A rare 19th-century style home has gone on the market in Wexford for €70,000 and is one of only 3,000 of its kind left in Ireland.
The one-bedroom thatched home is just 56 sq. m. and was built in 1940.
It has endless potential which can reportedly be seen with a similar property next door which has been fully renovated.
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Back in the 19th century, most Irish families once slept under thatched roofs, however, they became a rarity when the government introduced grants that encouraged homeowners to replace thatch with easier-to-maintain slates or tiles.
Therefore, thatched cottages quickly became associated with housing for the poor and were left derelict by many past owners.
According to the popular Instagram account, @CheapIrishHomes, “there are only about 3,000 thatched buildings left in Ireland, and a few dozen thatchers left in the industry to maintain them.”
There has been a growing interest in restoring these types of homes and so the Irish government brought in grants to renovate these properties.
It reportedly costs around €25,000 to re-thatch a cottage of this size, depending on the type of thatch used - and it can last about 20 years.
According to the auction agent, Sherry Fitzgerald, “This charming thatched cottage is located in the village of Ballyedmond.
“The property consists of a kitchen/dining room, a bathroom, sitting room, and bedroom with a loft room overhead.
“The cottage itself has an abundance of character and is in need of modernisation and restoration. It is the ideal project for any property enthusiast.
“The cottage sits on a nice site and is surrounded by mature trees and hedging which provides a private spacious garden.
“The location is ideal within easy access to the coast, approximately 2km from the village of Monamolin and less than 15 minutes from the M11, with Gorey Town located approx. 20 minutes away.”
This property will hit the auction block on Wednesday, June 1, 2022.
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