Houseseekers head for the hills of Kilmessan, Co Meath

Beside the restored Station House Hotel in Kilmessan is Bracken Hill. The new development by Beech Tree Homes is currently on its third phase of three and four-bedroom houses. According to the selling agent, buyers from previous launches signed on the dotted line because they were looking for a more rural setting but not one that felt too cut off.

Kilmessan is 13km from Navan town and 40km from Dublin city, with a car journey to Blanchardstown taking 27 minutes. The village caters for locals with a Centra convenience store, butchers, restaurants and a few traditional pubs, as well as schools and sports clubs for younger residents.

Currently on offer are three-bed terrace houses with a floor area of 1,120sq ft, three-bed semi-detached types that measure 1,259sq ft and four-bed detached with living space spread out over 1,485sq ft. Prices at Bracken Hill start at €315,000.

All houses are A-rated and kitchens will be supplied and fitted. Driveways will be cobble-locked in Kilsaran-Newgrange paving and back gardens will be seeded for lawn. For remote workers, there is high speed 100mb fibre broadband available at development.