Coastal residential farm is within 2km of Clonakilty
The names of the settlements that have built up here over the centuries read like a wish-list for many who have never had the time to explore this special part of the world: Rosscarbery, Kilbrittain, Inchydoney, Kinsale, Timoleague.
Prominent in this list is Clonakilty. The progressive town is often regarded as one of the most vibrant, industrious and artistically active in Ireland, with the coast on its doorstep, dot-com industry on its outskirts, and a thoroughly traditional heart.
To the south of the former national Tidy Town winning town, the dominant farming activity is dairying.
The soil is well suited to it and there is excellent access to markets in the various towns, as well as Cork city itself.
This is coastal land but not the kind of windswept salt-soaked ground that one might normally think of. Its protected situation coupled with the enriching estuarial waters combine to create some uniquely attractive holdings hugging the coastline.
Such a property is making a rare appearance on the market in the form of a 26-acre farm at Desert, just 2km from the centre of “Clon”.
“There’s approximately 26 acres in three divisions,” says Clonakilty-based selling agent John Hodnett of Hodnett Forde auctioneers. “The residence and outbuildings are standing on 3.5 acres, of which the lands are in pasture. The bigger block, then, is composed of 21 acres. Part of it is under maize, and the rest is under pasture.”
The final piece of this attractive jigsaw is a 1.5-acre field right beside the sea at the most northern end of the holding. The agent reveals that they have already received an opening offer on this portion of the land.
“This field is away from the main holding, adjoining the Clonakilty Ring road.” The other two portions are right next to one another, although separated by a minor road.
The agent pulls no punches in describing the quality of the farm: “It’s a spectacular holding only a mile or so from Clonakilty town centre. Part of the lands adjoin the Ring coastal road, and the holding is also intersected by a secondary tarred road.”
According to John, the lands are “of top quality. They’re very good quality and they’d be suitable for any crop.”
The house itself is of the traditional two-storey variety, an attractive dwelling casting even more attractive views across the estuary. It has an extension on the southern gable and accommodation consists of four bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, lobby and living room.
“The house is on an elevated site with great views.”
As regards the sale of this farm, it will be by private treaty and the vendors are allowing for a number of eventualities, according to the level and type of interest.
“It can be sold in one or in three suitable lots,” says John. “It’s a unique property, really. We would have sold land close to Clonakilty in the past, but this one is a residential holding and as soon as it went online last week, we’ve had a significant amount of enquiries, with quite a number of viewings already… I suppose a package like this doesn’t come up too often.
“The house will require renovations and upgrading. However, its location is superb.”
With regard to value, the uniqueness of this package makes for a number of variables. According to the agents, the expectation on the land is in the region of €12,000 per acre, while the house should, according to John, be fetching somewhere in the region of €170,000 and €200,000.
