Photograph 1 of 10 of World`s End, Kinsale, County Cork
1 / 10

World`s End, Kinsale, County Cork

€590,000

BER D2

What you'll like:

  • Prime waterfront location: Situated directly at World's End in Kinsale, this site offers magnificent harbour views and places you just a short waterside walk from the vibrant town centre.
  • Full planning permission granted: Securing FPP in March 2026 for a bespoke 3-storey residence under planning reference 25/4412 removes the major regulatory hurdle of obtaining initial approval.
  • Award-winning architect design: The property features a contemporary design by renowned architect Ryan W Kennihan, blending traditional vernacular architecture seamlessly with modern clean lines and functional layouts.
  • Generous floor area: The approved architectural plans provide a substantial 338 square metres of living space, offering ample room for comfortable modern family living and entertaining guests.
  • Spectacular top-floor living: Positioning the open-plan kitchen, living room, and front balcony on the third floor maximizes commanding, uninterrupted views across the harbour and surrounding area.
  • Dual-aspect natural light: The thoughtful east-west orientation ensures that the home will enjoy abundant natural sunlight streaming through from sunrise all the way to sunset.
  • Dedicated off-street parking: The inclusion of a two-car garage and off-street parking addresses a major logistical challenge in this bustling, highly sought-after coastal historic town.
  • Outdoor entertainment spaces: Plans incorporate both a front balcony and a rear patio terrace leading to an upper-level garden, providing private outdoor sanctuaries for relaxing and dining.
  • Integrated home office: A dedicated home office positioned in the corner of the upper-level garden offers a quiet, detached workspace ideal for remote professionals or modern hybrid workers.
  • Area regeneration momentum: The immediate vicinity has seen extensive regeneration through modernised cottages and renovated buildings, suggesting strong long-term neighbourhood enhancement and property value appreciation.
  • Bespoke development opportunity: Representing one of the last remaining vacant opportunities at World's End, this allows buyers to build a completely customized luxury home tailored to exact personal preferences.
  • Thoughtful privacy considerations: The architectural design specifically addresses neighbouring sightlines and overlooking concerns, ensuring that privacy is carefully preserved for both residents and adjacent property owners.
  • Historic street inspiration: The approved facade draws direct inspiration from traditional Kinsale townhouses, utilizing vertically proportioned windows and a restrained material palette that respects local heritage.
  • Comprehensive ground layout: The ground floor plan thoughtfully accommodates a spacious entrance hall, utility room, and guest WC alongside the two-car garage for maximum daily convenience.
  • Mid-floor bedroom configuration: Placing three bedrooms and two bathrooms on the middle floor creates a well-separated, private sleeping zone away from the main active living areas above.
  • Established local community: Living just outside the busier commercial streets provides a peaceful retreat while keeping residents fully immersed in the renowned local culture, dining, and maritime community.
  • Scenic walking routes: The location affords immediate access to scenic waterfront strolls toward the historic town centre, encouraging an active, pedestrian-friendly coastal lifestyle for future occupants.
  • Proximity to marine amenities: Being right by Kinsale harbour makes this an exceptional purchase for sailing enthusiasts and water sports lovers looking to base themselves near active marinas.
  • Architectural prestige: Having a documented design statement from a recognized Dublin-based architectural practice adds considerable prestige and distinct design pedigree to the future finished asset.
  • Clear development blueprint: The detailed planning application provides buyers with a fully realized, professional construction blueprint, drastically cutting down initial design lead times and architectural fees.

But keep in mind:

  • Substantial construction costs: Purchasing the site for the asking price is only the beginning, as building a 338 square metre luxury home will require significant additional capital investment.
  • Building inflation exposure: Buyers must prepare for potential material and labour cost fluctuations during construction, which could easily push total project expenditure well beyond initial budget estimates.
  • Complex ground conditions: Given the waterfront location at World's End, thorough geotechnical and soil testing should be conducted to rule out expensive foundation or drainage reinforcement requirements.
  • Strict planning compliance: The buyer must meticulously adhere to all conditions stipulated in the March 2026 planning grant under reference 25/4412 to avoid costly delays or enforcement issues.
  • Neighbouring redevelopment disruption: Ongoing works on nearby properties, such as the redevelopment of Ferryview House across the street, may cause temporary noise, dust, and access inconveniences during construction.
  • Unserviced site uncertainties: Buyers need to independently verify the exact proximity, capacity, and connection costs for essential public utilities like water, electricity, and sewage services.
  • Project management burden: Overseeing a major three-storey residential build requires extensive time, construction oversight, and stress management compared to purchasing a ready-to-occupy completed home.
  • Contractor availability risks: Securing reliable, high-end building contractors and specialized trades in the current construction climate could lead to scheduling bottlenecks and extended project timelines.
  • Limited existing structure: There is no habitable dwelling currently on site, meaning buyers cannot live on the property during construction and must factor alternative rental costs into their budget.
  • Access and logistics challenges: The narrow historic streets leading to World's End could pose delivery and logistical hurdles for heavy construction machinery, scaffolding, and large material trucks.
  • Local authority development levies: Purchasers should check with Cork County Council regarding applicable development contributions and connection fees associated with activating the current planning permission.
  • Insurance and financing complexities: Securing self-build mortgages or specialized development finance often involves higher interest rates, stricter draw-down milestones, and more rigorous lender oversight.
  • Potentially lower initial liquidity: Vacant development sites can sometimes be less liquid in the short term than standard residential houses if market conditions shift before construction concludes.
  • Maintenance of retaining structures: Depending on the sloping topography connecting the patio terrace to the upper garden, specialized retaining walls might require ongoing structural monitoring and maintenance.
  • Harbour weather exposure: A prominent waterfront position exposes the future building envelope to driving rain, salt spray, and strong coastal winds, necessitating premium weatherproofing materials.
  • Archaeological discovery potential: Kinsale is a historic town with deep heritage roots, meaning any sub-surface excavation during foundation work could potentially trigger archaeological oversight or delays.
  • Boundary and title verification: Legal representatives must carefully inspect title deeds and mapping to confirm precise property boundaries, right-of-way access, and any shared party-wall obligations.
  • Tax considerations: Buyers should consult qualified tax advisors regarding potential VAT implications on construction services, material purchases, and future property tax bracket classifications.
  • Future obstruction risks: While current views of the harbour and Castlepark are exceptional, buyers should investigate local zoning to ensure future developments do not compromise sightlines.
  • Energy rating responsibility: Achieving the desired energy performance certificate requires strict adherence to modern building regulations during construction, which can add complexity to heating and insulation choices.

Price positioning

?
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 mildly undervalued compared with the available evidence.
  • Selected recent transacted market evidence informs this asking-price comparison.
  • Selected sale: 10 SPANISH WALK, CONVENT GARDEN, KINSALE — 2026-08-24 — €676,000.00.
  • The asking price is €590,000 for a development site at World`s End, Kinsale, featuring full planning permission for a contemporary 3-storey home designed by Ryan W Kennihan Architects.
  • The property includes plans for a 338 sq m residence with commanding harbour views, off-street parking, three bedrooms, and a top-floor open-plan living area.

Build Analysis

What we know from similar construction types

  • The listing offers an exceptional development site with full planning permission (FPP) granted in March 2026 under reference 25/4412 for a contemporary three-storey home designed by award-winning architect Ryan W Kennihan.
  • The proposed design spans a generous floor area of 338 sq m, incorporating a 2-car garage, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an open-plan kitchen/living room with a balcony and patio, and a separate home office in the upper garden.
  • Buyers should investigate the specific conditions attached to the planning permission, projected construction timelines, connection costs for essential utilities, and potential site constraints typical of harbour-side locations in Kinsale.
  • As this is a vacant site with planning permission rather than an existing completed structure, a buyer would need to appoint contractors to build out the project and assume responsibility for construction costs and compliance.

Retrofit Cost*

Possible renovating / insulating expenditure

  • The property currently represents a vacant development site with planning permission for a new-build contemporary residence rather than a standing dwelling with an existing operational BER rating.
  • The D2 rating mentioned in the listing data appears to be a placeholder or artifact of the property data entry rather than an assessment of an existing habitable structure.
  • Because the project involves constructing a brand-new home to modern building regulations, a traditional deep retrofit of an older D-rated building does not apply; instead, construction costs will be dictated by the approved architectural design and current building standards for new builds.

Heating cost*

Estimated expense to heat this property every year

  • Estimated annual heating cost: €2,500 to €3,500.
  • Explanation: Based on a planned large floor area of 338 sq m and a D2 BER rating as currently projected, heating a home of this size with a D2 energy rating will likely result in higher energy consumption compared to modern high-efficiency builds, though energy requirements should be verified once construction is completed according to final specifications.

Pollution Safe

9/10

Environmental situation to investigate

  • The location is primarily residential and scenic, showing no apparent immediate proximity to heavy industrial plants or active municipal landfills.
  • Any historical or legacy industrial pollution concerns in the broader harbor area should be independently verified by prospective buyers.

Flood Safe

7/10

Water overflow reports to follow up

  • Being situated directly overlooking the harbour at World's End, waterfront and low-lying coastal areas in Kinsale can occasionally be susceptible to tidal or severe weather flooding.
  • Buyers should consult official local authority flood maps and carry out specific site assessments to establish exact risk levels.

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 Kinsale area

  • 4 HOGANS ROW, BLIND GATE, KINSALE

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €421,000.00
  • 10 SPANISH WALK, CONVENT GARDEN, KINSALE

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €676,000.00
  • 6 WESTWOOD GARDENS, BANDON RD, KINSALE

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €775,000.00
  • HOUSE NO. 6 OCEAN DRIVE ROAD, KINSALE MANOR, KINSALE

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €575,000.00
  • 60 SHEARWATER, PIER RD, KINSALE

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €335,000.00

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% to 2% of the purchase price, estimated around €5,900 to €11,800 based on the asking price.
  • Solicitor legal fees: roughly €1,500 to €3,000 plus VAT and outlays.
  • Land registration fees: approximately €400 to €800 depending on the property value and registration type.
  • Property valuation fees: around €150 to €300.
  • Surveyor fees: approximately €500 to €1,500 depending on the scope of the inspection.
  • Annual home insurance: roughly €400 to €1,000 depending on the rebuilt cost and coverage.

Forum Talk

What people are saying about this area

  • Locals discuss ongoing regeneration and modernization of traditional cottages and vacant sites around the World's End area of Kinsale.
  • Residents highlight the area's appeal due to its quiet waterside location while remaining within a short walk of the town center.
  • Community forums often mention the scenic views of Kinsale harbour and Castlepark as key attractions for prospective developers.
  • Discussions touch upon the careful balancing of contemporary architectural designs with the historical vernacular of the surrounding heritage buildings.

LifeFit Assessment

How well this property may suit your lifestyle

Family

7 areas
  • Young Children

    The property offers a generous 338 sq m floor area once built, which provides ample space for a family. However, a multi-story home with a third-floor open-plan living area and stairs may require careful childproofing.

    6/10
  • Teenagers

    With three bedrooms and expansive living areas, teenagers will have plenty of room. The location close to Kinsale town offers great independence and access to local amenities.

    8/10
  • Multi-generational Living

    The planned 3-storey layout with bedrooms on the middle floor and living areas on the top floor might pose accessibility challenges for older family members, though the generous overall size provides good potential.

    5/10
  • Single Buyers

    As a site with full planning permission requiring construction of a large 338 sq m bespoke home, this is a major undertaking that may be better suited to experienced developers or families rather than single first-time buyers.

    4/10
  • Couples

    Couples looking to build a bespoke contemporary home with stunning harbour views and a short waterside walk into Kinsale will find this an attractive proposition.

    8/10
  • Empty Nesters

    The location is fantastic for empty nesters wanting to be near Kinsale town, but managing a large 3-storey self-build project and navigating multiple levels long-term should be considered.

    6/10
  • Retirees

    While close to town amenities, the 3-storey design featuring reversed living (top floor) and stairs up to the rear garden may make ageing in place more challenging without a lift.

    5/10

Work

3 areas
  • Remote Working

    Plans explicitly feature a home office located in the corner of the upper-level garden, providing an ideal detached workspace away from the main living areas.

    9/10
  • Hybrid Commuting

    Kinsale offers a pleasant lifestyle base, though commuters should verify travel times and transport links to Cork city and airport.

    6/10
  • Retired

    Great for active retirees wishing to enjoy Kinsale's vibrant community, though the multi-story home design should be evaluated for long-term comfort.

    6/10

Practical

8 areas
  • Ageing in Place

    A 3-storey architectural design with upper-level gardens and reverse-level living presents significant mobility hurdles for ageing in place.

    3/10
  • Low Maintenance

    Being a vacant site with full planning permission, the initial build requires substantial management, though a newly constructed modern home will subsequently offer lower upkeep.

    5/10
  • Secure Gated Entry

    The listing highlights off-street parking for two cars and a 2-car garage, but does not explicitly mention gated security features.

    4/10
  • Minimalist Design

    Designed by award-winning architect Ryan W Kennihan, the property features a contemporary approach with clean lines, vertically proportioned windows, and a restrained material palette.

    9/10
  • Flexible Floor Plans

    The 338 sq m layout includes open-plan living spaces on the top floor and three bedrooms, offering versatile customisation during the build process.

    7/10
  • Heritage Home

    While it is a brand-new contemporary build rather than a historic property, the architectural design pays deliberate homage to Kinsale's vernacular heritage.

    6/10
  • Ecological Setup

    Modern builds must adhere to current building regulations, but buyers should verify specific eco-friendly installations or renewable energy systems planned for the site.

    6/10
  • Outdoor areas

    Includes a front balcony, a west-facing rear patio terrace, and steps leading up to an elevated garden featuring a home office.

    8/10

Interests

9 areas
  • Gardening

    Plans include a garden at an upper level accessed via steps from the west-facing patio terrace, offering a dedicated outdoor green space to develop.

    6/10
  • Walking

    The location boasts a fantastic waterside walk just a few minutes into the centre of Kinsale town and surrounding coastal paths.

    10/10
  • Gym

    While local amenities in Kinsale can be explored, the property itself does not come with a pre-built gym, though the large floor area allows for a home fitness room setup.

    5/10
  • Cycling

    The scenic local roads around Kinsale and the coastal geography offer good cycling opportunities, supported by a 2-car garage for storage.

    7/10
  • Golf

    Kinsale is well known for its proximity to excellent golf courses in the surrounding Cork region.

    7/10
  • Fishing

    The harbourside setting at World's End places you right by the water, making it exceptionally convenient for maritime and fishing pursuits.

    9/10
  • Horse Riding

    Equestrian facilities are typically found in the wider rural hinterland of County Cork rather than directly on the edge of the town.

    5/10
  • Water Sports

    Overlooking Kinsale harbour with views towards Castlepark, this location is premier territory for sailing, kayaking, and various water sports.

    10/10
  • Entertaining

    The top-floor open-plan kitchen and living room featuring a front balcony and rear patio makes this an exceptional home for hosting guests and enjoying views.

    9/10

Lifestyle

5 areas
  • Quiet Living

    Located at World's End just outside the busier streets of Kinsale, it offers a slightly quieter environment while remaining connected to the town.

    7/10
  • Rural Living

    This is a harbourside urban fringe setting rather than a rural location, situated on the edge of a vibrant historic town undergoing regeneration.

    3/10
  • Village Living

    Kinsale provides an exceptional historic town and village-style community atmosphere with local shops, cafes, and restaurants within a few minutes' walk.

    9/10
  • Coastal Living

    The property overlooks the harbour at Kinsale with commanding views, a balcony, and a waterfront walking route, making it ideal for coastal enthusiasts.

    10/10
  • Urban Living

    It combines a waterside residential setting with proximity to the amenities of Kinsale town, though it lacks the density and bustling nature of a city center.

    6/10

Social

6 areas
  • Community Involvement

    Kinsale is renowned for its active, vibrant local community, historic regeneration projects, and community groups.

    8/10
  • Café Culture

    A short waterside walk leads directly into the heart of Kinsale, famous for its excellent restaurants, bars, and café culture.

    9/10
  • Nightlife

    The vibrant town center of Kinsale offers a lively selection of pubs, live music venues, and dining options within easy walking distance.

    8/10
  • Health/Wellness groups

    Town amenities typically support various local wellness clubs, pilates, and fitness communities.

    7/10
  • Networking Opportunities

    While local business and social networks exist within Kinsale, major corporate networking hubs are primarily based nearby in Cork city.

    5/10
  • Tech-Hub Connectivity

    Buyers should investigate high-speed broadband infrastructure availability for the specific site during the construction phase.

    5/10

Listing information

Agent
Sheehy Brothers Auctioneers Ltd.
Phone
021 477 2338
Published on HouseDelve
24 September 2026
Correction
Report an issue
Property reference: HD-D5DBE5HouseDelve · 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.