigate the condition and connectivity of essential rural services like septic tanks, private wells, and electricity supply.
  • Heavy Contractor Reliance: The scale of dereliction means DIY efforts will be insufficient, requiring dependable professional builders and project management oversight.
  • Weather Exposure: The rural countryside setting exposes the building fabric to harsh weather elements, potentially accelerating exterior degradation over time.
  • Access and Roadways: Rural approach roads should be inspected to ensure heavy construction vehicles and cement mixers can safely reach the site.
  • Asbestos and Hazardous Materials: Older vacant buildings frequently contain hazardous materials like asbestos or lead paint that demand safe, costly professional removal.
  • Overgrown Grounds: The extensive yards and fields will require significant clearance and remediation work before becoming usable amenity or garden spaces.
  • Drainage and Surface Water: Low-lying sections of the plot or yard should be checked for proper surface water drainage to prevent pooling near foundations.
  • Security Risks: Vacant properties can attract trespassing or vandalism, meaning immediate temporary fencing and security measures may be required upon purchase.
  • Financing Complexities: Securing a standard residential mortgage on a derelict G-rated property can be exceptionally difficult, often requiring specialized renovation loans.
  • Boundary Verification: Buyers should have their legal representative thoroughly verify all folio maps and physical boundary lines against potential agricultural encroachment.
  • Heating System Replacement: The presence of only a single solid-fuel stove indicates a complete absence of central heating, demanding a brand new installation.
  • Roof and Timber Integrity: The extended period of vacancy means the roof timbers and coverings require rigorous inspection for rot, leaks, and sagging.
  • Project Timeline Delays: Navigating supply chain issues, contractor availability, and grant approvals can cause extensive delays in completing the habitable transformation.

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 moderately undervalued compared with the available evidence.
  • The asking price appears attractively positioned because it sits well below typical rural transactions in the wider area, reflecting the substantial capital expenditure required to bring a long-vacant, highly dilapidated structure up to modern habitation standards.
  • Upward valuation signals stem from the inclusion of extensive outbuildings, surrounding agricultural fields, and potential eligibility for lucrative government renovation and derelict property grants which significantly offset upfront modernisation costs.
  • Such a price point could be undermined by hidden structural defects, extreme remediation expenses for the poor energy rating, or restrictive local planning policies regarding rural housing expansion and agricultural shed conversions.
  • Overall, the figure effectively balances the heavy discount needed for a severe fixer-upper against the underlying land value and generous plot size inherent in this quiet countryside setting.

Build Analysis

What we know from similar construction types

  • The property is a traditional detached bungalow spanning approximately 80 square metres, set within a rural location and having been vacant for a number of years.
  • The listing indicates the residence is in need of substantial refurbishment and significant works to make it habitable, suggesting potential structural, damp, electrical, and plumbing issues typical of long-term vacant rural properties.
  • Buyers should investigate the structural integrity of the main building and outhouses, inspect for rising or penetrating damp, and assess the condition of the roof and window frames.
  • Verification of existing septic tank or wastewater treatment facilities and the private water supply source should be undertaken.
  • Any plans for extension, conversion of outbuildings, or structural alterations will require checking against local planning regulations.

Retrofit Cost*

Possible renovating / insulating expenditure

  • Given the BER rating of G and the requirement for substantial refurbishment across an 80 square metre footprint, a deep retrofit is estimated to cost between 60,000 and 90,000 euros or more.
  • This estimated range accounts for comprehensive insulation upgrades, installation of a modern heating system, window and door replacements, and necessary electrical and plumbing overhauls to bring the energy efficiency up to a modern standard.
  • Costs may be partially offset by potential eligibility for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and derelict property grant top-up, subject to local authority approval.

Heating cost*

Estimated expense to heat this property every year

  • Estimated annual heating cost: €2,500 to €3,500.
  • Explanation: Given the 80 m² floor area and a very poor BER rating of G, the property currently lacks adequate insulation and energy efficiency. Heating costs will be exceptionally high until substantial insulation, window upgrades, and modern heating systems are installed as part of the renovation.

Pollution Safe

9/10

Environmental situation to investigate

  • The property is located in a rural countryside setting with no apparent major industrial facilities, incinerators, or active landfills in immediate proximity.
  • Any historical agricultural or domestic waste practices should be independently verified by the buyer as part of standard pre-purchase due diligence.

Flood Safe

8/10

Water overflow reports to follow up

  • The rural inland location generally indicates a lower likelihood of coastal or major fluvial flooding, though local surface water pooling after heavy rain should be investigated.
  • Buyers should consult local authority flood maps and historical records to confirm the specific site's vulnerability to localized flooding.

Recent Local Sales

Verified residential transactions published in the previous five years

Sales on the same street or estate

No verified results were found for this group in the previous five years.

Recent sales in the wider Donoughmore area

  • KNOCKANE, DONOUGHMORE, CORK

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €625,000.00
  • COOLICKA, DONOUGHMORE, CO CORK

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €412,000.00
  • BALLYCUNNINGHAM, DONOUGHMORE, CORK

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €479,000.00
  • GRAND VIEW HOUSE, MEENACHONEY, DONOUGHMORE

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €322,000.00
  • KNOCKYROURKE, DONOUGHMORE, CORK

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €515,000.00

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 €1,800 based on 1% of the asking price for a residential property under €1,000,000.
  • Solicitor legal fees: roughly €1,500 to €3,000 excluding outlay and VAT, depending on the firm chosen.
  • Land registration fees: around €400 to €800 for registry of deeds and property registration authority charges.
  • Property valuation fees: approximately €150 to €300 for a standard mortgage or independent valuation.
  • Surveyor fees: roughly €600 to €1,200 depending on the depth of structural survey required for a renovation project.
  • Annual home insurance: estimated between €500 and €1,000 per year, though higher premiums or specialized vacant property coverage may apply due to the current condition.

Forum Talk

What people are saying about this area

  • Local discussion groups often highlight Donoughmore as a quiet, scenic rural community with a strong sense of local engagement.
  • Residents frequently discuss the benefits of country living combined with reasonable commuting distances to Cork City and Mallow.
  • Community forums occasionally share updates on local road maintenance, rural infrastructural improvements, and community events.
  • Prospective buyers in the wider rural Cork area frequently exchange advice on navigating grants for vacant and derelict property refurbishments.

LifeFit Assessment

How well this property may suit your lifestyle

Family

7 areas
  • Young Children

    The property requires substantial refurbishment and is currently in a derelict or vacant state, making it unsuitable for young children until significant renovation works are completed.

    3/10
  • Teenagers

    While the generous outdoor space and outbuildings offer great potential, the current need for major modernization means it is not ready for teenage occupants right away.

    4/10
  • Multi-generational Living

    The extensive site and outbuildings provide ample footprint for expansion or adaptation, though substantial capital investment and planning permission would be required to accommodate multiple generations.

    4/10
  • Single Buyers

    An adventurous single buyer with a budget for renovation could find an exciting project here, aided by potential grants, but it requires heavy lifting in terms of construction work.

    5/10
  • Couples

    Couples looking for a countryside project to stamp their own style on a home will find plenty of scope, provided they are prepared to live through or manage a major renovation.

    6/10
  • Empty Nesters

    The heavy maintenance demands of a completely vacant property requiring total refurbishment make this less than ideal for empty nesters seeking an easy transition.

    3/10
  • Retirees

    Due to the G energy rating, extensive repair works needed, and rural location, this home is poorly suited for retirees unless extensive modernization is carried out first.

    3/10

Work

3 areas
  • Remote Working

    The quiet rural environment is peaceful for home offices, but buyers should investigate local broadband availability and speed thoroughly.

    5/10
  • Hybrid Commuting

    Cork City and Mallow are accessible, making hybrid commuting feasible by car, though the rural starting point adds travel time.

    5/10
  • Retired

    Retirees would need to factor in the heavy upkeep of a renovation project and reliance on driving for daily errands.

    4/10

Practical

8 areas
  • Ageing in Place

    The property requires total modernization and lacks accessible layout features in its current state, presenting hurdles for ageing in place without major adaptation.

    3/10
  • Low Maintenance

    With a G BER rating, vacancy over a number of years, outbuildings requiring upkeep, and grounds to manage, this is a high-maintenance proposition.

    1/10
  • Secure Gated Entry

    The property sits on a private site with mature hedging, but formal secure gated entry would need to be installed by the buyer.

    4/10
  • Minimalist Design

    The traditional structure provides a blank canvas, allowing a buyer to implement minimalist design principles during the extensive overhaul.

    5/10
  • Flexible Floor Plans

    Because the interior requires complete gutting and refurbishment, there is great flexibility to reconfigure the layout to modern standards, subject to professional advice.

    6/10
  • Heritage Home

    The dwelling retains traditional features like a solid-fuel stove with an exposed stone surround, giving it authentic older character.

    7/10
  • Ecological Setup

    While it offers a rural plot suitable for green living, the current G energy rating indicates poor thermal efficiency that requires major eco-upgrades.

    4/10
  • Outdoor areas

    Features an extensive range of traditional outhouses, a large private yard, a Steeltech shed, and surrounding fields to the front and side.

    9/10

Interests

9 areas
  • Gardening

    The property includes fields to the front and side, a large site, and mature hedging, offering a fantastic canvas for keen gardeners.

    8/10
  • Walking

    The surrounding rural roads and countryside setting provide good opportunities for outdoor walking, though dedicated footpaths may be limited.

    7/10
  • Gym

    There are no commercial gym facilities nearby, meaning residents must rely on home setups or travel toward larger towns.

    2/10
  • Cycling

    Quiet rural country lanes offer scenic cycling routes, though local roads can lack dedicated cycling infrastructure.

    6/10
  • Golf

    Standard rural location implies that accessing established golf courses will require a drive to nearby towns or cities.

    4/10
  • Fishing

    The general rural Cork region offers various inland angling possibilities, though buyers should verify specific local river access.

    5/10
  • Horse Riding

    With extensive outbuildings, fields, and a rural setting, this property is exceptionally well-suited for keeping horses or equestrian hobbies.

    8/10
  • Water Sports

    Inland rural setting offers no immediate access to water sports facilities.

    1/10
  • Entertaining

    While the outdoor space and yard are vast, the current derelict state of the interior prevents any immediate hosting capability.

    4/10

Lifestyle

5 areas
  • Quiet Living

    Situated in the open countryside of Donoughmore with mature hedging and private grounds, the setting offers exceptional peace and tranquility.

    9/10
  • Rural Living

    This is a quintessential rural property featuring surrounding fields, open countryside views, traditional outhouses, and a large private yard.

    10/10
  • Village Living

    While within reach of local amenities, the property is distinctly rural rather than nestled within an active village community core.

    4/10
  • Coastal Living

    The property is located inland in County Cork and has no proximity to coastal amenities.

    1/10
  • Urban Living

    Set deep in the countryside, urban conveniences are some distance away, though Cork City and Mallow are accessible by car.

    2/10

Social

6 areas
  • Community Involvement

    Rural Donoughmore has a local community spirit, but integrating will require active participation in local parish and community groups.

    6/10
  • Café Culture

    There is virtually no café culture immediately on hand given the isolated rural positioning of the address.

    2/10
  • Nightlife

    Nightlife options are absent locally; residents must travel into larger urban centers like Cork City for entertainment.

    1/10
  • Health/Wellness groups

    Local wellness or fitness groups are sparse in the immediate rural townland and typically require traveling to nearby towns.

    3/10
  • Networking Opportunities

    Professional networking is minimal in this rural pocket, making it heavily reliant on digital connectivity or travel.

    2/10
  • Tech-Hub Connectivity

    While Cork City has tech hubs, the immediate rural location lacks local tech spaces, placing total emphasis on home internet reliability.

    3/10

Listing information

Agent
O'Mahony Walsh
Phone
021 487 3466
Published on HouseDelve
13 September 2026
Correction
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Property reference: HD-CB67C0HouseDelve · Republic of Ireland

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