Half an island yours for €495,000
Up for sale is a 112-acre portion of the sheltered 270-acre island near Killdysert, just a few miles from local landmarks like Shannon airport on one side and Aughinish Alimina on the other — but a world removed from daily humdrum.
The captivating island is a mile from Co Clare shore. Its two distinct portions, north and south, are joined by a narrow neck of land.
The section going for sale with local auctioneer John Casey is one entire portion, plus some beyond the narrowed section, along with 50 acres of estuarine commonage shared with the owner of the other half of Canon Island. The commonage is suitable for summer grazing.
At one stage the island supported a population of dozens. There were over 20 inhabitants at the time of the 1901 census, for example.
The familiar Co Clare surname, McMahon, was evident in that census, and the last occupant of the house included in this sale was a Morgan McMahon, who died about 30 years ago, according to John Casey.
He says the land wasn’t intensively farmed, and now much of it is colonised by whitethorn and blackthorn, with some sections cleared. Much of the land would be excellent, Mr Casey says, instancing a well-managed nearby island.
A 1837 description said the land quality was excellent, with some tillage. Now, it is organic into the bargain, ideal for those who want to leave the woes of the world behind and work this slice of private nirvana.
The property includes a 200-year old, very basic three-bed stone cottage, with an adjoining, slate roofed 25’ by 15’ stone shed.
The Advised Minimum Value for the lot is €495,000, or less than €4,500 an acre.
