McCarthy auctioneers mark 50 great years in business

SINCE no-deal Brexit talks have intensified, UK residents are increasingly looking to relocate to Ireland to stay in the EU.

That’s according to Skibbereen based estate agent and auctioneer Charles McCarthy who is celebrating 50 years in business on Bridge Street this year. 

He said: ‘Traditionally, the UK would have been a very strong market for us, but this has declined due to Brexit.  However, interestingly, since talk of a no-deal Brexit has intensified enquiries have picked up from UK residents looking to leave and stay in the EU.  Currency fluctuations tend to have a real impact on our business; when sterling and the dollar are strong, enquiries and sales to the UK and the US pick up significantly.  We have also recently seen an increase in enquiries from the Chinese market.’

His daughter Maeve, director, said: ‘In recent years, and especially as more people are going down the route of remote working in places like The Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen, West Cork is even more attractive to property buyers.  The quality of life here is second to none; you no longer need to be in cities to have a thriving career and, with much shorter commute times, work-life balance is more achievable.  To our clients, that is worth gold.’

The biggest barrier to housing, she said, is the planning permission process and she called for something to be done to make the process more streamlined. 

‘The cost of building is also a factor and the lack of financing, especially for smaller building contractors.’

Charles McCarthy Estate Agents & Auctioneers opened at 46 Bridge St in 1968.  In 1934, Charlie’s father, Charles J McCarthy established a garage and Morris Minor dealership where the current Charles McCarthy Estate Agents & Auctioneers premises is.