Big demand for country homes

Buyers are showing a greater appetite for million euro country houses within commuting distance of major cities, writes Susan Mitchell.

The past year has been a successful one for the country homes market, particularly in the greater Dublin area, where estate agents have reported increased interest in country homes within an hour's commute of the capital.

Many are predicting even stronger demand next year, as new motorways reduce driving times from counties throughout Leinster to Dublin.

According to David Ashmore of HOK Country, about 60 per cent of country sales in the €1 ...