It’s not every day that I get to walk 200-acre farms in Waterford, so when the opportunity arose last week just to do that, I wasn’t going to decline.

That particular journey brought me to Dungarvan where, three miles outside the town, I arrived at a place called Carriglea. I must be forgiven but I had never heard of Carriglea and the tremendous work that the Sisters of Bon Sauveur carry out on a daily basis. Travelling from Caen in Normandy, the Sisters of Bon Sauveur arrived in Dungarvan and purchased Odell estate back in 1904. They established Carriglea Cairde Services while also managing and farming Odell estate for over a century.

After further investigation, it became clear that Carriglea Cairde Services is extremely well got in the area. The services it provides to people with intellectual disabilities is widely recognised and acknowledged in the Dungarvan region. I had the pleasure of getting a quick drive through the meticulously maintained grounds of Carriglea Cairde Services (which is not for sale). These grounds are set right in the centre of a beautiful 207-acre farm.

While the work at Carriglea will continue as normal, it’s the 207 acres surrounding the premises that are currently being offered for sale. The Sisters have decided to retire from farming.

Once home to a dairy operation, Carriglea is currently nurturing a beef, sheep and tillage enterprise. It has always been farmed and managed by the Sisters of Bon Sauveur, with all the machinery hire work carried out by local contractor Tom Joe Murphy. About 83 acres are presently in winter wheat, circa 20 acres in spring wheat, five acres in spring barley, and about 83 acres of grassland.

I’m told it’s a farm that is well renowned in the area for its yielding ability. Local adviser Tom Butler reports that with good management, the crop yields at Carriglea are in the top 10% of Irish target values. Selling agent Brian Gleeson, Dungarvan and Ardmore, describes it as “some of the most prized land that has come on the market in west Waterford in 25 years”.

This 207-acre block spans all the way from the Ballyduff road down to the Dungarvan/Clashmore road, which leads to West Waterford Golf and Country Club. The same road also leads to Brickey Rangers GAA club.

Carriglea has many of the distinct features of a country estate with its attractive stone perimeter walls, white-painted wrought iron gates and fantastic pockets of mature trees which are in abundance at Carriglea. There are a total of four access points to the farm – two on the Ballyduff road and two on the Dungarvan/Clashmore road.

Our first stop on the farm was through one of the access points off the Ballyduff road. Once through the lovely white gates, we were met by some sheep that were happily grazing away in a small paddock, completely oblivious to our existence, but, at the same time, might attempt to leg it out the gate if left unclosed.

This little paddock was dotted with some amazing copper beach trees. Just beyond these was a sweeping circa 53-acre field comprising winter wheat – a tillage farmer’s dream – which was bounded on all sides by stunning mature trees.

The land at Carriglea comprises brown earths over a limestone base. It is described as “friable and free-draining” and, apart from agriculture, “would also superbly suit the development of a top-class nursery for thoroughbreds”, said Brian.

Much of the 85 acres of grassland is found on either side of the main entrance to Carriglea Cairde Services which incorporates a beautiful section of parkland. A number of smaller grass fields and paddocks are found nearer the farmyard, some of which are enclosed with attractive post and rail fencing.

Apart from some slatted tanks, the buildings that are being offered for sale at Carriglea are mostly traditional in nature but quite extensive. These include an enclosed stone courtyard, a disused milking parlour, cubicle sheds, loose-bedded cattle sheds, machinery sheds, calf sheds, hay sheds, stables, workshops and cattle handling facilities.

As the farm buildings are situated in the centre of the farm, the future purchaser will be obliged to construct a new farm entrance up through the land in a bid to provide independent access to the yard. It is currently accessed from the main Carriglea Cairde Services entrance (private entrance only).

To add to all this, Carriglea also comes to the market with a Basic Farm Payment of almost €24,500. Water to the property is supplied from both a private well and a mains line.

When you look around at the surrounding countryside, Carriglea is positioned in a prime dairying area – a region that is renowned for its progressive farming community. These farmers would be amiss not to at least consider buying one of the attractive lots that are available. These include 53.1 acres (accessed from Ballyduff road); 64 acres (accessed from Dungarvan/Clashmore road); and the yard on 89.28 acres which can be accessed from both roads. It really does provide a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire some of the best land in west Waterford. The guide is €12,000/acre or €2.5m for the entire.

Apart from local interest, Carriglea provides tremendous scale and opportunity for someone from outside the area to consider relocating.

To get a clear bird’s eye view of the farm, you can log on to the selling agent’s website at www.gleesonproperty.com and click on the icon for Carriglea.