Photograph 1 of 12 of Main Street, Kilfenora, Kilfenora, Clare
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Main Street, Kilfenora, Kilfenora, ClareV95R263

€225,000

4 Bed~2 Bath~121 m²~BER G

What you'll like:

  • Village Centre Location: Situated right on Main Street in Kilfenora, putting local shops, cafés, pubs, and historic cultural amenities within effortless walking distance for daily convenience.
  • Historic Character Appeal: Built in 1850, this traditional two-storey detached house features wonderful period charm that offers a unique aesthetic not found in modern housing developments.
  • Generous Floor Area: Providing approximately 121 square metres of interior space, the layout accommodates four bedrooms and two bathrooms to comfortably suit a growing family.
  • Attached Outbuilding Potential: Includes multiple stone-built outhouses and a side store room, presenting fantastic opportunities for conversion into workshops, studios, or additional storage space.
  • Independent Side Access: Features a separate side entrance leading to a large back yard, allowing for easy vehicle access, deliveries, or private parking development.
  • Proximity To Towns: Located only eight minutes from Lisdoonvarna and Ennistymon, ensuring fast access to secondary schools, supermarkets, and comprehensive regional services.
  • Gateway To The Burren: Positioned right on the edge of the iconic Burren landscape, offering exceptional natural scenery, outdoor recreation, and famous hiking trails nearby.
  • Tourist Region Advantage: Situated in a culturally rich West Clare area known for traditional Irish music, making it highly suitable for a holiday home or rental investment.
  • Flexible Layout Options: Comprises four to five potential bedrooms along with a separate sitting room, providing versatile accommodation choices to suit various lifestyle requirements.
  • Renovation Grant Availability: Current government upgrade grants may be accessible for this property, helping to offset the substantial financial investment required for modernization.
  • Established Community Setting: Located in the heart of a small, historic village famous for its ancient cathedral and high crosses, fostering a strong community atmosphere.
  • Natural Light Potential: Front and rear aspect rooms throughout the two-storey layout allow for bright interior spaces once modern window upgrades are completed.
  • Open Fireplace Features: Includes traditional open fireplaces in multiple rooms, adding cozy focal points and authentic character to the living spaces.
  • Compact Plot Size: Sitting on approximately 0.0956 acres, the yard size is manageable for upkeep while still providing ample outdoor space for a garden.
  • Detached Privacy Benefits: As a detached property, buyers will enjoy greater acoustic privacy from neighbors compared to semi-detached or terraced village houses.
  • Regional Connectivity: Positioned on the R481 road, facilitating straightforward travel connections to surrounding North Clare towns and coastal attractions like Doolin.
  • Investment Upside: Given the asking price of €225,000 relative to the generous footprint, successful refurbishment could yield significant capital appreciation upon completion.
  • Traditional Slate Roof: Features a slate roof covering which preserves the authentic vernacular exterior appearance of this mid-nineteenth-century vernacular building.
  • Versatile Use Potential: Suited equally well as a permanent family residence, a seasonal holiday retreat, or a commercial-style rental property investment.
  • Proximity To Education: Conveniently close to local schools in the surrounding area, making daily school runs manageable for families with children.

But keep in mind:

  • Extremely Poor Energy Rating: The property carries a G energy rating, indicating severe thermal inefficiency that will require comprehensive insulation and heating upgrades.
  • Major Renovations Required: The listing explicitly states the home needs major renovations to meet modern standards, translating into significant extra capital expenditure for buyers.
  • Outdated Heating System: Heating relies on an old range cooker in the kitchen and radiators, meaning the entire central heating infrastructure likely needs replacement.
  • Uncertain Structural Integrity: Dating back to 1850, buyers must commission a detailed structural survey to check for dampness, timber rot, and foundation settlement.
  • Outbuilding Condition Risks: Multiple outhouses feature felted or sheeted roofs that may require substantial repairs or complete reroofing due to weathering and age.
  • Asbestos Material Presence: Older rural properties renovated or built in past decades can contain hazardous materials like asbestos, requiring professional testing and safe removal.
  • Plumbing And Electrical Check: Services and fixtures have not been tested by the agent, so buyers should budget for a complete rewiring and replumbing of the house.
  • Potential Wastewater Issues: Buyers must verify whether the property connects to public mains sewage or relies on an aging septic tank requiring replacement.
  • Restricted Parking Space: While there is a back yard and side entrance, dedicated off-street parking layout details remain unclear and require verification.
  • Historic Preservation Limits: Due to the village centre location and age, local planning restrictions may apply to exterior alterations or modernization works.
  • Single-Skin Wall Concerns: Nineteenth-century stone walls often lack cavity insulation, which can lead to ongoing moisture ingress issues if not correctly retrofitted.
  • Sash Window Maintenance: Existing timber sash windows may be drafty or rotten, necessitating expensive specialist restoration or energy-efficient replacements.
  • Internal Damp Risk: Concrete ground floors and older stone masonry without modern damp-proof courses should be carefully inspected for rising or penetrating damp.
  • High Upfront Costs: Combining the purchase price with heavy renovation expenses means the total project cost could significantly exceed initial budget expectations.
  • Limited Bathroom Facilities: Only two bathrooms are currently configured for a potential four-to-five-bedroom house, requiring layout redesign for modern family living.
  • Kitchen Space Constraints: The L-shaped kitchen/dining room has segmented dimensions that may feel compact and outdated for contemporary open-plan lifestyles.
  • Roof Timber Inspection: The main slate roof structure needs a thorough engineering check to ensure rafters and timbers are free from woodworm and structural sag.
  • Boundary Clarity Verification: Buyers should ensure their legal representative meticulously checks the folio maps to confirm exact boundaries for the 0.0956-acre plot.
  • Water Supply Quality: Private or rural municipal water connections should be tested for pressure, flow rate, and overall potability during the due-diligence period.
  • Construction Disruption: Living through or managing a major refurbishment project on a historic village-centre site can involve logistical challenges and unexpected delays.

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 strongly overvalued compared with the available evidence.
  • The asking price of €225,000 appears notably overvalued because the property requires major structural renovations and carries a poor G energy rating, which demands significant additional capital expenditure before it can be comfortably inhabited.
  • Valuation signals heavily indicate an overpricing risk given the extensive modernization required throughout the 1850s structure, despite offering four bedrooms, attached outbuildings, and a central village location close to regional tourist attractions.
  • Potential buyers might find support for this price through available government renovation grants, the presence of multiple useful outbuildings, and the appeal of a historical West Clare property with excellent overall space and charm.
  • Conversely, substantial uncertainty regarding hidden repair costs, the heavy burden of bringing an old G-rated building to modern efficiency standards, and overall rural market dynamics could severely undermine this ambitious asking valuation.

Build Analysis

What we know from similar construction types

  • The property is a traditional two-storey detached house originally built in 1850, meaning a buyer should investigate potential issues typical of older structures, such as rising damp, timber decay, structural shifting, and the condition of original stone walls and outbuildings.
  • The house features a mix of PVC windows and traditional sash windows, and a buyer should check their insulation performance, seals, and overall condition.
  • Heating is provided by an oil-fired cooker/range and open fireplaces, which indicates an outdated heating system requiring comprehensive upgrading or replacement.
  • The presence of attached and external outbuildings requires investigation regarding their structural integrity, roof coverings (such as felted or sheeted roofs), and potential compliance or planning considerations for future use or conversion.

Retrofit Cost*

Possible renovating / insulating expenditure

  • Given the property's BER rating of G and its 1850 construction date, a comprehensive deep retrofit is required to bring the dwelling up to modern energy efficiency standards.
  • Estimated costs for a full deep retrofit on a ~121 m² traditional home typically range from €50,000 to €80,000+, depending on the extent of external and internal wall insulation, window replacements, installation of a modern renewable heating system (such as a heat pump), and airtightness improvements.
  • Substantial SEAI grants may be available to offset a portion of these deep retrofit costs, though a detailed technical assessment by a registered energy advisor is recommended to verify exact requirements and grant eligibility.

Heating cost*

Estimated expense to heat this property every year

  • Estimated annual heating cost: €2,800 - €3,800.
  • Explanation: Given the very poor G BER rating, an approximate floor area of 121 m², and reliance on an older range and open fires, the property will have high thermal losses, leading to significantly higher than average heating costs until deep retrofitting and insulation upgrades are completed.

Pollution Safe

9/10

Environmental situation to investigate

  • The property is situated in a rural village setting on the edge of the Burren, well away from major heavy industrial zones or large-scale waste incinerators.
  • Any potential localized legacy issues related to older septic or drainage arrangements should be independently verified during a standard structural survey.

Flood Safe

8/10

Water overflow reports to follow up

  • The village of Kilfenora is generally not noted as a high-risk flood zone, though prospective buyers should review local OPW maps for comprehensive catchment details.
  • Surface water drainage around older properties with yards and outbuildings should be inspected to ensure adequate runoff management.

Recent Local Sales

Verified residential transactions published in the previous five years

Sales on the same street or estate

  • MAIN STREET, KILFENORA, CO. CLARE

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €80,000.00
  • MAIN STREET, KILFENORA, COUNTY CLARE

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €145,000.00
  • MAIN STREET, KILFENORA, CO. CLARE

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €50,000.00

Recent sales in the wider Kilfenora area

  • BALLINACARRA, KILFENORA, CO CLARE

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €67,500.00
  • TOORMORE, INCHOVEA, KILFENORA

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €35,000.00
  • ENNIS RD, KILFENORA, CO CLARE

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €410,000.00
  • CARROWNAHOAN WESY, KILSHANNY, KILFENORA

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €302,500.00
  • BALLYBREEN, KILFENORA

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €450,000.00

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% of the purchase price up to €1 million, amounting to €2,250 for this property.
  • Solicitor legal fees: Generally range between €1,500 and €3,000 plus VAT and outlays.
  • Land registration fees: Typically around €175 to €700 depending on the property value and registration type.
  • Property valuation fees: Usually between €150 and €300 for mortgage purposes.
  • Surveyor fees: Ranging from €500 to €1,200 depending on the level of detail required, which is particularly important given the property requires major renovations.
  • Annual home insurance: Estimated between €400 and €800 per year depending on the policy and rebuilding costs.

Forum Talk

What people are saying about this area

  • Locals and community forums frequently highlight Kilfenora's rich heritage, noting its famous association with traditional Irish music and the Kilfenora Céilí Band.
  • Residents often discuss the charming rural atmosphere of living on the edge of the Burren, appreciating the quiet village lifestyle combined with proximity to larger North Clare towns.
  • Community conversations often touch upon the appeal of historic village properties, emphasizing both the character of older homes and the commitment required for major renovation projects.
  • Local groups frequently share news regarding community events, tourism around the historic cathedral and high crosses, and updates on local amenities in the surrounding area.

LifeFit Assessment

How well this property may suit your lifestyle

Family

7 areas
  • Young Children

    The property offers four bedrooms and a large backyard, providing plenty of room for children to play safely outdoors. However, the house requires major renovations and currently holds a G energy rating, so buyers should investigate heating and insulation improvements before moving in with young family members.

    6/10
  • Teenagers

    Four bedrooms provide adequate private space for teenagers, and the village location gives them a degree of independence with local amenities nearby. The presence of multiple outbuildings could also be adapted into hobby spaces or study rooms.

    7/10
  • Multi-generational Living

    While the overall floor area of 121 square metres and the presence of outbuildings offer expansion potential, the current layout requires extensive modernization and lacks separate self-contained living quarters for extended family members.

    5/10
  • Single Buyers

    An affordable entry point into the market for a detached home with strong character, though single buyers should budget carefully for the significant upgrade works required to bring the property up to modern habitation standards.

    6/10
  • Couples

    Priced reasonably for a four-bedroom detached structure with a central village setting, making it an appealing project for couples looking to put their own stamp on a historic home.

    7/10
  • Empty Nesters

    The property offers manageable village living with local amenities close at hand, but the two-storey layout and the need for major renovation work may prove demanding for buyers looking for an immediate, low-stress transition.

    6/10
  • Retirees

    Village convenience is a plus, but the extensive renovation requirements, G-rated energy performance, and traditional multi-level layout mean retirees should carefully consider accessibility and the burden of property upkeep.

    5/10

Work

3 areas
  • Remote Working

    The four-bedroom layout allows ample space to set up a dedicated home office, but remote workers should verify local broadband speeds and connection reliability in the area.

    6/10
  • Hybrid Commuting

    The location in West Clare is quite remote from major employment cities, making regular hybrid commuting times relatively long unless working locally or regionally.

    4/10
  • Retired

    A charming historical setting for retirement in a tight-knit village community, provided the buyer is prepared to manage the significant home restoration project.

    7/10

Practical

8 areas
  • Ageing in Place

    The current two-storey layout lacks ground-floor bedroom suitability without structural reconfiguration, and significant renovations are needed to adapt the home for long-term accessibility.

    4/10
  • Low Maintenance

    Built in 1850 and carrying a G energy rating, the property requires major modernization, roof and fabric assessments, and extensive maintenance to reach comfortable living standards.

    2/10
  • Secure Gated Entry

    The property opens directly onto Main Street with an independent side entrance to the yard, but lacks private gated or security perimeter installations currently.

    2/10
  • Minimalist Design

    Characterized by traditional 19th-century architecture, thick stone walls, separate outbuildings, and classical rooms rather than open-plan minimalist aesthetics.

    3/10
  • Flexible Floor Plans

    Comprising four to five bedrooms, a sitting room, kitchen/dining area, and several outbuildings, offering good potential to reconfigure the interior layout during renovations.

    6/10
  • Heritage Home

    A traditional detached two-storey house originally built in 1850, retaining fantastic historical character, original stone outhouses, and a prime position in a historic village.

    10/10
  • Ecological Setup

    Currently hindered by a G energy rating and reliance on older solid-fuel or oil-fired heating methods, though relevant government energy upgrade grants may offer a pathway to improve eco-efficiency.

    3/10
  • Outdoor areas

    Includes approximately 0.0956 acres with a large backyard, independent side access, and five separate stone-and-outbuilding structures providing ample external utility space.

    7/10

Interests

9 areas
  • Gardening

    The property sits on approximately 0.0956 acres with a large backyard and multiple outbuildings, giving keen gardeners plenty of scope to cultivate outdoor spaces once cleared and landscaped.

    6/10
  • Walking

    The surrounding Burren landscape provides an exceptional, world-renowned setting for walking, hiking, and exploring unique natural and historical trails.

    9/10
  • Gym

    Dedicated fitness or gym facilities are sparse in the immediate village, likely requiring travel to nearby larger towns for specialized health club amenities.

    3/10
  • Cycling

    The scenic local roads winding through the Burren offer fantastic cycling routes, though riders should be mindful of rural road conditions and traffic sharing.

    8/10
  • Golf

    While West Clare features notable golf courses within driving distance, players will need to commute outside of Kilfenora to access full 18-hole club facilities.

    5/10
  • Fishing

    Proximity to regional rivers and coastal waters offers some angling opportunities, but enthusiasts should investigate specific local fishing spots and permits.

    5/10
  • Horse Riding

    The rural environment and open countryside lend themselves well to equestrian pursuits, with various riding stables and trails located across the wider county.

    6/10
  • Water Sports

    Inland village location means water sports require travelling toward the Atlantic coast or local lakes, making it less convenient for daily aquatic activities.

    3/10
  • Entertaining

    Features a generous backyard, multiple outbuildings, and a functional ground-floor footprint, though major internal renovations are required before hosting guests comfortably indoors.

    6/10

Lifestyle

5 areas
  • Quiet Living

    Situated in a small and historic West Clare village on the edge of the Burren, offering a generally peaceful rural-adjacent atmosphere away from major urban congestion.

    7/10
  • Rural Living

    The striking Burren landscape surrounds the area, offering a true countryside feel while maintaining the benefit of a main street village address.

    8/10
  • Village Living

    Located right in the heart of the picturesque village of Kilfenora, providing immediate access to local shops, cafés, pubs, and community services.

    9/10
  • Coastal Living

    While the wider Clare coastline and popular coastal towns are within driving distance, the immediate location is inland within a limestone landscape rather than directly coastal.

    4/10
  • Urban Living

    Kilfenora is a small, historic rural village rather than an urban center, offering very limited city-style conveniences or high-density commercial amenities.

    2/10

Social

6 areas
  • Community Involvement

    Kilfenora has a rich cultural heritage, strong traditional Irish music roots, and an active local community centered around village amenities and local events.

    8/10
  • Café Culture

    The village provides basic local cafés and pubs for social gatherings, but the café culture is modest compared to larger towns and cities.

    5/10
  • Nightlife

    Nightlife is largely restricted to traditional local pubs and live music sessions rather than vibrant club scenes or late-night venues.

    4/10
  • Health/Wellness groups

    Local community gatherings and traditional activities take place, though formal health and wellness groups may require participation in nearby regional centers.

    5/10
  • Networking Opportunities

    As a small rural village, professional networking opportunities locally are very limited, catering primarily to tourism, agriculture, and local services.

    3/10
  • Tech-Hub Connectivity

    There are no established tech hubs in the immediate vicinity, making this location dependent entirely on home-based remote connectivity.

    2/10

Listing information

Agent
Streets Ahead Properties
Phone
065 707 2687
Published on HouseDelve
26 September 2026
Correction
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Property reference: HD-819902HouseDelve · 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.