DESPITE BEING A small country, there are plenty of hidden gems dotted around our island that can go under your radar. 

One of those places is the town of Midleton in the southeast of Cork. Just 16 kilometres east of the second-largest city in Ireland, it is a town rooted in history that still offers plenty to excite visitors and residents alike. It’s easily accessible, located just 3 minutes away from the N25 and close to the M8 as well, which links Cork to other major counties.

Midleton is not just good for a flying visit, but it’s also a great place to live. Its proximity to Cork with the added benefit of its own train station mean it’s a fantastic place to put roots down, especially for those looking to remain connected to the city and to nature. For commuters, Cork train station is only 20 minutes’ drive away should you need to get to Dublin for work.

Glenveagh’s Maple Woods is a striking new collection of beautifully designed family homes in the heart of Midleton that are a great, affordable option for those looking to settle in the area. On sale through McCarthy & McGrath, you can snap up one of the spacious homes left in this community, with prices starting from €315,00 for a two-bed, €355,000 for a three-bed mid-terrace, €370,000 for a three-bed end-terrace and €392,500 for a three-bed semi-detached, with a virtual tour of this house type available here. 

A home in the stylish Maple Woods community.

Midleton’s name translates to ‘Mainistir na Corann’ meaning ‘The Abbey of the Coir’, and is derived from a local monastery, which was founded by the Cistercian monks in the early part of the 12th century. As the largest town in east Cork, it is a bustling spot for businesses, and is home to a renowned food scene, including a number of Michelin Guide restaurants. 

Midleton is a cosy and quaint town, with quiet pubs spread throughout the community and colourful buildings bringing a pop of life to the area. It’s also a great spot for those with an adventurous side, with sailing, windsurfing and kayaking centres all in the area. 

East Cork, the region surrounding Midleton, is a gorgeous setting, with plenty of natural attractions for those who aren’t afraid of getting wet or working up a sweat. You can explore the stunning coastline, home to several wonderful beaches, or discover one of the many scenic trails, either by foot or by bike.

Inch Beach is one the most popular beaches in East Cork.

If more traditional attractions are what floats your boat, you can take a trip to Fota Island Wildlife Park, Cork Opera House or Trabolgan Holiday Village.

Failing that, visiting the Jameson Distillery in Midleton could be another option. Combining a historic tour of the facilities with a tasting of the whiskey made there, it’s sure to be a popular location to visit with friends and family. 

All homes in the Maple Woods community are new builds and boast excellent energy efficiency credentials, with a minimum A-rating on the BER scale, thanks to high standards of insulation and air tightness. These modern homes are equipped with the latest technology, leading to high levels of comfort. 

As with all Glenveagh builds, potential buyers will be supported with unrivalled service by helping to simplify the buying process, offering advice and supporting buyers every step of the way. 

Comfort is king in these A-rated on the BER scale homes.

Maple Woods is perfectly suited for first-time buyers as it qualifies for both the First Home Scheme and the Help to Buy Scheme.  

Let’s take a two-bed property in Maple Woods (check out a virtual tour here) as an example of how you can avail of both schemes together. The home purchase price is €315,000 and first-time buyers are required to have a deposit of at least 10% of the property value.

With the Help to Buy scheme, you can get a maximum of €30,000 towards your deposit, meaning the remaining deposit is only €1,500. This means the total mortgage needed to purchase the home would be €283,500. For more information on the Help to Buy scheme, check out Glenveagh’s site.

The First Home scheme can bridge any difference between the deposit and the mortgage up to the value of 20% of the property price (when used in conjunction with the Help to Buy scheme).

These new builds are perfect for first-time buyers.

Under the current central bank rules, mortgages can account for up to four times the gross salary of applicants. For a mortgage applicant(s) with a salary of €60,000, that equals €240,000. If we combine the deposit and the maximum approved mortgage, this still leaves us with a shortfall of €23,500 compared to the purchase price.

This is where the First Home Scheme comes in, by providing that €23,500 in return for a 7.4% equity share in the property.

With the First Home scheme, there is no charge for the first 5 years, and a maintenance charge is applied after that. For more information, check out Glenveagh’s site.  

For further information on Maple Woods and to request a viewing, register your interest here.

Maple Woods is brought to you by Glenveagh, one of Ireland’s leading community builders.