Island Road, Newmarket, Co. CorkP51R7D5
€120,000
2 Bed~1 Bath~74 m²~BER G
What you'll like:
- Affordable entry price: The €120,000 asking price provides an accessible entry point for buyers looking for a low-cost capital outlay on a standalone rural property project.
- Generous site size: The property sits on approximately 0.21 acres, offering enough outdoor space for landscaping, parking, and potential structural expansion subject to planning consent.
- Rural charm and privacy: Mature surrounding trees create a peaceful, private setting with attractive views of the open countryside that enhance the appeal of country living.
- Traditional cottage character: The original two-up, two-down layout features authentic architectural heritage that appeals to purchasers seeking a distinctive restoration project with genuine historic personality.
- Existing extension footprint: The inclusion of an existing extension gives a head start on expanding the usable floor area compared to starting structural additions completely from scratch.
- Convenient proximity to town: Situated approximately one kilometre from Newmarket, the property provides easy access to local shops, schools, and everyday community amenities without excessive driving.
- Short drive to Kanturk: Being located just eight kilometres from Kanturk widens the availability of secondary schools, larger supermarkets, and professional services within a convenient commute.
- Vacant property grant potential: Prospective buyers may qualify for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and derelict property top-up, significantly reducing the net cost of the extensive renovation required.
- SEAI energy grants: Eligibility for relevant Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland grants can help subsidize the heavy insulation and heating upgrades needed to modernize the dwelling.
- Ample side parking: The site layout provides dedicated space to the side of the structure for convenient off-street parking during and after the construction works.
- Scope for further expansion: The generous plot dimensions allow purchasers to explore building side or rear extensions to increase living space, subject to local planning permission.
- Stable asking price: The price has remained firm at €120,000 since tracking began, indicating a realistic and unfluctuating seller expectation in the current market environment.
- Manageable floor area: The compact 74.32 square metre footprint keeps projected material quantities and overall construction management relatively straightforward for a competent builder or DIYer.
- Accessible countryside setting: Combining a quiet rural atmosphere with close proximity to established settlements avoids the extreme isolation associated with more remote rural properties.
- Local contractor availability: Regional builders and tradespeople operating around Newmarket and North Cork are generally familiar with traditional stone and mortar cottage restorations.
- Clear project scope: Because the building is explicitly described as derelict, buyers enter the transaction with eyes wide open regarding the total overhaul required.
- Investment upside: Successful completion of the renovation could yield a comfortable modern home with a market value well exceeding the combined purchase and construction costs.
- Autonomous living potential: The rural garden plot offers ample room for polytunnels, vegetable patches, or outdoor storage sheds to support a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
- No upper chain complications: Derelict properties of this nature are typically sold unencumbered by complex occupant chains, which can streamline the purchase closing process.
- Customization freedom: Buying a blank canvas shell allows the ultimate occupier to design internal layouts, finishes, and heating systems entirely to their own personal taste.
But keep in mind:
- Severe structural dereliction: The listing explicitly describes the building as a traditional derelict cottage, indicating that major structural remediation, roof repairs, and damp proofing are essential.
- Lowest BER rating: The property holds a G energy rating, reflecting complete a lack of insulation, inefficient thermal performance, and a requirement for total energetic overhaul.
- High energy performance index: The energy performance indicator sits at a very poor 410.53 kWh/m2/yr, demonstrating massive heat loss that will drive up utility bills unless heavily mitigated.
- Uncertain grant approval: Government refurbishment and derelict grants are subject to strict eligibility criteria and formal approval, meaning buyers should not rely on them unconditionally.
- Planning permission risks: Any proposed side or rear extensions will require local authority planning consent, introducing regulatory delays, costs, and the risk of refusal.
- Extensive capital required: Beyond the €120,000 purchase price, buyers must budget substantial funds for comprehensive rebuilding, professional fees, utility connections, and contingency reserves.
- Unknown septic and water status: The listing does not detail private well or wastewater treatment facilities, so buyers must investigate whether existing infrastructure meets current environmental standards.
- Habitability timeline: The dwelling is currently uninhabitable, forcing purchasers to rent elsewhere or secure temporary accommodation while extensive renovation works are being carried out.
- Hidden asbestos or materials: Older derelict structures frequently contain hazardous materials like asbestos or lead piping that require specialized, costly professional removal.
- Boundary verification needed: Buyers should inspect land registry maps carefully with a solicitor to ensure the exact c. 0.21-acre site boundaries match physical fencing on the ground.
- Access and entrance safety: The approach from Island Road should be assessed for adequate sightlines and vehicular safety, particularly if heavy construction traffic needs entry.
- Overgrown site clearance: Mature trees and heavy overgrowth will require clearing and root management before any landscaping or exterior extension work can safely commence.
- Lack of internal fixtures: Traditional two-up two-down cottages often lack functioning kitchens, bathrooms, heating systems, and modern electrical wiring, requiring complete first-fix installations.
- Uncertain structural foundations: Older rural cottages frequently lack proper damp-proof membranes and foundations, potentially leading to rising damp and wall stabilization challenges.
- Utility connection costs: Bringing electricity, telephone, and high-speed broadband services up to a modern standard on a derelict site can incur significant utility provider fees.
- Lack of property type data: The exact legal classification is not provided in basic records, requiring thorough title checks to confirm residential use rights and exemptions.
- Inflationary construction costs: Building material inflation and labour shortages in the regional construction sector could cause renovation budgets to escalate beyond initial estimates.
- Council compliance standards: Meeting modern building regulations for extensions and thermal upgrades on a protected or traditional vernacular structure can be technically demanding.
- Project management burden: Managing a derelict property overhaul demands significant time, technical oversight, and stress resilience from buyers acting as their own project managers.
- Resale liquidity risks: Specialized rural restoration projects appeal to a niche segment of buyers, which may impact future resale speed compared to turnkey suburban housing.
Price positioning
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- The asking price of one hundred and twenty thousand euros appears somewhat overvalued when accounting for the extensive derelict condition and the severe energy performance deficit indicated by the G rating.
- Valuation signals are heavily influenced by the availability of vacant property refurbishment grants, which inflate buyer willingness to pay upfront for structural shell opportunities requiring capital-intensive overhauls.
- Support for this price relies entirely on anticipated renovation subsidies and high demand for rural sites, whereas significant structural defects or unexpected construction inflation could severely undermine the investment case.
- The stable price history since initial listing suggests a firm vendor stance, leveraging the current appetite for countryside renovation projects within reach of local town amenities.
Build Analysis
What we know from similar construction types
- The property is described as a traditional derelict cottage of a two-up, two-down layout with an existing extension, sitting on a c. 0.21-acre site.
- Given its derelict status, a buyer should investigate the structural integrity of the existing walls, roof, and foundation, as well as the condition of any existing services (water, electricity, and sewage).
- Prospective buyers should verify the exact boundaries of the 0.21-acre site and investigate any planning history or restrictions regarding future extensions or modifications.
- Potential buyers should investigate eligibility for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the derelict property top-up, which are commonly utilized for projects of this nature.
Retrofit Cost*
Possible renovating / insulating expenditure
- The property has a BER rating of G, indicating extremely poor energy efficiency and the need for a comprehensive deep retrofit.
- A full deep retrofit for a 74.32 m² cottage of this age and condition—including complete insulation upgrades, windows, doors, heating systems, and renewable energy integration—is estimated to cost between €50,000 and €80,000 or more, depending on the extent of structural work required and reliance on contractor pricing.
- SEAI grants should be investigated to help offset a portion of the deep-retrofit costs, subject to meeting the required energy uplift criteria.
Heating cost*
Estimated expense to heat this property every year
- Estimated annual heating cost: difficult to project precisely given the current derelict condition and G BER rating.
- Explanation: With a floor area of 74.32 square meters and a very poor energy performance indicator, any temporary or future heating would be highly inefficient without substantial insulation and modernization works.
Pollution Safe
9/10Environmental situation to investigate
- The property is located in a peaceful rural setting outside Newmarket, appearing well removed from heavy industrial sites, major waste facilities, or active incinerators.
- Any potential legacy agricultural or localized land-use concerns should be verified as part of standard pre-purchase environmental due diligence.
Flood Safe
8/10Water overflow reports to follow up
- The site occupies an elevated countryside position on Island Road, appearing largely free from major urban river flood zones based on regional topography.
- Localised surface water accumulation during heavy rainfall events is a general possibility in rural areas and should be checked visually and via local enquiry.
Recent Local Sales
Verified residential transactions published in the previous five years
Sales on the same street or estate
ISLAND RD, NEWMARKET, CORK
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €38,000.00
Recent sales in the wider Newmarket area
LISMIRE, NEWMARKET, CO. CORK
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €260,000.00
LOWER ROAD, NEWMARKET, CO CORK
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €545,000.00
GRANAVORRIG, NEWMARKET, CORK
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €178,000.00
CHARLEVILLE RD, NEWMARKET, CORK
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €295,000.00
MOUNTKEEFFE, NEWMARKET, CORK
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €160,000.00
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
- Estimated stamp duty: €1,200 — 1% of €120,000.
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Based on the asking price shown on this page, using standard residential stamp-duty rates. No adjustments are made for VAT, reliefs, mixed-use property or additional land. The final purchase price and your circumstances may change the amount payable.
- Solicitor legal fees: approximately 1,500 euro to 3,000 euro plus VAT.
- Land registration fees: approximately 400 euro to 800 euro depending on the property value.
- Property valuation fees: approximately 150 euro to 300 euro.
- Surveyor fees: approximately 500 euro to 1,000 euro, particularly recommended for assessing a renovation project.
- Annual home insurance: approximately 350 euro to 700 euro, noting that a derelict structure may require specialized vacant or under-construction policy coverage.
Forum Talk
What people are saying about this area
- Local discussions in the Newmarket and wider Cork county area frequently highlight interest in rural property restoration projects and the uptake of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
- Residents often discuss the scenic rural amenities and community atmosphere around Newmarket, alongside the convenience of being within reach of Kanturk for broader services.
- Community forums frequently mention the appeal of traditional cottage renovations for buyers looking to take on project homes in private countryside settings.
- Local commentary often notes the importance of assessing structural integrity and upgrading energy efficiency for older rural dwellings carrying a G BER rating.
LifeFit Assessment
How well this property may suit your lifestyle
Family
7 areas- Young Children2/10
The property is a traditional derelict cottage requiring extensive renovation, making it unsafe and entirely unsuitable for young children until significant structural work is completed.
- Teenagers2/10
Due to the current derelict state of the property and lack of habitable space, teenagers cannot reside here safely during the restoration phase.
- Multi-generational Living1/10
With only 74.32 square metres of floor area and a current two-up, two-down layout in a derelict condition, multi-generational living is impossible without substantial rebuilding and expansion.
- Single Buyers6/10
For a single buyer with a strong vision and renovation budget, the affordable asking price of 120,000 euros presents an exciting DIY or project management opportunity.
- Couples6/10
Couples looking for a countryside restoration project will find potential here, provided they have the financial resources and time to bring the cottage up to modern living standards.
- Empty Nesters5/10
Empty nesters seeking a manageable rural footprint might appreciate the project, though the heavy construction work required could be daunting.
- Retirees3/10
The requirement for major renovation works and a G energy rating makes this a challenging prospect for retirees unless they delegate all construction management.
Work
3 areas- Remote Working5/10
While the peaceful rural setting suits remote work in theory, buyers should verify local broadband speeds and connectivity options before committing.
- Hybrid Commuting3/10
The rural County Cork location involves significant travel times to major employment hubs, making frequent hybrid commuting challenging.
- Retired5/10
Suitability for retirement depends entirely on the buyer's appetite for managing a heavy refurbishment project.
Practical
8 areas- Ageing in Place2/10
A two-up, two-down derelict cottage with a G energy rating is entirely unsuitable for ageing in place without major redesign, accessibility upgrades, and energy retrofitting.
- Low Maintenance1/10
The property requires complete renovation, meaning maintenance demands will be exceptionally high initially.
- Secure Gated Entry3/10
The site is open with ample parking to the side, and any security measures like gates would need to be installed by the buyer.
- Minimalist Design4/10
The compact 74.32 square meter footprint offers a blank canvas for a minimalist interior design approach during the rebuild.
- Flexible Floor Plans5/10
Scope exists to reconfigure the interior and explore extensions to the side or rear, subject to planning permission.
- Heritage Home7/10
The traditional two-up, two-down cottage structure offers authentic character and heritage charm for restoration enthusiasts.
- Ecological Setup3/10
The current G BER rating indicates poor energy efficiency, though relevant SEAI energy-efficiency grants could support a deep retrofit.
- Outdoor areas7/10
The private c. 0.21-acre site features mature trees and ample parking, providing a pleasant outdoor space once landscaped.
Interests
9 areas- Gardening7/10
The c. 0.21-acre site featuring mature trees provides a solid canvas for landscaping and gardening enthusiasts once the dwelling is restored.
- Walking6/10
The rural roads surrounding Newmarket offer pleasant countryside walking routes, though pedestrian infrastructure may be limited.
- Gym2/10
There are no immediate gym facilities on the doorstep, requiring travel into nearby towns for fitness centers.
- Cycling6/10
Quiet rural roads provide decent opportunities for cycling, though hilly local topography should be factored in.
- Golf4/10
Golfing enthusiasts will need to travel to nearby towns as there are no courses immediately adjacent to the property.
- Fishing5/10
The general region of Duhallow offers various angling opportunities in local rivers, though buyers should verify specific nearby access points.
- Horse Riding6/10
The rural Cork location lends itself well to equestrian pursuits, with potential for local stables and riding hacks.
- Water Sports2/10
Being an inland rural property, water sports opportunities are minimal locally.
- Entertaining3/10
The current derelict condition precludes any entertaining, though a future renovated layout with outdoor space could offer potential.
Lifestyle
5 areas- Quiet Living9/10
Set within mature surroundings on a private 0.21-acre site, the property enjoys a peaceful setting with attractive countryside views.
- Rural Living9/10
Located around 1km from Newmarket and 8km from Kanturk, the cottage offers a classic countryside lifestyle within convenient reach of local towns.
- Village Living7/10
Proximity to the market town of Newmarket provides reasonable access to local shops, schools, and everyday amenities.
- Coastal Living1/10
The property is located inland in County Cork with no coastal proximity.
- Urban Living2/10
This is strictly a rural setting far removed from city environments or major urban centers.
Social
6 areas- Community Involvement6/10
Proximity to Newmarket offers opportunities to integrate into local community life, sports clubs, and associations.
- Café Culture3/10
Café options are limited to what is available in the nearby small market town.
- Nightlife2/10
Nightlife options are minimal in this rural area, restricted to local pubs in Newmarket.
- Health/Wellness groups4/10
Local wellness groups or classes would typically be accessed via Newmarket or Kanturk.
- Networking Opportunities2/10
Professional networking opportunities are sparse in this rural countryside setting.
- Tech-Hub Connectivity1/10
There are no tech hubs in the immediate vicinity; buyers should verify fiber broadband availability.
Listing information
- Agent
- O'Connell Auctioneers
- Phone
- 022 43433
- Current status
- active
- Published on HouseDelve
- 14 October 2026
- Correction
- Report an issue
HD-A6E8DEHouseDelve · Republic of IrelandReport 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.