Where to live?! Glengarriff, Kenmare or Clonakilty

[LaoiseH]

First time poster!

We are hoping to move back to Ireland from UK in coming months. Almost everything is sorted this side but we have been a bit scuppered on the house front due to madness of the market. We had been planning to move to Kinsale area but prices and shortages have made us rethink. We are viewing some houses in Kenmare (my husband absolutely loves Kenmare), Glengarriff and Clonakilty over Easter. We have visited all 3 many times but have never lived there/don’t know anyone.

We have 3 boys under 5 and are looking for a more simple way of life for them. I don’t mind remote (I’m from a small village in East Cork) but want a sense of community. We don’t mind driving and both of us can work from home with some trips to london each month so all are fine re distance to airport. We are up for the adventure but it’s a big move and big expense so want to really do the research!

Looking for stories/advice from those who live in any of these places and what your thoughts are about lifestyle, schools, community etc…

Thanks!

Well I adore Glengarriff but given there isn't even a supermarket... Kenmare is also lovely but for community, how about Castletownbere?

Clonakilty has a real buzz to it, and while its touristy at times, its got a real community feel - and isn't as mental busy in the summer like Kenmare can be. Also has everything you need in terms of shops/doctors etc, and good schools.
Its also more doable if you do end up having to do a day week, sat in an office in Cork.
Another option (and maybe a bit cheaper) could be some of the villages in the Clonakity hinterland - Enniskeane has a vibrant community, Ahioll is small but very tight, Timoleague is lovely, Ballinadee etc

Kinsale is more expensive than Dublin!
Following thread though.
I think I'd move to bettystown or lay town to be near the coast in an affordable house 1 hour from Dublin.
Those pretty cork towns, they are lovely, full of health food shops and jewellery shops and vegan cafés but good luck to anybody who wants a bargain.

If you get one let me know!

Thanks for this super helpful viewing a few houses in and around Clon when home next and feel it could be a great option….

Obviously haven’t posted before as no idea how to reply properly…

castletownbere is lovely and have family there but I think 90mins to cork airport is our max so it is a little too far to live for us… but plan on visiting lots!

xjoy… lovely areas you suggest but we are definitely set on cork/Kerry for family… very aware we won’t be getting a bargain sadly but as it’s a long term play we have come to terms with this…

Any of those places are lovely. Really, it depends on what are your priorities. If you are looking for work, then probably Clonakilty would be best given that it isn't too far from Cork City, and it has the facilities of a town without feeling too urban. Also, long term, if your children plan on going to college, then being within travelling distance to colleges is a big advantage. Accommodation fees can be huge if students have to stay.
Personally, I love Kenmare.
But, all 3 are quite similar in their attractions.

I'm originally from Glengarriff so of course I think it is the most beautiful place in Ireland if not the world. Self consciously rebranded for tourists eg the gorgeous little harbour Poul Gorm is Blue Pool on all signage. People tell me it's more of a community off season. Expensive.

Kenmare rivals GG for beauty and traffic in the town is less insane after various improvements. The footballer / actor Vinnie Jones was ' shocked' at house prices a few years ago when he looked at Kenmare. Bigger than Glengarriff of course.

Clon is less pretty than the pair. But has fabulous beaches! Good shops. Bigger again and probably more community stuff. De Barra's folk club is great for music and stand up. Closer to Cork of course. As PPs have said...important for uni and hospitals. I would favour Clon in that regard.

Kinsale . So far up itself, best seen with an endoscope. Handsome town but crazy expensive. I blame Keith Floyd , all those foodies and ⛵ yachties 😂.

Speaking of beaches - you are from east Cork , what about Youghal? Lovely spot. I like a little place called Killeagh . Not a bit touristy!

There's constant talk of a price drop - if not a crash. Although, depending on what work you do - a crash often means lots of unemployment. Good luck. Well go néirí an t-ádh leat I should say !

Thanks so much for this thoughtful reply! Yes East Cork is lovely and I’m from ballycotton which is particularly lovely but for a number of reasons we feel west is better for us… an endoscope for Kinsale is the best description I’ve ever heard 😂

A crash may come but who knows if or when that will happen so we are thinking we will take our chances (though def means compromising on the house we can afford) and make the leap… much of our work will remain overseas so hopefully that might help to balance any down turn… but hey the world is mad atm… part of the reason we want to go back to Ireland…

Good to hear some community in Glengarriff outside the peak season, yes house prices in Kenmare are indeed eye watering and your description of Clon is making me think more about it…

thanks again!

I am not that familiar with Glengarriff so cannot really comment on that.

If I was picking I would pick Clon over Kenmare. I like the vibe in Clon and the sense of Community. There are lovely shops and businnesses there. Near beautiful beaches. There are good schools there and near Cork City and the Airport.

I like Kenmare but it seems to get really swamped with tourists during the summer causing crazy traffic. House prices there were eyewatering last time I looked.

Looks like Clon seems to be the winner on this thread!

Just wondering if you can update us on how you got on? We made the move back from London end of 2022 with our little one. Been renting in Cork city since then and need to buy somewhere soon as have another on the way and landlord wants place back for his son in Aug so not much time. Looking in Clonakilty now as couldn’t find anything suitable and fairly priced in the city. Both work remotely like yourselves so aslong as not far from airport for occasional trips back to London, we’d like to be closer to nature, family near Macroom and still have the amenities and community of a small town.

Love @Abhannmor's reply🤣 I enjoy an afternoon in Kinsale but that has to be the best description ever. Love Castletownbere but it's a fair drive up to Cork & the airport- think winter evenings or early mornings trying to catch a flight, icy roads heading over the Cousane. Currently living in East Cork, from the City and I'd have to agree Clon & surrounds have it all in terms of woods/beaches/pubs/shops and proximity to Cork without being in the City. Ballycotton is gorgeous but becoming quite built up and you'd still need to travel to Youghal/Midleton for a Supermarket. Best of luck with your move back!

If you are looking at Macroom there are a large number of houses being built on the Killarney side of the town. Also if you go googling there is an article saying permission has been granted for houses on the Cork side of Macroom.

@LaoiseH just hoping you'll see this message.

Clon has the best SuperValu in Ireland apparently. That's my only Clonakilty fact, you are welcome.

West Cork is always going to be on the pricey side. What about East Cork? Someone I know bought in Killeagh recently for reasonable money, close to Ballycotton and Youghal for the seaside and close to the city.

Travelling to Rosslare and back a few times I was very taken with Killeagh. Lovely spot very unspoilt and not too far from Midleton , Youghal as pp said there.