WITH light and space being major priorities in modern house design, it's easy to see why Ballintyre was awarded Development of the Year for 2005. Built by the highly regarded Castlethorn group, consideration was given to the size of living spaces and the standard of finish on features to suit the demand of young buyers seeking homes with a definite feelgood factor.

The Ballinteer, Dublin 16, location is also something of a winner too, being within walking distance of Dundrum Town Centre, the Luas, and close to the M50. Across the road are Superquinn, schools and churches.

No 44 Ballintyre Walk is a good example of the welldesigned semi-detached modern townhouse, and the property jargon of 'deceptively spacious' is very apt in this instance. There is approximately 146 sq m (1,570 sq ft), laid out over three levels, comprising four bedrooms (two of which are en-suite), main bathroom, a high-tech kitchen/breakfast room, utility, and large living room. The inclusion of good built-in storage, such as fitted presses, units and wardrobes, meets the modern demand for keeping everyday clutter at bay. Rooms are enhanced with an abundance of natural light streaming through floor-to-ceiling height, boxbay windows which are also attractive features. The living room is introduced, off the main L-shaped entrance hall, through a set of double doors.

This room also has a sandstone fireplace (with fitted gas fire). In the kitchen, it's all swish modernity, with a comprehensive range of wooden, fitted wall and base units with granite worktops, and also cool Italian ceramic floor tiles throughout both the working and dining areas of the room. Light flows in through twin Velux roof windows, and also via the double doors out to the garden. No modern home is without a balcony . . .

No 44 has one just off the fourth bedroom. To the rear is a lawned garden with variety of shrubs and a garden shed; to the front are two parking spaces.