If you ever wanted to know what over 220 acres of land in one block, with no boundaries, hedging or fencing looks like in this country, Rathcoffey Castle may give you the answer.
Rarely does one enter a farm in Ireland and witness the layout that this holding presents. Unique in so many ways, this farm is quite simply superb – and that is putting it mildly.
The entrance and roadway to the castle and its surrounding 224 acres of arable land are located bang in the centre of Rathcoffey village, just 10 minutes from the M4 motorway and just over half an hour drive from Dublin city.
As you walk up the long, sweeping avenue to the farm, you get this sense of anticipation of what is to come.
Striding up the wide roadway, you take note of how wonderfully well maintained it is. In fact, I remember commenting one could fit two lorries side by side, such is the width of it.
The beautiful 224-acre farm at Rathcoffey Castle is guided at €3.75m and is offered by Sherry Fitzgerald Country Homes.
In the distance you can see the brow of the hill, where you can slightly glimpse the edge of the land. Each passing metre offers a greater view of the approaching farm. Anticipation builds further as you use your imagination to guess what may lay before you.
Then, after a circa 200-metre walk, you come to the top of the hill and whatever pre-existing idea you had of what this place looked like is quashed. Because quite simply, it is better. There is almost a feeling of endless space as you look around. There are no hedgerows or fencing to divide the holding.
The views of the countryside are splendid. In front of you lays the ruin of Rathcoffey Castle, which even as a ruin looks majestic.
The land, which is currently in stubble, stretches in every direction. The standard and compulsory ‘this is some place’ had to be muttered under my breath.
The beautiful 224-acre farm at Rathcoffey Castle is guided at €3.75m and is offered by Sherry Fitzgerald Country Homes.
Background
The origins of Rathcoffey Castle date back to the 15th century, when the Manor of Rathcoffey was granted to Sir John Wogan. Wogan had risen to prominence in the service of Edward I and had been appointed Justiciar of Ireland by the King. In 1754, Archibald Hamilton Rowan bought Rathcoffey Estate from Richard Wogan Talbot, a decendant of the aforementioned Sir John Wogan.
He built a new mansion on the site of the castle, incorporating the original Wogan castle which already stood. It later passed between numerous owners – before coming into the possession of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits).
It was sold to a local farmer in the 1970s and remains in this family until today. The holding has been rented to a tillage farmer for circa five years.
The beautiful 224-acre farm at Rathcoffey Castle is guided at €3.75m and is offered by Sherry Fitzgerald Country Homes.
The land
In terms of the land, it encompasses 224 acres in total. Of this, the vast majority is in tillage, with circa 20 acres in grass. The land in tillage is simply top class. Recently ploughed, it looks the part.
There is slightly heavier land, circa 20 acres, to the rear of the holding – which has been greatly improved in recent years through a good drainage programme, however it’s not as good quality as the majority to the front of the property.
The wide and well-maintained central roadway runs from the edge of Rathcoffey village to the centre of the farm. This is ideal for combines and general transport in and out of the farm. There is another access point to the rear of the holding.
The unique nature of its layout is certain to attract interest. There is no doubt that should livestock, be that equine or cattle be run here, there is a clean slate for a farmer who wishes to divide the farm into paddocks.
Due to its quality it can be used for any enterprise. The price tag would be restrictive for the average farmer, however.
The beautiful 224-acre farm at Rathcoffey Castle is guided at €3.75m and is offered by Sherry Fitzgerald Country Homes.
The guide
The guide price on the farm is €3.75m, or almost €16,750/ac. From an agricultural point of view, the buyer would need a big bank balance to afford it. Investors and foreign interest may also play a part in establishing a new home for this super holding.
Those with equine persuasion also cannot be ruled out, given the significant stud presence around the area.
In any case, the process of finding a new owner began last Tuesday. The farm is being offered by private treaty. Handling the sale is Philip Guckian of Sherry Fitzgerald Country Homes, Farms and Estates.
If you ever wanted to know what over 220 acres of land in one block, with no boundaries, hedging or fencing looks like in this country, Rathcoffey Castle may give you the answer.
Rarely does one enter a farm in Ireland and witness the layout that this holding presents. Unique in so many ways, this farm is quite simply superb – and that is putting it mildly.
The entrance and roadway to the castle and its surrounding 224 acres of arable land are located bang in the centre of Rathcoffey village, just 10 minutes from the M4 motorway and just over half an hour drive from Dublin city.
As you walk up the long, sweeping avenue to the farm, you get this sense of anticipation of what is to come.
Striding up the wide roadway, you take note of how wonderfully well maintained it is. In fact, I remember commenting one could fit two lorries side by side, such is the width of it.
The beautiful 224-acre farm at Rathcoffey Castle is guided at €3.75m and is offered by Sherry Fitzgerald Country Homes.
In the distance you can see the brow of the hill, where you can slightly glimpse the edge of the land. Each passing metre offers a greater view of the approaching farm. Anticipation builds further as you use your imagination to guess what may lay before you.
Then, after a circa 200-metre walk, you come to the top of the hill and whatever pre-existing idea you had of what this place looked like is quashed. Because quite simply, it is better. There is almost a feeling of endless space as you look around. There are no hedgerows or fencing to divide the holding.
The views of the countryside are splendid. In front of you lays the ruin of Rathcoffey Castle, which even as a ruin looks majestic.
The land, which is currently in stubble, stretches in every direction. The standard and compulsory ‘this is some place’ had to be muttered under my breath.
The beautiful 224-acre farm at Rathcoffey Castle is guided at €3.75m and is offered by Sherry Fitzgerald Country Homes.
Background
The origins of Rathcoffey Castle date back to the 15th century, when the Manor of Rathcoffey was granted to Sir John Wogan. Wogan had risen to prominence in the service of Edward I and had been appointed Justiciar of Ireland by the King. In 1754, Archibald Hamilton Rowan bought Rathcoffey Estate from Richard Wogan Talbot, a decendant of the aforementioned Sir John Wogan.
He built a new mansion on the site of the castle, incorporating the original Wogan castle which already stood. It later passed between numerous owners – before coming into the possession of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits).
It was sold to a local farmer in the 1970s and remains in this family until today. The holding has been rented to a tillage farmer for circa five years.
The beautiful 224-acre farm at Rathcoffey Castle is guided at €3.75m and is offered by Sherry Fitzgerald Country Homes.
The land
In terms of the land, it encompasses 224 acres in total. Of this, the vast majority is in tillage, with circa 20 acres in grass. The land in tillage is simply top class. Recently ploughed, it looks the part.
There is slightly heavier land, circa 20 acres, to the rear of the holding – which has been greatly improved in recent years through a good drainage programme, however it’s not as good quality as the majority to the front of the property.
The wide and well-maintained central roadway runs from the edge of Rathcoffey village to the centre of the farm. This is ideal for combines and general transport in and out of the farm. There is another access point to the rear of the holding.
The unique nature of its layout is certain to attract interest. There is no doubt that should livestock, be that equine or cattle be run here, there is a clean slate for a farmer who wishes to divide the farm into paddocks.
Due to its quality it can be used for any enterprise. The price tag would be restrictive for the average farmer, however.
The beautiful 224-acre farm at Rathcoffey Castle is guided at €3.75m and is offered by Sherry Fitzgerald Country Homes.
The guide
The guide price on the farm is €3.75m, or almost €16,750/ac. From an agricultural point of view, the buyer would need a big bank balance to afford it. Investors and foreign interest may also play a part in establishing a new home for this super holding.
Those with equine persuasion also cannot be ruled out, given the significant stud presence around the area.
In any case, the process of finding a new owner began last Tuesday. The farm is being offered by private treaty. Handling the sale is Philip Guckian of Sherry Fitzgerald Country Homes, Farms and Estates.
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