Clonkeen, Carbury, Co Kildare, was bought by its late owner, a native of Co Leitrim, over 20 years ago.

With a keen interest in beef, the best Charolais and Limousin cattle were bought in the west of the country and fattened at Carbury, many weighing over 1,000kg and grading U at slaughter.

Over the years, the fencing was upgraded, gates were hung, handling facilities were significantly improved and a brand new slatted shed was built by the Leitrim native which allowed Clonkeen to function as a one-man operation the majority of the time.

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I got the opportunity to view Clonkeen last week with auctioneer Stephen Barry from Raymond Potterton Auctioneers, Navan. Three words came to mind: “A tasty operator.”

The yard is immaculately maintained while the house, although not lived in for many years, is aired and heated. The land is meticulously fenced, hedges are cut back, and farm buildings are modern, intact and functional. Nothing is out of place. All that is needed now is an increase in temperature to allow the grass to grow and the trees to blossom, which, in a month or so, will show off the real character of the place.

To top it all off, Clonkeen stands on 382 acres, of which c.332 acres is set out in one big grazing block. The remaining circa 50 acres is planted, mainly to Spruce, and this is accessed from two rights of way.

Big farms are not uncommon these days. Just last week, 408 acres near Mullingar went to auction, as did a 258-acre property close to Nenagh. Both sold under the hammer.

Clonkeen is one of the biggest farms to arrive on the market in Co Kildare to date this year and, similar to other sizeable units, is expected to generate interest from all over the country. In addition, the strength of sterling could possibly stir up some Northern and UK inquiries which apparently are getting more frequent.

When I arrived on the farm last week, there were still some super bullocks left in the slatted shed and they certainly weren’t short of size, weight and flesh. Clearly, it was a case of the bigger the better.

Built by the late owner, the modern six-bay slatted shed is 120 feet wide, divided into 24 pens with an access strip between the pens to conveniently allow the removal of a sick or lame animal. Features include rubbers on the slats, spaced sheeting, wooden feed troughs and an automated slurry aeration system with external extraction points.

There are also three covered silage pits which are adjoined on one side by a six-bay slatted lean-to (double-sided) while on the other side is a cubicle shed. Other buildings include a machinery shed, five-bay hayshed, a nine-bay loose cattle shed with isolation pens, fertiliser store, a 20-tonne galvanised meal bin and a large handling area with crush. On a number of occasions over the years, the owner fattened up to 400 cattle in the yard.

Although not lived in for many years, the owner kept and maintained the two-storey residence. A new roof was fitted and double glazed windows were installed in 2005. Coupled with that, the house was aired and heated regularly. Features include high ceilings (nine and 10 feet), a marble fireplace, cornicing, Aga cooker and a modern fitted kitchen. Accommodation comprises two reception rooms, kitchen, utility, bathroom and three bedrooms. Overlooking its own land, the house is in good, sound order which possibly could benefit from some internal decor.

The grazing part of the farm is laid out in one sprawling circa 332-acre block that is divided into big roomy fields of old pasture. With the exception of some summer grazing land, Clonkeen is a fine level fattening farm. The perimeter is fenced with creosote posts and electrified barbed wire and the internal fencing is just as meticulous. Water is piped throughout from a private well. It’s suggested the land has never been ploughed in living memory.

The property lies adjacent to a strip of Coillte-owned forestry on one side. Coillte has a right of way through part of the land at Clonkeen that allows access to this forestry. However, the c.50 acres of forestry belonging to Clonkeen itself does not adjoin the main 332-acre grazing platform (it is within close proximity) but rather is accessed by two rights of ways.

Despite the scale and size at Clonkeen, however, road frontage is limited and the primary access to the property is through a right of way. This may be problematic for some but it has worked successfully for many years.

For sale by auction on 21 April next at 3pm in Johnstown House Hotel, Enfield, Clonkeen will be offered in one lot only by selling agent Raymond Potterton Auctioneers, Navan. The entire package is guided at €3 million (€7,800/acre). There is no forestry premia or entitlements with the sale.

The sheer size, coupled with the house and the modern yard, certainly makes Clonkeen an attractive proposition to someone who is willing to relocate. With some further investment, it also has the makings to be developed into a fine 332-acre workable dairy platform that is unbroken by roads.