Castlecomer-based auctioneer Joseph Coogan is bringing a 42ac residential farm at Raheen Lower, Donaghmore, Co Laois to public auction in mid-December.

Offered for sale in its entirety or in lots, it presents a great opportunity to purchase a modern residence set on a block of fertile land.

Lot 1 comprises of the house and circa two acres. Extending to almost 3,000 sq feet in area, the residence was constructed in 2002 and is well set back from the road. It is approached from the public road via a winding avenue lined with mature trees.

The well-designed house consists of a kitchen/dining area, utility room, sunroom, sitting room with open fireplace, living room, office, large shower and toilet. Upstairs consists of four bedrooms - two of which are en-suite - a main bathroom and a walk-in wardrobe.

Dwellings

To the rear of the house, there are two storage sheds and, more notably, a pair of detached buildings. Both look as though they could be converted into dwellings if the purchaser wished. This Lot is guided at €400,000.

All the land is in one block and has road frontage.

Lot 2 comprises of circa 40ac of prime agricultural land which surrounds the residence and buildings. Divided into four equal size fields, there are animal handling facilities close to the road. The land is serviced with a natural and pumped water supply while access to a local group water scheme is available at entrance. There is a guide of €15,000/acre on Lot 2.

Lot 3 is the entire 42ac, residence and farmyard. The property is situated in a lovely, quiet country setting, approximately 4km from Rathdowney, and is within 10 minutes’ drive of both the M7 and M8. That excellent road network has this farm on the radar of many farmers given the level of agricultural activity that takes place within a half hour drive alone, never mind further afield.

The presence of the house and significant block of land mean it may offer an option to a young farming family that may have limited opportunities to build on their own farm.

The house and 42 acres are going for public auction.

A farm this size, with good cattle handling facilities, could lend itself to being a useful silage and young stock operation and in the current climate, with reducing dairy stocking rates, this farm could be part of the solution.

The public auction takes place on Friday 15 December at 3pm, at the auction room in Ballycomey house, Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny.