Need to know
AS charming as its pretty sounding name, The Garden House is striking new development of 42 ultra-stylish apartments and penthouses in the heart of the city surrounded by professional landscaped gardens and views of green open spaces.

Located off a private drive at Waterfall Avenue on Richmond Road, Dublin 3, apartments here should appeal to investors and young professionals looking for a city convenient address within walking distance of shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities.

Designed by John Flemming Architects with an emphasis on blurring the boundaries between indoors and out, units at The Garden House boast either largedecked open terraces or winter garden balconies overlooking landscaped spaces designed by award-winning garden designer Paul Martin.

On offer this weekend is a mix of one- and two-bed apartments ranging in size from 47sq m to 79sq m and eight double-height duplex penthouses, measuring from 88sq m to 122sq m.

Each penthouse boasts a light-filled spacious interior comprising an entrance hallway, storage area, two double bedrooms (master en-suite), utility, open plan living/dining/kitchen and a novel own door attic space suitable for a variety of uses.

Energy efficiency is very much a feature in this development. Each apartment enjoys the convenience of individually controlled instant hot water and heating through high-output radiators from a centralised gas boiler system, which significantly reduces energy consumption and CO2 emissions, and double-glazed air-tight windows.

Designed to a high specification, standard features include Italian designer kitchens with polished granite worktops by Snaidero, modern wall hung sanitaryware in bathrooms, fitted wardrobes in bedrooms and oak finished doors throughout.

Secure underground car parking is also included in the price.

The Garden House is just five minutes from Drumcondra and Fairview. There is a choice of schools within walking distance . . . St Patrick's College of Education, Mater Del Institute of Education and All Hallows College.

The infrastructure around this location is also excellent . . . bus routes serve the city and beyond and the proposed Metro North line will have stops at Croke Park and Griffith Avenue, further enhancing accessibility.

The Plaza, Ballymun: from 285,000 BALLYMUN, Dublin 11 is undergoing massive regeneration and investors looking to capitalise on the changes taking place in this part of the city could do well to invest in The Plaza, a Section 23 development with 85% tax relief.

Developed by Bennett Construction, The Plaza comprises 154 apartments and a 125-bed hotel with modern conference facilities, coffee lounge, bar and restaurant.

On offer this weekend is a selection of one- and two-bed apartments ranging in size from 45sq m to 85sq m (485sq ft to 910sq ft). Units boast quality fitted kitchens complete with appliances, fitted wardrobes and fully tiled bathrooms.

Apartments are available as is or buyers can opt for a turnkey package with full fit-out similar to that of the show apartments.

The Plaza is right in the heart of the new Ballymun Town Centre and is well serviced by a superb selection of amenities and public transport to the city centre.

Shopping facilities at the Omni Centre and Gulliver's Retail Park are close by. The proposed Ikea will be within walking distance.

Price: one-bed apartments 285,000; two-beds 320,000
Agent: Hooke & MacDonald 01-631 8402 Letterkenny, Co Donegal: 550,000

VOTED tidiest large urban centre in the 2007 Tidy Towns competition, Letterkenny in Co Donegal also boasts some of the best value for money homes in the country, with prices considerably less than those in Dublin.

This once-small market town, now the largest in the county is the location for an exclusive new development of high end homes by GDC.

Droim Ard Avenue, situated on a secluded woodland setting on the Ramelton Road boasts space and style in abundance with master craft designer finishes as standard, and all from 550,000.

Designed by MH Associates, buyers can choose from seven different five-bed house types ranging in size from 217 to 268sq m.

Homes here are the ultimate in luxurious living and boast unrivalled attention to detail and high- spec internal and external features.

Kitchens are fitted with granite worktops and high-tech appliances; bathrooms have contemporary sanitaryware; there are wardrobes in all bedrooms; a fireplace in the living room; and all homes come with a large sunroom.

Added extras include a Home Automation specification, underfloor heating throughout, a Beam central vacuum system and security camera at front door.

All homes are set on large plots, bounded by ranch style fencing with professional landscaping to park-like open spaces.

Price: five-bed homes from 550,000 to 685,000 Agent: Property Partners Reynolds 074-912 2399 Railway Gardens, Lismore: from 259,500 The Maudelins, Duleek, Co Meath: from 230,000 HOMEHUNTERS in the Waterford area will be interested in the recent launch at Railway Gardens, a stylish residential scheme adjacent to the old station house in Lismore.

When complete, Railway Gardens will comprise 51 three and four-bed houses and bungalows in six different styles, all named after flowers: The Lily, The Rose, The Orchid, The Tulip, The Primrose and The Sunflower.

Lismore is a heritage town with plenty of shops, schools, businesses, cafes and local amenities. Dungarvan is about 20 minutes' drive away, while Cork city is 45 minutes' drive.

The Lily is a spacious detached four-bed with a floor area of 161sq m (1730sq ft). Three-bed houses range in size from 106 to 124sq m (1141 to 1341sq ft) Standard features include fitted kitchens with integrated appliances, fully tiled bathrooms, fireplace in living room and fitted wardrobes.

Price: three-beds from 259,500; four-bed semis from 274,500; four-bed detached from 282,750 Agent: Sherry FitzGerald Reynolds 058-23444

THE Maudelins is small select scheme of Section 23 apartments integrated with six spacious retail units at ground level in the heart of the historic village of Duleek, Co Meath.

Built by Finnan Construction and imaginatively designed by architects Terry O'Flanagan Ltd to take advantage of the views, The Maudelins comprises 23 luxury apartments . . . six one-beds and 17 two-beds ranging in size from 42sq m to 57sq m (455sq ft to 615sq ft).

Priced from just 230,000 to appeal to investors and first-time buyers, apartments boast either a balcony or patio, vanilla shaker kitchens fully fitted with white goods, fitted wardrobes in all bedrooms and fully tiled bathrooms with power shower and Jacuzzi.

Included in the price is a designated underground car parking space, accessed through electronically controlled gates.

Duleek offers easy access to the M1 motorway and N2 Ashbourne by-pass. Dublin airport is just 25 minutes' drive away and there is a regular train and bus service to Dublin, Ashbourne, Navan and Drogheda.

Price: one-bed apartments from 230,000; two-bed apartments from 265,000 Agent: Declan Flynn & Associates 041-982 3519