The Irish Auctioneers and Valuers Institute (IAVI) released its annual property survey for 2009 recently with the general consensus being that it was "one of the bleakest and dismal years the market has ever experienced in this country. Activity levels stagnated across virtually all sectors, while capital values continued to fall. For those whose livelihood depends directly on the property sector, survival was the name of the game."

Address: 13 St Anthony's Road, Gurranabraher, Cork
Type: Two-bedroom semi-detached
Note: Gas fired central heating
Contact: Redfords, 021-4272000
Price: €179,000

Address: 17A, Mount Sion Road, Greenmount, Cork
Type: Two-bed semi detached
Note: Gas fired central heating
Contact: Redfords, 021-4272000
Price: €200,000

Address: 41 Berlingford Drive, Blackrock, Cork
Type: Two-bedroom mid terrace townhouse
Note: Solar panels and gas central heating
Contact: Davishunter, 1 Washinton Street, Cork, 021-4223100
Price: €299,000

The garden you see here belongs to Benny and Cliona McCabe. I heard Benny on the radio before I met him, he was speaking passionately about the traditional Cork pub and what was so very special about them. He transported me to a time when I used to spend more time in them enjoying the crack, warmth and friendships that sprung from them, they were a huge part of our history and tradition.

Address: 4 Lios Na Ri, Grenagh, Co. Cork
Type: Four bed, detached, dormer bungalow
Note: Rear conservatory, adjacent to shopping complex
Contact: Mark Hornibrook, Redfords, Hibernian House 80A, South Mall, Cork. 021-4272000

Amid the ructions, blame games, mud slinging and outcry following the announcement of last week's budget, there were some issues to be considered by homeowners and a tentative sigh of relief mixed with the anticipation of the costs to come. Most will have welcomed the fact that taxes weren't increased (could they go up any further you may ask) while the only new tax was the introduction of a carbon tax.

Address: Blackstone Bridge, Lower Killeens, Cork
Type: Warehouses and office complex
Note: Surrounded by stone wall and wrought iron fencing, security system on site
Contact: Redfords Estate Agents, 021-4272000
Price: On application

Keenan Property Management is one of Ireland's leading property management companies and was established by Brian Keenan and Niamh Shannon in 1997 in Dublin. Ten years later, in 2007, Keenan's expanded its business by opening an office in Cork City and since then has established itself as one of Cork's most professional property management companies.

Address: Mount Carmel, 29 Loreto Park, South Douglas Road, Cork
Type: Four-bedroom semi detached
Note: Original banister and high ceilings
Contact: Michael Creedon, DNG Michael Creedon, 021-4897727
Price: €330,000