Buying a holiday home on the water's edge in Ballybunion or Bettystown, may be back in fashion but who wants sand in their sandwiches, salt in their hair, and to bathe in a wetsuit? The sight of ice cream vans and worn-out donkeys trotting up the beach isn't exactly picture-postcard material either.

A life by the sea requires sunshine, in fact it demands it. That's why more of us go abroad to find our place in the sun.

Okay, while it is likely to rain some of the time in Thailand, and in Marbella you may be overshadowed by cranes, you can still be guaranteed more days of sunshine a year than in Ireland and the beaches are infinitely better.

Properties located right on the beach though aren't cheap. The $117 million haul the Arizona sand helped Spiderman 3 register in its first day of business might only net you one property, albeit one very big, property! That's not to say they're aren't bargains out there, but you'll have to expect more sand between you and the sea and gravel under your flip flops if you want anything under a couple of hundred thousand euro.

AUSTRALIA
Address: Promontory Precinct, Gold Coast
Price: from 2.6m ($AUD4.1m)
Details: an address along Queensland's Gold Coast is considered one of the most sought after beach addresses in Australia. One offer here are a number of contemporary style surfside villas just a few steps from the ocean. Think modern minimalist designs in glass and stone with polished timber rnders and and elevator to get you from shore to sea in double quick time. The living rooms have designer fireplaces and the master suites boast deep spa baths.

The houses here are mainly open plan in concept and there are waterfront decks and a swimming pool.
Further info: Ken Jacobs 0061-29328 1422; www. kenjacobs. com. au