By Niall Toner

Copyright independent

Thought about buying a semi? Well, here you have half a house… literally, which is located near the centre of Borris in Co Carlow.

Tell me more about the place…

Derelict House, as it is currently called, at Ballinagree, is literally half the property it used to be – the other half having been chopped off to accommodate the construction of a brand new house next door.

Permission has been granted for a side extension to the “existing dormer dwelling”, as well as “revised elevations and internal layout, a single-storey rear extension, full refurbishment of the original structure plus all associated site and construction works”.

The bad news?

They say a life lived in fear is only half lived, but this is definitely a project for the wholehearted. Aside from the blindingly obvious, this house has been derelict for some time and will need complete stripping back.

It looks like some of the roof tiles have fallen off, or are about to, and though what is left is thought to be structurally sound and useable as part of a new dwelling, this prognosis will be subject to an engineer’s inspection and report on behalf of interested parties.

And the good news?

The cuts do reveal some robust period stone work. Though the property comes with full planning permission to reconstruct the other half (going in the other direction), any plans can be subject to alteration by a new owner, and as the ‘house’ is on 0.9 of an acre, there is plenty of space to work.

As it is a derelict building, it may qualify for local authority grants for derelict and vacant homes, which can amount to €70,000 towards the cost of refurbishment.

There may be further grant aid available towards energy efficiency improvements. If it is true that well-begun is half done, the current owners have already done some of the preparatory groundwork here.

Services are not by halves either, as there is electricity by the roadside, a septic tank and a private well.

How much to buy it?

Offers in the region of €179,000 are being sought here.

And to fix it up?

There can be no half measures. Anyone hoping to take on this project might want the purchase price again handy to carry out the necessary work, which includes building much of it from scratch. Local authority grants may take a little of the sting out of the final bill.

What will I end up with?

A three-bedroom dormer bungalow on an acre, near the centre of Borris – an attractive rural village with a number of good pubs and a hotel/restaurant.

Borris has a popular walk along the spectacular former railway viaduct which is a prominent feature of the village, and is set to become part of the proposed Barrow Valley Greenway when it is completed.

A home such as this could be worth roughly €400,000.

Who should I talk to?

Sharon O’Leary of Sherry FitzGerald McDermott (059) 972 0528 will complete the picture for you.