They don’t make ’em like this anymore.

If your househunting checklist features high ceilings, cornicing, wide doorways, exposed stone and original beams, keeping an eye on properties from the past could be the best way to find the home of your dreams in the future.

Sadly, these handsome gems are few and far between in Ireland, but they do exist.

Sure, on the lower end of the price scale you might need to put in some work to return your stately residence to its former glory, but what’s a little elbow grease in return for a lifetime of memories living in a little piece of local history?

Here are four Cork period properties waiting for a new generation to move in:

1. Kilworth Cottage, Kilworth, Co. Cork

Asking price: €500,000

Originally built around 200 years ago, Kilworth Cottage has been beautifully refurbished and renovated into a characterful family home.

The sweeping cobblelock driveway is accessed through wrought iron electric gates, with ample parking and a turning circle as well as two deck areas and three stables outback. Fancy.

Step inside via the ornate timber porch and you’ll find 3,800 sqft of living space, complete with a games room, office, dining room, sunroom, living room, a handmade fitted kitchen/breakfast room, three bedrooms en suite and a family bathroom.

Solid American pitch pine floors run throughout the ground floor, while double glazed sash windows and an ornate front porch and rear sunroom ensure that this is a home that is bathed in light all day long.

2. Shannon Lodge, Bandon, Co. Cork

Asking price: €175,000

At the lower end of the price scale, this period home is a blank slate for all your decor ideas. Laid out over two floors, Shannon Lodge was built around 1820 in a lovely position overlooking the Bridewell River.

It features three good sized bedrooms, two reception rooms, a huge bathroom and kitchen/dining room, together with a ground floor office or fourth bedroom depending on your requirements.

Features include generous room proportions, open fireplaces, oil fired central heating with modern condenser burner, ceiling cornicing, private rear walled gardens with rear access, together with private parking to the front.

3. 6 Hackett’s Terrace, St Luke’s, Cork (update: sale agreed)

Asking price: €205,000

With two bedrooms, one bathroom and a decent-sized garden out back, this gem is on a private terrace tucked neatly in off Mahony’s Avenue, facing south onto views of the River Lee.

Inside you’ll find a galley kitchen, wood floors and sash windows with shutters, as well as a fireplace in one of the spacious bedrooms upstairs.

This property is available for virtual viewing. To arrange an appointment, email [email protected]

4. 15 Kilbrogan Hill, Bandon, Co. Cork

Asking price: €195,000

A beautiful mid-terraced Georgian townhouse, No. 15 sits on Kilbrogan Hill, within easy walking distance of Bandon town’s shops and cafés. Set over two storeys, this one needs some modernisation but it boasts loads of unique features, including large private rear gardens, cornicing, feature fireplaces, windows with window shutters, original doors and architraves and bespoke ceramic tiles.

Inside you’ll find two fine reception rooms, a fully fitted kitchen, utility kitchen and office as well as a shower room with first-floor accommodation consisting of four bedrooms, a bathroom and a beautiful landing area with impressive half landing and feature window.