NOT only does Bastion Court in Athlone come with Section 23 tax breaks, but all homes are selling in turnkey condition, ready to walk right into with little more than your suitcase! Built by FK Construction, this scheme is right in the heart of Athlone, on the western side of town, in what is the old part complete with bookshops, craft workshops and antique shops.

Location in the centre of town means Bastion Court has great rental potential, with close proximity to the new Athlone Town Centre, Institute of Technology and other major employers.

Both owner-occupiers and investors qualify for tax savings, and investors are guaranteed a rental income of around 50,000 over the first five-year period.

One-bed apartments are around 43sq m (463sq ft) while two-beds are about 67sq m (725sq ft).

Each unit comprises a hall, open-plan living/dining and kitchen area, bedrooms and bathrooms. Ground floor apartments include a private terrace, while upper floor homes have decent-sized balconies.

A full-time management company will be in place, to deal with security, maintenance and other on-site emergencies.

And with Section 23 coming to an end this year, Bastion Court is one of the last developments in the area to have such attractive taxincentives.

Price: one-beds from 250,000; two-beds from 295,000 Size of unit: one-bed apartments are 43sq m (463sq ft), and two-beds are 67sq m (725sq ft).

Standard features: all units are sold in turnkey condition, completely "tted out.

Size of development: 79 one, two and three-bed apartments On-site facilities: medical centre, creche, and mix of retail and of"ce units.

Completion date: ready now Transport links: Athlone is served by the Dublin to Galway train, and is within easy commuting distance of much of the midlands.

Distance from Dublin: 125kms Joint agents: Hooke & MacDonald 01-631 8402 & Sherry FitzGerald O'Meara 090-647 5500 Need to know Docklands: from 290,000

HOMEHUNTERS looking for an apartment home, a short hop from the city centre, will be interested in the latest launch at Crosbies Yard, developed by Crosbie Property and built by Sisks.

Located in the docklands, right beside Spencer Dock, Crosbies Yard is entered via Ossory Road, off the North Strand Road.

About 10 minutes' walk from the city centre, this scheme is very close to Connolly train and Dart station, the Luas and Busarus.

Designed by architects at Scott Tallon Walker, this is a contemporary urban development, where most units benefit from dual aspect light, and only two apartments share each hallway.

One-bed apartments and duplexes average 50sq m (540sq ft), while two-beds range in size from 63 to 80sq m (675 to 860sq ft).

Features include pod kitchens with granite worktops, appliances, fitted wardrobes and good-sized balconies.

Price: one-bed apartments and duplexes from 290,000; two-beds from 370,000; and three-bed penthouses from 500,000.

Agent: Hooke & MacDonald 01-631 8402 Dublin 14: 2.25m

BUYERS looking for a large detached new home with a South Dublin address will no doubt be impressed by No 63a Holywell, Kilmacud, Dublin 14, the last remaining five-bed in this upmarket residential scheme built by Sorohan.

Double-fronted and finished in brick, this house has a traditional feel to it, which is accentuated by the deep-pitched roof and overhanging porch.

A large home by any standards, No 63a has a floor area of 231sq m (2,488sq ft), and comprises an entrance hall, study, living room, dining room, sun room, kitchen/breakfast room, five bedrooms, two en-suites and one bathroom. The main bedroom also comes with walk-in wardrobes.

The house is bright and airy throughout with extensive glazing, including a wall of glass in one of the reception rooms that opens out to a spacious landscaped garden with decked area surrounded by timber fencing.

Finished to a very high standard, this home comes with a custom-made contemporary-style McNally kitchen with granite worktops and integrated Kuppersbusch appliances, solid oak wooden flooring throughout, Brogan Jordan fitted wardrobes in all rooms, recessed mood lighting, surround system and intercom system.

Bathrooms are equally impressive with Villeroy & Boch sanitary ware, granite vanity top, heated towel rail and porcelain tiling.

Convector radiators all come with elegant covers, while all internal doors are solid oak.

There is also one five-bed semi available at Holywell priced at 1.295m.

Price: 2.25m
Agent: Savills HOK 01-618 1300 City Square, D2: from 360,000

A BRAND new apartment scheme went on the market this weekend in Dublin city. Located on Gloucester Street North in Dublin 2, City Square comprises just 27 one- and two-bed units, laid out in a six-storey building. Just off City Quay and close to Grand Canal Dock and the IFSC, these apartments should be popular with buyers who work in the city area.

And with the nearby docklands being regenerated to the tune of 7billion, this entire neighbourhood will have plenty of shops, restaurants, businesses, theatres, parks and other local amenities. Recent additions to the area include the newly opened Martha Schwartz-designed Grand Canal Square which has a red 'carpet' made from resin-glass paving.

One-bed apartments have a floor area of 43sq m (460sq ft), while two-beds are around 68sq m (730sq ft).

Kitchens and bathrooms come as pre-built 'pod' units, and kitchens include appliances. Most apartments have south-facing balconies or terraces and there is a private courtyard for residents.

Price: one-bed apartments from 360,000 and two-beds from 460,000.

Agent: Hooke & MacDonald 01-631 8402