The investment in Rockwell Farm in Co Tipperary by the Magnier family of Coolmore Stud will add “another string to our bow”, according to James Mockridge, farm manager at Coolmore.

The 813ac dairy farm in the Golden Vale was purchased before Christmas by serial investors Michael McElligott and Fintan Flood for over €25m, and last week it was revealed that the Magnier family has come on board as an investor in the farm.

When asked by the Irish Farmers Journal if he thinks there will be more of a focus on dairy farming in Coolmore operations in the months and years ahead, Mockridge said: “I think, of course, there is going to be that opportunity.”

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“In the 15 years I’ve been here, the agricultural side has grown massively. We already run a large operation with significant cattle numbers, and this expansion will further diversify what we do.”

“Farming and livestock management are becoming more technical all the time,” he said.

Multi-million euro plans

McElligott and Flood are directors of a company called Bovinae Investments, which was set up last year.

The focus of the company is to “pursue long-term investment opportunities in the dairy farm sector”.

A spokesperson for Bovinae said that they perceived Rockwell as “a once-in-a-generation acquisition opportunity”.

“Following a competitive sales process, we were pleased to conclude this purchase in December 2025,” the spokesperson said.

Bovinae has since developed multi-million euro investment plans to grow the herd to “upwards of 1,000 cows and to further enhance the farm’s infrastructure and facilities”.

The farm currently has 621 cows, with the aim being to reach 1,000 cows by 2029.

“We also received approaches from a number of interested parties and indeed initiated contact with a number of other parties about potentially partnering with Bovinae to grow the farm and its dairy herd.

“We are pleased to confirm we have agreed terms that will see the Magnier family coinvest in Bovinae.

Focus

“Our focus is on ensuring Rockwell Farm will remain one of Ireland’s premier dairy farms and a major contributor to the local dairy industry and economy,” the spokesperson said.

When queried on the investment, a spokesperson for the Magnier family told the Irish Farmers Journal: “The Magnier family has huge respect for Michael McElligott and Fintan Flood and are pleased to support their ambition and plans for Rockwell Farm.”

The farm was put on the market in October 2025 by its owner, the Spiritan Order, and was sold as part of the order’s commitment to make redress to victims of child sexual abuse by its members.

This article was updated on 30 April 2026.