Belgooly farm was once the homeplace of Taoiseach's father
Just up for sale this week is the farm of the late uncle, and the home place of the father of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, in Belgooly, Co Cork. Not to be confused with the Glengooley of political satire, this farm is close to the coastal districts of south Cork and is on the market with Eamonn O'Neill of Kinsale.
The 82 acres farm is described at excellent agricultural land by Mr O'Neill. Family relative and auctioneer, Roy Dennehy, describes it as: "one of the finest farms in South Cork. They'll be killing one another for that farm", he added.
The land and modest cottage lie between Carrigaline and Belgooly village and are across the road from Ballingarry National School, the site for which would have originally belonged to the Ahern family.
The late Dan Ahern was a typical batchelor, says locals, a modest man in his approach to life. He never modernised his approach to farming, just keeping sheep and a few horses and making enough money to live on.
"He wasn't a big earner, or a big spender", Roy Dennehy says, "he was a modest drinker, and spent his time visiting the neighbours and would spend all evening talking".
As well as the sheep, the late Mr Ahern always kept a few horses, mainly to get around, says Roy Dennehy and he never owned a car.
Dan Ahern farmed in a traditional way, he was born and reared in the area and died there a year ago, at the good age of 82.
The main residence, a cottage on four acres, is being sold in one lot, and while it needs total refurbishment, it's close enough to the city and Kinsale to attract residential purchasers.
The rest of the 82 acres holding is being sold in lots: lot two is 32 acres, lot three is 35 acres and this includes full planning permission for one dwelling. The fourth lot is the remaining 11 acres.
The lands are divided by a main road and have frontage onto four roads.
Laid out in permanent pasture, the holding at Ballingarry West, is described as very good pasture land by Mr O'Neill, who adds that it's also well-fenced. The guide price given is 8,000 to 10,000 per acre and, already, there has been some interest in the sale. The farm is due for auction on Friday, October 18.
