TWENTY five houses were sold in the space of just half an hour in Ramelton on Monday in what has been described as a further example of the confidence in the Donegal property market.

The houses, under construction at Radharc An Chuain on the Milford Road, were snapped up within minutes of being released without being advertised or brochures prepared due to the demand.

Speaking to the Donegal News, Mr Gareth McLarnon, Assistant Manager, Franklins Estate Agents, Letterkenny, said the houses were bought by a range of owner occupiers, local investors and investors from Northern Ireland. The houses are a mix of four bedroom detached and four bedroom semi-detached ranging in prices from ¤215,000 to ¤247,000, with or without turnkey packages.

"The brochures were not completed but due to the demand and enquiries the developer released the first 25 houses on Monday and they were sold within half an hour. We put a preliminary notice in the Donegal News last Friday and the interest was so strong the developer went ahead and released them on Monday," Mr McLarnon said.

"This is a sign of the confidence in the current property market as opposed to the doom and gloom in other parts of the country, in particular Dublin. The reported slowdown in other parts of the country is not being reflected here where confidence is still high," he added.

Mr McLarnon said in all 60 houses would be built as part of the development which is a continuation of the existing Coylin Court scheme on the outskirts of Ramelton.

"The next phase will be released within the next three to four weeks," he said.

The houses are being built by Inish Developments from Derry.