A thriving linen industry was introduced here in the early 18th century by the Greene family . . . who gave the townland its name. The family brought 16 families from Belfast and the surrounding area in the 1740s to teach the local community the skills of spinning and weaving and how to grow flax.

There was a strong equine tradition in the area too, and the Old Forge once serviced the townland of Kilmacow.

These days, the property would make a suitable family home, and one with potential to extend further (subject to planning permission) as it has 0 .5 of an acre of gardens.

Accommodation briefiy comprises the entrance hall, sittingroom, bathroom, kitchen-cum-livingroom, landing and three bedrooms. The original configuration of the house is still there in features such as the opentread wooden staircase leading directly from the kitchen to the first floor, and also the brick fireplace in the sittingroom.

Price: 325,000 Agent: O'Shea O'Toole & Partners 051-876757

AN authentic feature of this 1920s two-storey country cottage is the pine staircase snaking up and behind the cut stone chimney breast in the living room. Although recently modernised and upgraded, Farravaun, on the Glann Road in Oughterard, Co Galway, retains a degree of old-world charm in keeping with its rural location overlooking Lough Corrib to Inchagoill and Cong.

The grounds of 0.6 acre include a small paddock and timber utility shed. Inside, the house is as neat as a new pin with traditional, deep-set cottage windows, a solid oak floor in the livingroom, two bedrooms with sloping eaves, a small but well-"tted working kitchen with cream units and ceramic tiled floor, and a new, fully tiled shower room.

Accommodation comprises the entrance porch, large livingroom, kitchen, landing, two double bedrooms and shower room. There is also understairs storage space accessed from the kitchen.

A timber fence surrounds the property and there is good parking space through the wooden gates to the gravelled front area. The cottage is five miles from Oughterard, on the shores of Lough Corrib. Galway city is 18 miles off, Shannon Airport within two hours' drive.

Price: 350,000 Agent: Spencer Auctioneers 091-552 999

THIS three-bed, detached property with steeply pitched feature roof at No 12 Thorndale, Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford, is as attractive inside as out with a decor worthy of a glossy interiors' magazine spread.

Subtle paint colours have been used throughout to enhance the natural light. These are used to great effect in the hand-painted kitchen with Iroko work top and Belfast sink.

The 'modern country' style extends through the 1,266sq ft interior, from the bright hallway to the pretty bedrooms, and complementing the polished wooden floors. A charming feature in the bay- windowed living room is the white marble surround "replace. Accommodation at ground floor level comprises the entrance hall, sittingroom, kitchen cum diningroom, and bedroom with ensuite.

Upstairs are the remaining two bedrooms and a main bathroom. To the rear of the house, the living space extends somewhat in the form of the low-maintenance garden, paved and gravelled, providing an ideal spot for outdoor dining.

There are 17 houses in the development. No 12 is in a quiet culde-sac, but in the heart of the village and near to amenities including shops, churches and railway station.

Price: 270,000 Agent: Kehoe & Associates 053-44 393