Perfect tillage ground in this magnificent holding
This North Slobland holding comprises 1,220 acres on the sunny south-east coast, mostly rich polder land reclaimed in 1847. It’s owned by Tralee’s Lee Strand Dairy, headed up by Bill Kennedy, a businessman and farmer, who will figure in our end-of-year review feature in our next Farming on January 3.
The Bergerin Estate tender date was December 7, and John Radford of Sherry FitzGerald Radford has spent the past week fielding calls on the sale, while the tenders were considered.
According to the agent, the board of management at Lee Strand have the final say on the sale of this prime arable ground, which was originally purchased by the Co Kerry co-op for its large milk quota.
A farmer’s farm, it’s been under utilised in recent years, and offers a blank canvas operation for new owners. However, its size is eclipsed by a similar polder holding on the South Sloblands, which went to market with Jackson Stops in 2004. That holding was a sale of the year, too, with 2,050 acres going to a local businessman for a sum in excess of its guide price of €8 million — substantial even in 2004.
It was good value, when it’s considered that the North Slob farm, which is about half its size, is on the market at more than €10 million.
The Bergerin Estate is perfect tillage ground, level, all in one block and early cropping. It’s also good quality grazing land.
Or it could also become a great sporting estate, bounded by a nature reserve, says Radford.
Bordered by the sea and the wild on two sides, the estate has four farmyards, a fine Victorian villa with private gardens and direct access to the sea, three disused staff chalets, and a manager’s bungalow on four acres.
Wexford town is just under four miles away, and Rosslare is a further 12 miles away. Dublin is only 82 miles away, which could suit investor owners from the capital.
However, and in line with trends, the strongest interest in this magnificent holding so far has come from farmers.
