A 42.5ac residential farm in Co Laois is headed for auction at the end of the month unless previously sold.

On the books of Matt Dunne & Associates, Portarlington, this executor sale sees the farm available to purchase as the entire or in three lots, as follows:

Lot 1 – consisting of the residence, an old cottage – is nine acres of good arable land. The cottage requires refurbishment but is sure to benefit from the increased interest in similar houses over the last two years. There are also a number of old farm storage buildings adjacent to the house. The land is divided into three fields and the guide price on this lot is €160,000.

Alongside this is lot 2 and this is made up of 7.75ac of good arable land that may have site potential. The land is divided into two fields and there is an old two-bay hay barn near the roadside. The guide price for this is €65,000, or €8,400/ac. With this farm situated just 10km from Portlaoise – one of the fastest-growing towns in Ireland that is well served by road and train network – means a combination of lots 1 and 2 could make it very appealing to anyone looking to escape urban life looking for a small holding with a house.

The balance of the land is included in lot 3 and is a short distance away from the other two lots. Accessed via a private laneway, it comprises of a parcel of 25.75ac of good arable land with mature hedges offering great shelter.

It is divided into five fields ranging from two to five acres in size. This larger lot is guided at €230,000, putting it just under €9,000/ac.

Lot 4 is the entire. This is guided at €455,000, or circa €10,700/ac.

Auctioneer Matt Dunne said the property was home to Mr John Rafter a noted water diviner and he was hoping for some “divine inspiration” ahead of this sale. The auction will be held on Wednesday 23 March at 3pm, in the Maldron Hotel, Portlaoise.