Yearning for a life in the country?

If you fancy yourself as a grow-your-own veg type but you’re not quite willing to sacrifice your oat lattes and avocado eggs, Skibbereen might have the balance you’re looking for.

The town has taken on a hipster vibe recently, as city folk flock west in search of a more chill pace of life and slightly more affordable house prices.

With a slew of great coffee shops and restaurants, brilliant bookshops and one of the best weekly markets in the country, Skibb’ is also home to quite a few vacant properties currently up for grabs.

Here are three selling for under €250,000:

40 Saint Fachtna’s Terrace, Skibbereen, Co. Cork

Asking price: €240,000

With a private setting and a cute and spacious garden studio all ready for your laptop, this one could be just the ticket for a remote working house hunter seeking the country life.

The three-bedroom property has private parking and a west-facing rear garden and it’s located close to Skibbereen Community School and Skibbereen town centre.

All the basics are covered (oil-fired central heating, mains services, broadband) so all you’d need to do is put your own finishing touches in place when you move in.

See the full listing here. 

51 North Street, Skibbereen, Co. Cork
Asking price: €249,000

This four-bed, two-bathroom townhouse boasts its own commercial space right in the centre of Skibbereen town.

Situated just a minute’s walk from the main square and supermarkets, this property offers all the tranquillity of the countryside with the convenience of town living.

The two-storey section to the rear of the property faces a large private terraced garden and patio area. There’s a cosy open plan kitchen and sitting room, a large bedroom with a balcony, a large bathroom and a guest bedroom here too.

The front of the property offers two very large bedrooms (one currently used as an office by the owner), a large bathroom and shower room, and a utility area so it could make for a lovely private guest space, with potential for Airbnb.

A Stira stairs leads to a spacious floored attic space for storage, while the ground floor retail unit has been trading as The Chop Shop Barber Shop since 2002 and is leased by established tenants, offering secure rental income.

See the listing here.

Lettertinlish, Skibbereen, Co. Cork

Asking price: €250,000

Like a picture from a storybook, this little gem is going to appeal to anyone who ever dreamed of living in a traditional Irish cottage.

A well-presented two-bedroom home on a c. 0.5 acre tree-lined plot, it features a character interior and panoramic countryside views.

Discreetly located about 2.5 miles east of Skibbereen close to Castletownshend and Union Hall villages, it’s the ideal hideaway for anyone who enjoys all the swimming, hiking, biking and pinting West Cork has to offer.

Check out the full listing here.