For most people when they consider their dream vacation home in Ireland it is not a modern apartment or a workaday semi-detached estate house. It’s something special, more romantic – in their mind’s eye everyone dreams of a country cottage.

One-third of Americans would like to retire to Ireland. One in six calls taken by real estates agents in Ireland, about Irish properties, come from the US. So it’s little wonder the recent New York exhibition of Irish real estate was a great success. The heartfelt reactions we receive on this site to stories about people moving to Ireland is also testament to the fact that everybody (so it seems) would love a little slice of the Emerald Isle.

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Happily, what’s also true of Ireland’s current property market is that while it is recovering in the larger cities there are still bargains to be found. According to Daft.ie’s latest price report, during 2015’s fourth quarter, the average house price in South Dublin County was $569,376 (€514,845) while in Longford and Leitrim the average prices were $108,060 (€98,058) and $114,934 (€104,256), respectively.

So, from the most expensive on the market to the dirt cheap house, one that needs a little TLC, we take a look at your dream cottages around Ireland:

Cheapest

Clogherbeg

Where? Claremorris, County Mayo

What? Cottage with three bedrooms and one bathroom

How much? $19,839 (€18,000)

Features:

- Overall floor area 73 square meters (786 square feet)

- 3.7 miles from Claremorris town

- In need of total refurbishment

- Property consists of a porch, sitting room, two single bedrooms (one en suite), one double bedroom, a living room and a kitchen

- Small garden to the rear

About the town:

At the time of the last census, 2011, Claremorris’ population was 3,979. The town sits at the bottom of a valley, all roads leading to the town follow hills, in particular the old Knock road and Courthouse road. Although low-lying, the town does not experience flooding. It also is the fastest growing town in County Mayo.

For more information click here.

Greaghnafarna

Where? Arigna, County Roscommon

What? One bedroom cottage

How much? $22,044 (€20,000)

Features:

- Overall floor area 90 square meters (969 square feet)

- 1.8 miles from the village of Arigna

- Property in need of major refurbishment

- Contains outbuildings

- Stands on 0.6 acres

About the town:

Arigna is near Lough Allen (on the Shannon-Erne Waterway), on a designated "scenic route" between Keadue and Sliabh an Iarainn. The village has a long association with the mining industry. Mining was carried out in Arigna for over 400 years until the mines were shut in 1990.

For more information click here.

Read more: Irish property expo in New York a great success

Coollemoneen

Where? Drumnacool, Sooey, County Sligo

What? One bedroom detached cottage

How much? $22,044 (€20,000)

Features:

- Derelict property

- House includes three rooms, one being the bathroom

- Stone outbuildings on c0.75 acres of land

About the town:

The town of Sooey, meaning abounding in the plant Sorrel, is situated near Riverstown. It is the burial place of Provisional Irish Republican Army volunteer, Kevin Coen. The village has its own church, primary school and community hall.

For more information click here.

Most Expensive

Sandpiper Cottage

Where? Mannin Beach, Ballyconneely, County Galway

What? Cottage with four bedrooms and two bathrooms

How much? $1,047,190 (€950,000)

Features:

- Stone-clad residence with views of Mannin Bay

- c. 0.5 acres of private grounds, secure gate, mature gardens

- The houses accommodation includes four bedrooms, a living room, kitchen-dining area, and a bathroom with sea views

- A stone-clad garage

About the town:

Ballyconneely settlement is spread out north on the road to Clifden and south on the road to Roundstone. This peninsula, jutting into the Atlantic Ocean between Clifden to the north and Roundstone to the south, is a quiet rural area. The area is surrounded by beaches: the Coral Strand at Derrygimla; west and north to Knock, Mannin, Dunloughan and Truska; and east and south from Keeraunmore, Aillebrack, and Ballyconneely Bay to Calla, Dolan and Murvey. Some of these bathing spots provide bases for shore fishermen.

For more information click here.

Mallahow

Where? Naul, North County Dublin

What? Six bedroom detached cottage, with three bathrooms

How much? $936,904 (€850,000)

Features:

- Overall floor area 225 square meters (2,422 square feet)

- No work is required on moving in

- Stone-clab structure on an elevated site, with c. 1.25 acres of property

- The property includes a family-size kitchen and breakfast area, large utility room, two large reception rooms, and spacious dining room both with wood burning stoves

- The master bedroom has a large en suite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe. It also has views to the rear of the site, via patio doors

- A courtyard-style area just off the lounge in the middle of the property is protected from the elements and could be used all year long

- There is a detached shed, which could be converted to a wood pellet store with a separate feeder

- The landscaping on this property has many nooks and cranny's to explore. The property is bordered by high and very mature hedgerows and electric gates to the front.

- Various out buildings, log cabin, workshop, wet room, boiler room, and sun set den.

- Outdoor shower, outdoor power, and water supply

About the town:

Naul is a village in Fingal, north county Dublin. The name also encompasses the townlands which surround the village: south as far as Hollywood Rath, and northward to the River Delvin beside the village, which marks the boundary between the counties of Fingal and Meath.

For more information click here.

Dargle Lodge

Where? Upper Dargle Road, Bray, County Wicklow

What? Detached four bedroom cottage, with three bathrooms

How much? $882,184 (€800,000)

Features:

- Overall floor area 199 square meters (2,142 square feet)

- House set on c 0.56 acres, including gardens and a stream

- Property has been extended with a fantastic double-height extension

- Period features

- Aga in kitchen

About the town:

Bray is a busy urban center and seaside resort, with a population of 31,872 making it the ninth largest urban area in Ireland at the time of the 2011 census. It is situated about 12 miles south of Dublin on the east coast.

Bray's scenic location and proximity to Dublin make it a popular destination for tourists and day-trippers from the capital. Bray is home to Ireland's only film studio, Ardmore Studios, hosting Irish and international productions for film, television and advertising.

For more information click here.

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