With over 100 winners going through its stables, Lougher Stables, Lougher, Duleek, Co Meath, certainly has a strong calibre behind it.

First built in 1984, the property has expanded bit by bit and now encompasses a stunning residence on circa 47 acres. A range of top-class equestrian facilities are also in place. This stunning package has only recently been brought to the market by Smith Harrington Auctioneers, Navan.

The residence, originally built in 1984, was completely refurbished 10 years ago. An oak staircase in the entrance hall provides access to the first floor, where four double bedrooms are in place. These come with a mixture of built-in wardrobes and Sliderobes with the master bedroom having the benefit of being en suite. The entire house is finished to a high standard. Upon entering, you are greeted with a spacious hall which has feature doors to the left and right. To the right is a sitting room with a bay window, a marble fireplace with a mahogany wooden surround, which is fitted with a solid fuel stove. From this room, double doors open up into the breakfast room, which can also be accessed through the kitchen. The kitchen itself is an expansive combination of cream old-style cupboards coupled with marble counter tops.

Prestigious chandeliers hang in every room, highlighting the quality of the property.

The door to the left from the entrance hall leads to a family room which again has a marble fireplace. An archway leads out to a conservatory with a wooden-clad pine ceiling. A stone-clad trophy house is located to the rear of the residence. This is fitted with a mahogany surround fireplace and also has a pine ceiling.

A common trend that runs through every aspect of the property is the organisation and attention to detail. There is not so much as a leaf littering the ground on the driveway up to the house, with the gardens kept in immaculate detail, reflecting the stature of the farm.

Facilities

The equestrian facilities themselves are top class. Situated on the circa 47 acres is a six-and-a-half-furlong gallop along with a two-furlong all-weather gallop which features three hurdles. The two gallops are railed on both sides. The gallop division contains circa 29 acres with the house and yard on the remaining circa 18 acres, located directly across a small country lane.

The compact farmyard encompasses 44 horse stables, 10 of which are block built, with the remaining 34 portable. There are also two portable pony stables. A floodlit sand arena and a grass arena are in place on the farm. Other facilities include a six-unit horse walker, an equine spa unit and a meal silo. In the way of sheds is a two-bay barn with a feed store, a two-bay hay shed and a three-bay machinery shed. Jockeys’ quarters, a tack room and canteen complete the impressive facilities on the farm.

The land itself is typical powerful Meath land. The majority of the circa 29-acre block is bound by the two furlongs and is laid out in three large fields.

The remaining circa 18 acres is divided into an array of paddocks, ranging in size. Currently all in grass, the lands have been previously seeded with an equestrian grass mix.

The property is located within the heart of the racing community and has produced over 100 winners over the years, including winners at Cheltenham, Fakenham, Perth and Dundalk. Ideally located close to various racecourses such as Navan, Fairyhouse, Bellewstown and the Curragh, it is only 4km from the N2 Slane-Ashbourne road.

While the market for such properties is admittedly small in Ireland, the location means that this property could be used as an Irish base for an overseas operation.

The entire is being guided at a price of €1.5m by Smith Harrington Auctioneers, Navan, who are handling the sale by private treaty. This equates to a price of just less than €32,000/acre. However, the residence adds considerable value to the property.

Elsewhere in Co Meath

A very attractive non-residential 62-acre farm is to go for auction on Tuesday 1 August. Located at Ballyfallon, Athboy, Co Meath, the land is currently all laid out in a mixture of pasture and tillage, currently in potatoes. The land has been described as suitable for any enterprise.

The property is being offered in the entirety or in two separate lots of circa 55 acres and circa 7 acres. Both properties come with excellent access and good road frontage. Mature hedgerows line the majority of the property, offering both excellent privacy and shelter. The property will go to public auction with a guide price of €8,000 to €9,000/acre, or between €496,000 to €558,000 for the entire.

Also being offered on the same day is a circa 17-acre residential package located at Stonyford, Mopyfeigher, Ballivor, Co Meath.

A derelict residence in need of complete refurbishment is present on the property. Laid out in one block, it comes with a guide price of €150,000.

Both properties are being offered for public auction by REA TE Potterton, Trim, at 3pm on Tuesday 1 August at The Property Exchange, Trim, Co Meath.