A stylish development in Rathcoole village, just off the Naas Road and 15 miles from Dublin city centre, Blackthorn comprises a good mix of apartments, duplexes, townhouses and three- and four-bed semis. This phase sees the release of one- and two-bed apartments, with houses due to be released this autumn. When completed, there will be 105 homes onsite. Apartments start from 280,000, but three- and fourbed semis due later this year will suit young families and those trading up.

Blackthorn is close to the M50 and M7, and has a good bus and rail service to Dublin.

The proposed Luas line at Citywest will be five minutes drive away, as is the Citywest Shopping Centre now under construction. Rathcoole has schools, shops, pubs, cafe and sports club, while Liffey Valley shopping centre is within easy driving distance.

Blackthorn, designed by Fenton Simons and Associates, has been well landscaped, and parking is at surface level. Homes are finished in a mix of white render and brick. On offer in this phase are one-bed apartments with an average floor area of 46sq m (495 sq ft), and two-bed apartments ranging from 73 to 95sq m (786 to 1,023 sq ft). Apartments have open-plan kitchen cum living/dining rooms, hallways, bedrooms and bathrooms. Livingrooms have patio doors opening to a balcony or terrace.

The apartments come with Nolan fitted kitchens, contemporary sanitary ware with mono block fittings and pump system, tiled kitchen wall, wall tiling in bathroom and en-suite, built-in wardrobes, Dimplex duo electric heating system, and designated car-parking space.

Price: one-bed apartments 280,000- 285,000; two-beds 340,000 - 375,000 Agent: DNG New Homes 01-4912600