Shraheen, Foxford, Co. MayoF26H229
€70,000
1 Bed~45 m²
What you'll like:
- Attractive asking price: Priced at an accessible seventy thousand euros, this property represents a low-cost entry point for buyers wishing to create a custom rural home.
- Generous site size: The holding extends to approximately zero point eight four acres, providing abundant outdoor space for gardens, landscaping, or future property extensions.
- Government grant eligibility: The building appears well-positioned to potentially qualify for substantial vacant and derelict property refurbishment grants of up to one hundred thousand euros.
- SEAI upgrade support: Prospective owners may access a range of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland grants to improve overall thermal performance and reduce future energy bills.
- Peaceful rural setting: Situated in the quiet countryside of Shraheen near Foxford, the location offers exceptional tranquility and a scenic natural environment free from urban hustle.
- Mature private boundaries: The site is surrounded by established trees and natural hedges, ensuring a high degree of privacy from neighboring lands and passing rural traffic.
- Proximity to Foxford town: Located within easy reach of local shops, schools, and essential amenities, ensuring daily conveniences are only a short drive away.
- Good rail connectivity: The nearby Foxford Train Station provides convenient rail links to major towns and cities, enhancing accessibility for commuters or regular travelers.
- Redevelopment flexibility: As a three-room detached cottage requiring complete refurbishment, it offers a blank canvas for buyers to design a layout matching modern specifications.
- Strong investment potential: The combination of low acquisition costs and renovation grants creates a compelling prospect for builders, investors, and savvy first-time buyers.
- Outdoor lifestyle appeal: The spacious plot is ideal for hobby gardeners, small-scale hobby farming, or establishing a self-sufficient country retreat with ample recreational space.
- Local sporting facilities: The area offers various community and sporting amenities within convenient reach, supporting an active and engaged rural lifestyle for residents.
- Scenic county location: County Mayo is renowned for its breathtaking lakes, rivers, and mountains, making this an ideal base for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
- Compact footprint efficiency: With a floor area of forty-five square meters, initial structural renovation costs for the core dwelling are contained compared to larger properties.
- Independent customization freedom: Buyers are not restricted by existing interior layouts or outdated finishes, allowing total creative control over the final architectural aesthetic.
- Potential for extension: The generous plot size easily accommodates structural extensions, subject to obtaining the necessary local planning permissions from the local authority.
- No chain complications: Vacant fixer-upper properties of this nature typically involve straightforward transaction processes without complex upward chains or tenant evictions.
- Tourism and angling hub: Foxford is famous for its salmon fishing on the River Moy, adding local leisure appeal and potential holiday rental attractiveness for investors.
- Community integration: Rural Mayo communities are traditionally welcoming, offering new residents a supportive local network and a slower-paced, community-focused way of living.
- Future value creation: Completing a comprehensive renovation program on a well-located rural site can significantly increase the overall market value upon project completion.
But keep in mind:
- Complete refurbishment required: The existing structure requires extensive and comprehensive renovation work throughout, which will demand significant capital, time, and project management oversight.
- Off-grid service status: The property is currently not connected to any essential services, meaning buyers must arrange and fund all utility hookups from scratch.
- Water supply uncertainty: The listing notes services like a group water scheme are available in the locality, but buyers must verify connection feasibility and associated costs.
- Wastewater treatment needs: A private septic tank or modern wastewater treatment system will likely need to be installed, requiring rigorous site suitability and percolation tests.
- Electricity connection status: Buyers should independently verify whether a live electricity supply is currently connected to the cottage or if reconnection fees apply.
- Exempt BER rating: The property is BER exempt due to its derelict condition, meaning energy efficiency is entirely unquantified until major upgrades are completed.
- Grant approval conditions: Government renovation grants are subject to strict application criteria, local authority approval, and timelines that are never guaranteed upon purchase.
- Small initial footprint: At forty-five square meters, the existing dwelling is quite small and will definitely require expansion to function as a comfortable modern family home.
- Structural integrity unknown: A professional structural survey is vital to assess the condition of the walls, roof timbers, and foundations before committing financial funds.
- Hidden structural defects: Abandoned or derelict cottages often conceal dampness, dry rot, or roof damage that can escalate renovation budgets unexpectedly during construction.
- Planning permission requirements: Substantial structural alterations or extensions will require full local planning permission from Mayo County Council, introducing regulatory timelines.
- Local occupancy restrictions: Mayo County Council may enforce local housing need rules or planning stipulations for rural rebuilds, which buyers must investigate beforehand.
- Access and roadway conditions: The buyer should inspect the quality of the local access roads to ensure they can handle heavy construction traffic and machinery safely.
- Contractor availability: Securing reliable builders, plumbers, and electricians for rural renovation projects in County Mayo can be challenging given current industry demand.
- Inflationary construction costs: Building material and labor costs fluctuate, meaning original renovation budgets may be exceeded if careful cost controls are not maintained.
- Boundary verification needed: Buyers must instruct their legal representative to check the folio maps carefully to ensure all site boundaries match physical fencing on the ground.
- Lack of indoor bathroom details: The listing does not specify bathroom facilities, confirming that a complete modern sanitation and plumbing infrastructure must be built.
- Insurance availability hurdles: Vacant and derelict properties can be difficult or expensive to insure against fire and storm damage until active renovation works begin.
- Provisional cost of works: Bringing a derelict cottage up to modern building regulations will easily surpass the initial purchase price, requiring deep financial resources.
- Absence of heating systems: There is no functional heating system present, meaning an entirely new heating infrastructure must be designed, sourced, and installed.
Price positioning
?
- The asking price of seventy thousand euros reflects the substantial extent of complete refurbishment required for a detached three-room cottage lacking any utility connections.
- Comparable rural properties and fixer-uppers in the wider Foxford area generally trade at levels reflecting high renovation costs and rural site values.
- Potential eligibility for government grants such as the Vacant Property Refurbishment scheme significantly enhances the financial viability of this redevelopment opportunity for buyers.
- The expansive site extending to nearly zero point eight four acres provides substantial additional value for land privacy, private gardening, and future project expansion.
Build Analysis
What we know from similar construction types
- The property is a detached three-room cottage of approximately 45 m², requiring complete refurbishment, meaning a buyer should investigate structural integrity, dampness, roof condition, and foundations.
- The listing states the property is not currently connected to any services, so a buyer must investigate the cost and feasibility of establishing connections to local services or installing private alternatives such as a septic tank and a reliable water source.
- Potential buyers should verify local planning regulations regarding extensions, layout changes, or rebuilding restrictions given the rural site context.
- The property may be eligible for government support schemes such as the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and SEAI energy grants, though eligibility criteria and approval conditions should be independently verified.
Retrofit Cost*
Possible renovating / insulating expenditure
- A deep retrofit for a derelict or vacant 45 m² cottage requiring complete refurbishment typically ranges from €60,000 to €100,000 or more, depending on the extent of structural repairs, rebuilding work, insulation, window replacements, and heating system installations required to bring the dwelling to a modern standard.
Heating cost*
Estimated expense to heat this property every year
- Estimated annual heating cost cannot be reliably determined due to the lack of a BER rating and the fact that the cottage requires complete refurbishment and lacks connected services.
- Once renovated and insulated, a small 45 m² home could see annual heating costs ranging from €600 to €1,200 depending on the chosen heating system and energy efficiency standards achieved, which the buyer should investigate.
Pollution Safe
9/10Environmental situation to investigate
- The property is situated in a tranquil rural countryside setting away from major heavy industrial zones, waste incinerators, or large modern landfill sites.
- The buyer should investigate or verify local agricultural runoff or any historical localized dumping typical of rural areas, though no major regional contamination sources are prominently documented.
Flood Safe
8/10Water overflow reports to follow up
- The property is located in a rural inland area of County Mayo, generally removed from major coastal storm surge threats.
- The buyer should verify local drainage conditions and check whether any portion of the 0.84-acre plot is susceptible to localized surface water accumulation during heavy winter rainfall events.
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 Foxford area
BELASS, PONTOON RD, FOXFORD
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €290,000.00
BELASS, FOXFORD, CO MAYO
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €240,000.00
RINNANEY, FOXFORD, CO MAYO
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €230,000.00
28 CNOC AN DARA, FOXFORD, MAYO
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €320,000.00
SHANWAR, FOXFORD, CO MAYO
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €35,000.00
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 €700, calculated at 1% of the €70,000 purchase price for residential property in Ireland.
- Solicitor legal fees: estimated between €1,500 and €3,000 excluding VAT and outlays, depending on the practitioner.
- Land registration fees: roughly €400 to €800 for property registration and mapping services.
- Property valuation fees: around €150 to €300 typically required by mortgage lenders if financing the purchase.
- Surveyor fees: estimated between €500 and €1,000 to thoroughly inspect the condition of the cottage and redevelopment potential.
- Annual home insurance: roughly €300 to €600, though comprehensive coverage during and after extensive renovation should be verified with insurers.
Forum Talk
What people are saying about this area
- Rural properties requiring complete renovation around Foxford attract considerable attention due to the availability of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and SEAI energy upgrades.
- Local discussions highlight that rural sites near Foxford offer peaceful countryside living while remaining within a short drive of town amenities and the train station.
- Community interest remains high for fixer-upper cottages with substantial land plots, as buyers increasingly look for properties with scope to build modern family homes.
- Residents note that while rural locations offer privacy and mature boundaries, prospective buyers must carefully budget for installing private services like wastewater treatment and water connections.
LifeFit Assessment
How well this property may suit your lifestyle
Family
7 areas- Young Children2/10
The property currently consists of a 1-bedroom, 3-room derelict cottage spanning 45 m², making it entirely uninhabitable for young children without extensive rebuilding and expansion.
- Teenagers2/10
With only 45 m² of existing floor space and a complete lack of modern infrastructure, teenagers would find it cramped and unlivable until significant redevelopment takes place.
- Multi-generational Living1/10
A 45 m² cottage requiring total refurbishment offers no space or layout suitable for multiple generations to live together comfortably at present.
- Single Buyers6/10
A single buyer looking for a hands-on renovation project or a affordable entry point into the countryside will find the €70,000 asking price and grant potential appealing.
- Couples5/10
Couples seeking a long-term project to craft a custom rural home can find great potential here, though they must be prepared for a major, time-consuming construction process.
- Empty Nesters4/10
While downsizing to a quiet rural footprint appeals, the heavy construction and refurbishment needed to make the cottage liveable present substantial hurdles.
- Retirees3/10
Retirees seeking a comfortable retirement home would face significant physical and logistical challenges managing a complete derelict property overhaul.
Work
3 areas- Remote Working5/10
A remote worker could theoretically base themselves here after a rebuild, but the buyer should verify local broadband availability and connection speeds.
- Hybrid Commuting6/10
The property is located within reach of Foxford Train Station, which assists with regional transit connectivity for hybrid workers.
- Retired6/10
Suited for retirees willing to take on a construction project to secure a quiet countryside retirement base.
Practical
8 areas- Ageing in Place3/10
The current state requires a massive overhaul, and aging in place safely would depend entirely on how the property is redesigned and rebuilt.
- Low Maintenance1/10
The property requires complete refurbishment, is not connected to services, and sits on an overgrown 0.84-acre plot demanding high maintenance.
- Secure Gated Entry3/10
Currently features natural boundaries and mature trees rather than a formal secure gated entry system.
- Minimalist Design2/10
A traditional 3-room detached cottage structure requires extensive structural intervention rather than lending itself naturally to clean minimalist design without major rebuilding.
- Flexible Floor Plans4/10
The small 45 m² footprint offers a blank canvas for a complete redesign, but physical structural walls limit flexibility unless expanded.
- Heritage Home7/10
The detached cottage style offers classic character elements typical of rural Irish vernacular architecture, though it requires extensive structural restoration.
- Ecological Setup6/10
The rural plot and eligibility for SEAI energy upgrade grants present a strong framework for implementing green technologies and sustainable retrofitting.
- Outdoor areas9/10
Extends to approximately 0.34 hectares (0.84 acres) of private space surrounded by mature trees and natural boundaries.
Interests
9 areas- Gardening9/10
The generous 0.84-acre site surrounded by mature trees and natural boundaries provides vast space for extensive landscaping and gardening projects.
- Walking7/10
The peaceful rural surroundings offer pleasant local roads and countryside paths ideal for casual walks.
- Gym3/10
Access to dedicated fitness facilities would require traveling toward nearby Foxford town or larger centers.
- Cycling7/10
Quiet country roads around Shraheen offer good routes for cycling enthusiasts, though traffic infrastructure is typical of rural lanes.
- Golf4/10
Golfers would need to investigate the proximity of regional courses, as local options are limited.
- Fishing8/10
Foxford is renowned for its angling culture and proximity to the River Moy, making it an excellent spot for fishing hobbyists.
- Horse Riding6/10
The expansive rural plot and countryside setting offer potential space for equestrian interests, subject to adding appropriate facilities.
- Water Sports5/10
Proximity to local rivers provides some water-related recreational opportunities, though major water sports require traveling further afield.
- Entertaining3/10
The current 3-room cottage is completely unsuited for hosting, though future redevelopment could incorporate outdoor or indoor entertainment spaces.
Lifestyle
5 areas- Quiet Living10/10
Situated in the peaceful countryside of Shraheen, Foxford, surrounded by mature trees and natural boundaries, ensuring maximum tranquility.
- Rural Living10/10
Set on a mature and private site extending to approximately 0.34 hectares (0.84 acres) in a classic rural setting.
- Village Living7/10
Located within easy reach of Foxford town and its local amenities, offering a balance between remote countryside and nearby community life.
- Coastal Living2/10
The location is inland in County Mayo, far away from coastal environments.
- Urban Living1/10
This is a strictly rural location with no city or urban characteristics nearby.
Social
6 areas- Community Involvement6/10
Proximity to Foxford town allows residents to integrate into local community groups, sports clubs, and town activities.
- Café Culture4/10
Limited café options exist within the immediate rural townland, requiring a trip into nearby Foxford.
- Nightlife2/10
Nightlife options are minimal in this quiet countryside area, restricted to local pubs in the nearby town.
- Health/Wellness groups4/10
Formal health and wellness classes would likely require travel to larger nearby towns.
- Networking Opportunities2/10
Rural setting offers very little in terms of professional networking hubs or corporate communities.
- Tech-Hub Connectivity2/10
There are no tech hubs nearby, and digital infrastructure quality at the derelict site must be thoroughly verified by the buyer.
Listing information
- Agent
- CK Properties & Auctioneers
- Phone
- +353 96 70 878
- Published on HouseDelve
- 4 September 2026
- Correction
- Report an issue
HD-0DF3EDHouseDelve · 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.