352 acres in the heart of the Burren

Those eager to acquire a sizeable unit in the north Clare region will have a choice of three different properties, ranging from 124 acres to 325 acres, all of which are scheduled to go under the hammer from 1 May onwards.

It’s unusual that three big farms have arrived on the market at the same time in the Burren region of Co Clare. However, these forthcoming auctions should give a good indication of what land in the Burren area is making and, more specifically, what a large residential unit will fetch.

All three properties are residential, have a significant area of winterage, and feature a harvested water supply.

180 acres near Bellharbour

The first farm, situated at Kilweelran, Bellharbour, Co Clare, stands on 180 acres and comes to the market with a single-storey farmhouse in need of modernisation.

The land features 80 acres suitable for grazing or meadowing while the remaining 100 acres is made up of Burren winterage-type land. A natural water supply is harvested and is piped throughout the land. Just 10 miles from Kinvarra and 2.5 miles from Bellharbour, Co Galway, the farm will be auctioned on 1 May next by Vaughan Hannon Auctioneers, Ennistymon, at 3pm in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis.

A guide in the region of €450,000 to €500,000 is quoted.

124-acre package

Next up on 8 May in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, is an attractive 124-acre residential farm at Glencolmkille, Carron, Co Clare.

This farm has not one but two residences – the first is a four-bedroom bungalow in excellent condition while the other house is an unoccupied residence that needs refurbishment. Split by the road, about 27 acres are situated across from the main block that features the house and yard. The land consists of 63 acres of winterage, circa 52 acres suitable for meadowing and circa five acres of rock. Water is harvested from a natural source and there is also a private well with the bungalow.

Farm buildings include an enclosed yard, two cattle sheds and handling facilities. Just 7.5 miles from Kinvarra, Co Galway, and three from Carron, this package will be offered in five lots that include the bungalow residence on three acres; the farmyard on 30 acres; 27 acres of meadowing across the road; 63 acres of winterage and the old house on one acre. The guide for the entire is in the region of €700,000 to €800,000.

325 acres in Burren

On the 15 May is the biggest holding, extending to 325 acres situated at Glenslade, Carron, Co Clare. Mostly comprising Burren-type land, the owner carried a suckler herd on the property and was involved in the BurrenLife project as well as REPS down through the years. The majority is suited to grazing but there is some land that can be used for hay/silage. It comes with an excellent harvested water supply as well as a two-storey residence that, although was re-reroofed, does require further renovation. Located on the main Ballyvaughan to Corofin road, the property is guided at €500,000. It goes to auction on 15 May in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, at 3pm. CL

‘The Forties’ arrives on the market in Wicklow

Someone looking for a scenic rural property in Co Wicklow may be interested in a 61-acre farm at Ballymaghroe, Moyne, Knockananna, Co Wicklow.

It’s understood the late owner of Ballymaghroe was extremely well known in the area and the farm became known locally as “The Forties”.

Nestling on the Wicklow/Carlow border, not too far from the Wicklow Way, the property comes to the market with a derelict two-storey residence and will be offered in one or four separate lots ranging from 26 acres down to three acres.

Suitable for grazing, the land comprises a mix of old pasture and rough grazing ground, some of which might benefit from reclamation. Located about two miles from Knockananna village on the Foleystown/Askinagap road, the lots include the farmhouse on 26 acres; 23 acres, three acres and 11.73 acres, respectively. The grazing ground is guided at €5,000 to €7,000/acre while the guide for the hill land is €3,000 to €4,000/acre. Land rarely arrives on the market in the area, hence good local interest is expected. Joe Kinsella, Kinsella Auctioneers, Baltinglass, is handling the sale by auction but the date is yet to be confirmed.

19-acre at Kiltegan

Elsewhere, the same agent is handling the sale of a 19-acre field at Barraderry, Kiltegan, Co Wicklow, by private treaty. Currently in permanent pasture, the land features good frontage to a main road, is well fenced and has a mains water supply.

The field is being guided at €9,000 to €11,000/acre.