Location is probably the most important factor when buying a new house, particularly in Lucan, where closeness to the village and living in a good school catchment area can be crucial for families.
This weekend, Leahy Property Consultants is launching a new scheme of two, three and four-bedroom houses off Ballyowen Lane and bordering leafy Ballyowen Park. Prices start at £147,950 (#187,860) for two-bedroom mid-terrace townhouses, £164,950 (#209,440) for threebedroom end-terrace houses and £175,000 (#222,200) for four-bedroom semi-detached houses.
Of the 44 houses to be sold in the first phase, the main attraction for first-time buyers will be 28 two-bed townhouses with 712 sq ft of living space. There are also twelve 1,080 sq ft three-bedroom end terraces and four 1,300 sq ft fourbedroom semis.
In all, 180 houses are to built on the site, which is a continuation of the mature Mount Andrew development, also built by MW Homes. The first houses will be ready to move into from July this year and the entire site completed within 12 months.
Castleowen is in the favoured St Mary's end of Lucan and therefore in the catchment area for village schools. The site is bounded on one side by the park and a narrow country lane lined with mature chestnut trees. To the rear, Castleowen stretches almost to the N7. Residents will have pedestrian access to the bus routes on the main road and a link road to the Liffey Valley shopping centre is now in use. Like the Mount Andrew scheme, exteriors are of three-quarters brick with a contrasting brick soldier course and a pretty tiled over-door canopy. Front gardens are townhouse-style and small, but will be landscaped. The interiors have a sensible layout with good distribution of space. The sittingroom overlooking the front has a classic-style fireplace and the staircase is tucked into the far corner. A good-sized kitchen at the back of the house has plenty of room for a dining table. Cupboards are ash-look and sliding glass doors open to a reasonable town garden. Both bedrooms upstairs will fit a double bed, fitted wardrobes are included and a tunnel window cleverly disguised as a light fitting keeps the bathroom bright. Three-bedroom end-terraces from £164,950 (#209,440) also have a big kitchen to the rear and the sittingroom at the front has an unusual slanting pine fireplace. Kitchen units are pine and sliding glass doors open to the back garden. There is also a downstairs toilet in this house type.
TWO of the three bedrooms upstairs are doubles and the main bedroom includes an en suite shower. Wardrobes are fitted in the two double rooms. A third single bedroom is a flexible space and could be pressed into service as a study or home/ office. The bathroom has a large bright window. There is no showhouse for the fourbedroom semis, although prospective buyers can look at similar houses in nearby Mount Andrew from the outside and view the layout from plans. These will have a three-quarter brick front and double bay window, adding extra space to the sittingroom and main bedroom. There will be a separate diningroom and the kitchen/breakfastroom will have a utility room off. Builder MK Homes is also responsible for Laverna and Oak Tree estates in Castleknock, Templeroan in Rathfarnham and Ballycullen Park in Firhouse.
