Property: A star of the future outside Blarney, Cork
Generally, the land is fertile and well-managed from decades of intensive and semi-intensive farming practices.
Dairying predominates, but there is more and more variety in the land use in accordance with shifting fortunes in each of the sectors.
Larger blocks of land are a rarity in this valuable zone and most that come up tend to be in or around the 20-60 acre category rather than the larger more self-contained holdings.
David McCarthy of Lisney’s Cork office is offering a 22.2-acre holding in the townland of Loughane East (just 11km northwest of Cork and 3km from Blarney) that fits the bill of such prime holdings.
It was originally part of a two-lot offer late last year, of which the larger portion (47 acres) was sold some weeks back, achieving a price of €14,500 per acre; almost €1,000 per acre in excess of its guide price.
So what does the future hold for this portion? The current offering is another fine piece of pasture land all in one block with clear road access, according to the selling agent.
The land quality here varies from average to very good, he says, with a small portion in need of reclamation. The gently-sloping fields are currently being grazed by cattle and consist of six divisions clearly laid out and facing northwards.
The property is next door to the soccer pitch of Blarney AFC and access to the farm is via a right-of-way road.
“Access is clear to the property and there aren’t any issues,” says David, who also points out there is a ringfort in one of the fields. The property has a very good water supply and the land is such that the next owners could bring the entire holding up to a very high level.
Another not-inconsiderable string to its bow is the fact it is contained in an area that is zoned rural housing zone in the 2014 Corky County Development Plan.
All of this means that while it may not be a star property of the type that will achieve over €14,000 per acre in the current somewhat cautious market, it is a good piece of land that has the makings of a star of the future for the next owner.
This is a property worth keeping one’s eye on. The current quoted price is €200,000 (€9,000/acre).
