A picture of Cork paradise

LESS than a year ago, a 103-acre farm at South Reen, Union Hall, in west Cork — which included a little island — was expected to sell to an overseas, or upper-level, hobby farm buyer.

Not so.

In the heel of the hunt, the property sold to a native buyer — a neighbouring farmer, through Pat Maguire, of Pat Maguire Properties.

The eventual sale level was never divulged, but it’s believed the farm made close to the guide price. Pat Maguire declared that the vendor was happy with the result and that it sold “close to the mark”.

In the high-demand west Cork area (where the South Reen sale was touted as a “blue moon” event), this marked the reversal of property trends, with farmers now in the ascendant when it comes to buying.

The release of another 48 acres in the Reen peninsula should again draw local agricultural interest for what Pat Maguire describes as 40 “good” acres on the coastal tract, with the remaining eight with cliff-edge ground or rocky outcrop. The land is pitched at €400,000, or €8,300 per acre.

“It has a mile of coastline, and its still one of the most desirable places to put a house. Coastal sites like this would have made near enough to what we’re asking for a substantial farm holding. It comes without buildings and might have potential for planning permission in the right location.”

The property is two-and-a-half miles from Union Hall, and Skibbereen and Clonakilty are within a short drive.

Nearby, there’s a retreat/holiday and kayaking centre.