The demand for land in Cork has been rising since milk quotas were abolished and dairy farmers have fiercely competed for land. But one aspect in the last 18 months has been the influence of business people. This cohort of buyers has been active close to urban centres, such as Kinsale, Clonakilty and Cork city itself. With this in mind, the 101 acres that came to the market in the last month at Monees, near Douglas, has pricked the ears of many interested parties, both in the area and further afield. Auctioneer Michael Barry of Dick Barry and Son Auctioneers and Valuers is optimistic about the sale.

“I’m 40 years in auctioneering and I’ve never had as nice a property to sell,” the Cork-based auctioneer told Irish Country Living.

Located on the outskirts of Cork city, the auctioneer was fast to point out the potential around the property.

“The location is fantastic. Douglas is a big address in Cork. The house has value on its own, with an acre or two. People talk about price per acre, but given its location the house and a few acres could make €1m. That still leaves the bones of 100 acres of prime agricultural land available.”

Despite inquiries about splitting the house from the farm, Barry confirmed that this would not be the case.

“It’s all going in one lot, we thought about dividing it, but we said maybe the bigger players might like to do that themselves. We decided that it might complicate things and whoever buys it can do what they want with it after.” Interest in this sale is likely to come from many sources, with farmers and developers all likely to be in the mix.

“It’s in a very good farming area here, outside of that developers would be interested. It’s seriously high-value agricultural land. The location is so good it opens up all options. It’s a rock-solid investment. Long term there is serious development potential,” he explained.

While not zoned for building, the property is located within the boundary of the new Cork city development plans and has potential subject to planning permission.

The land

The land is located between the L6477 road, the very busy main Cork to Carrigaline and Ringaskiddy road. Access is off the minor road which leads from the outskirts of Douglas a mile away. It is close to five minutes’ drive from Carrigaline. The property is within easy access of Cork city.

The farm is the subject of an executor sale. While dated, the farmyard in relatively good order and consists of three four-column, round-roof sheds with lean-tos and 108 cubicle spaces. There is also an old milking parlour which is built in a large stone building with a large loft space. This has cattle handling facilities adjacent to it.

The land was let in recent years and is currently split almost half and half between tillage and grass. There is a roadway leading to the fields from the spacious concrete yard in front of the buildings. The fields are well laid out and fenced, serviced by mains water.

The house contains a large dining room and sitting room, both of which have open fireplaces. The kitchen, while smaller than the aforementioned rooms, is functional and there is also a utility room. There is a bathroom and four bedrooms upstairs. The property is well maintained.

The property is for sale by public auction (unless previously sold) on 14 June at 3.00pm in the Rochestown Park hotel Cork. The guide is €30,000/ac.