Property
Auctioneers call for radical intervention to aid towns and villages
The country’s auctioneers have called for a radical intervention to breathe new life into Ireland’s decimated towns and villages.
The Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers – representing almost 1,000 auctioneers – want to see a tax incentive scheme to convert non-viable commercial buildings into residential use by owner-occupiers.
That was one of the key proposals set out by the new President of IPAV at the organisation’s recent annual conference.
Eamon O’Flaherty from Lanesboro, Co. Longford, is a Director of Property Partners Brady in Maynooth
“The process of putting the lights back on in the centre of towns and villages would reverberate out into the local economy and community. The first to see the lift would be local tradesmen and women, next would be other retail outlets and then the schools,” he said.
He called on the Government to introduce a scheme for non-viable commercial premises to be converted to residential use with a tax incentive for owner occupiers.
“It’s clear from a walk through any of our rural towns that without reasonable incentives, no scheme will succeed. The nature and scope of the scheme is a matter for the Government to decide but my belief is that we need a generous and broad-based scheme if we are to breathe life into our town centres again,” he added.
He said while the IPAV welcomed the Living City initiative launched recently by the government, it was too limited focusing only on the regeneration of the historic centres of six cities – Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford and Kilkenny.
“IPAV believes we need a nationwide scheme especially open to all our rural towns. Otherwise such towns will continue to languish and disintegrate before our eyes,” he said.
Mr O’Flaherty said the Government initiative in conjunction with the European Commission, which has promised an €80 million fund for urban renewal projects currently being finalised by the Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government is eagerly awaited. He cautioned however that co-ordination of policy is essential.
“Piecemeal isolated initiatives devised by well intentioned people who don’t have sufficient knowledge of the overall market or vision for the future, will not work,” he warned.
To this end he reiterated IPAV’s call for the setting up of a national property council which government would use as a consultative process to aid long-term planning. IPAV supports a vacant site levy in larger cities as an incentive to get inner city construction moving as rapidly as possible.
“We welcome the fact that the Government has now taken up this idea in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015 currently before the Dáil,” he said.
IPAV’s annual conference took place at Carton House, Maynooth, and was addressed by Tom Parlon, Director General of the Construction Industry Federation, as well as Chris Grezesik, Chairman of TEGoVA, Europe’s representative body for real estate valuers in 33 countries.
O’Donnellan and Joyce are handling the sale of a large four-bed detached property located in Shangort Park, Knocknacarra, in Galway.
Located just off Shangort Road, Number 11 was constructed in the early 2000s.
It is a small, quiet development comprised of a mixture or detached and semi-detached homes finished to the highest of standards and overlooking a large green area.
In terms of location, this property has all that one would require and is ideally located within a short walk of quality local schools such as Gaelscoil Mhic Ahmlaigh, Knocknacarra National School and Colaiste Na Coiribe.
An abundance of amenities include the Gateway Shopping Park (B&Q) and Tesco. There are a number of ample green spaces and playing fields close by such as McGrath’s Field, Cappagh Park and Millars Lane.
The property is also located just minutes from the stunning surroundings of Rusheen Bay and Rusheen Woods and the area also boasts a wealth of local amenities.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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Property firm iamsold, whose online bidding and auction platform is used by more 300 auctioneers across Ireland, is continuing to take entries for its 2023 auctions with the next dates scheduled for May 18, June 22 and July 20.
Shane May, Sales Manager for iamsold said: “Previous years have shown the May to July period is particularly strong for selling residential and commercial property. We have an excellent variety of properties currently on offer, and we are finding that there is an ongoing appetite for realistically priced property throughout the country. Our partner auctioneers have been kept busy as requests for viewings remain high.”
Among the properties for sale at the moment are:
Sky Road, Clifden. This is a two-bed property described as “character filled” set in a wonderful holiday location.
This is a traditional cottage which has been cleverly extended to retain its character with a modern living interior. The focal point is the extended living area with full and uninterrupted views over Kingstown Bay. The property is offered at bids over €525,000 and for sale by Sherry FitzGerald Mangan.
Main Street, Headford. Currently the property comprises two buildings, one of which was a public house, whilst the other was a private dwelling. Subject to planning, there is potential to extend to the rear of the property and create multiple units which could potentially provide 2 x 2 bed apartments, along with 3 x 1 bed apartments and could be eligible for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, offering between €30,000 and €50,000 towards the renovations. The property is offered at bids over €145,000 and for sale by Michelle Burke Estate Agents.
For more information on the auction, call 091 882121 or visit iamsold.ie
DNG Martin O’Connor Land Sales are holding an online auction on May 11, where two lots of land in Letterfrack will go under the hammer.
The first lot is an opportunity to acquire a cottage with shed ruins on 4.34ha (10.72 acres) of top-quality land at Attirowerty. Enjoying incredible views in all direction, this land is one of the most outstanding opportunities to acquire a lovely holding of meticulously maintained farmland in the Connemara region in many years.
Bordering the Traheen River, the cottage – dating back to the 1800s – is a traditional stone built property under a galvanised roof laid out in two rooms with open fireplaces in each room. Across the yard there are the ruins of a large shed which could be renovated.
Looking south the cottage enjoys views of Ballinakill Bay, Tully Hill and Letter Hill to the west whilst to the north Diamond Hill and the Mweelrea mountains with many more hills of south Mayo are visible in the distance.
Fully enclosed by stonewalls and concrete post with wire fencing, the land laid out in three large sections provides excellent grazing with a cattle holding yard and cattle crush.
The land is suited for all types of livestock grazing with cattle farming been the main enterprise over the years on the holding. Due to its excellent order the land would be the perfect location for breeding Connemara ponies and also ideal for holding sheep due to its field system and good boundaries.
The property presents itself as an excellent proportion for those looking for a cottage hideaway that they can renovate to their own style in this scenic part of Ireland with a wonderful atmosphere surrounding it. The lands are ideally suited to existing landowners looking to expand or those looking to set up a small holding centrally located between Clifden and Letterfrack.
Lot 2, consisting of commonage lands in three sections at Attirowerty and Baunoge, amounts to 25.5 acres and is also for sale by online auction on the day.
For further information, contact DNG Martin O’Connor on 091 866708.
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