economics BEANNACHTAM na Femle Padraig. That's “Happy St. Patrick's Day” for those whose Gaelic is a little rusty. Given that today is St. Paddy's Day, it would seem appropriate to have a look at the real estate market in Ireland. While it might sound a bit far- fetched tu be looking at properties that far away, Ireland could be a pretty pleasant place to spend part of the year, especially along the south and west coasts in Kerry, Cork and Galway. Property is not cheap over there, with our swooning loonie losing out to a strong Irish pound, but it is possible to find some intriguing, reasonably priced places for sale. For example there is a country home for sale overlooking Kilkieran ‘Bay on the wild and beautiful, sparsely populated Galway west ‘coast for only £65,000. In addition to the qvo bedruom home, there is also a “derelict cor- tage” un the property. Interestingly enough “derelict cottage” is one of the standard housing categories over there. We have those kind of places here too but we call them “fixer uppers” or “handyman specials.” In perusing the listings in Ireland, I noticed that the property descriptions lacked the colourful embellishments that we commonly see over here. This was unexpected given the Irish reputation with words and language, not to mention the blar- ney factor. However most of the descrip- tions in the listings were only wo or three sentences long, simply sta ing the specifications of the proper- ty. ” Blessedly missing were some of the gems we see over here such as “semi-waterfront” and “peek-a-boo views.” None of the ads ralked about “sun-drenched properties” in Galway Bay, a questionable deserip- tor that an over-enthusiastic agent once used in an ad for a property in the Seymour area of North Vancouver. Other interesting properties that E found on the Internet included an old farmhouse overlooking St. Finian’s Bay in County Kerry for £75,000. Also overlooking the same bay is a vacant lot for just £25,000. i There is also an old stable on 1.5 acres with a “wonderful view of Courtmacsherry Bay” in Kinsdale, County Cork. [tis only £110,000 but appar- entiy needs a bit of work. Ifyou want a place with a real Irish name, there is a cottage for sale in Lacknacummeen, Belgolly, County Cork for £85,000. It is known as Finn's cottage, as many of the country homes over there have names as opposed to numbers. It is on half an acre of land and apparently many features of the original cottage garden are still ¢vi- dent, such as the garden gate and pathway to the front door. There is probably a little pub just down the lane — it all sounds quite idyllic. Or how about a place on Primrose Lane, Ballydanielmore, Connty Cork. It would cost you £200,000 but it has two suites that you could rent out to help with the finances and vou can't ask for a more pic- turesque address. {fit is your fantasy to live on an island there is a charming four bed- room hone on Bear {sland in Bantry Bay in sonthwest Cork for £155,000. Or there is a Bed and Breakfast for sale in Inishmore on the Aran Islands that boasts panoramic views of Galway Bay trom ail the win- dows. Hf you'd like a stay in Ireland but are not ready to buy a house there, a vacation home swap might be the answer. Vancourer is a popular destina- tion for vacationing Eurcpeans and there are some very inceresting Friday, March 17, 2000 - North Shore News - NV-3 properties up for swap on the Emerald Isle. For example there is a family that wants to swap their 200-year- old farmhouse near Bagenalstown in southeast [reland for a vacation in Vancouver, According te the ad, the home is clegaady decorated and sur- rounded by beautifit, well tended gardens. There is another refurbished old farmhouse up for a swap near Ballydehub in west Cork with a twe-acre garden that looks absolutely beautiful in the photo- graph on the Internet. (I found these places at ). This place has views of Roaring Water Bay which you can focate on a map right on the southwest tip of the country. Lonsdale afternoon LOWER Lonsdale Avenue looks like a series of steps teading up to Victeria Park. Finally there is another family who wants to visit Canada and has a home to swap near the seaside vil- lage of Ballyhetgue in county Kerry on the west ‘coast. There are a dazen golf courses within an hour’s drive, not ta men- tion good wild brown trout, salmon and sea trout fishing. Sounds pretty nice to me. So on this first St. Patrick’s Day of the new millennium you can faa- tasize about a leisurely stay in the green, countryside of Ireland. And if you do go, take heed of the famous Irish proverb: “God is good, but never dance in a small boat.” Trent Appelbe is a real estate agent and an ceonomist with Re/Max Crest Realty. He can be reached at 988-4797 ar by e-mail at . NEWS photo Paul McGrath