€1.1m expected for 66-acre farm

Good quality shed on the 66-acre farm for sale at Ballyann Askeaton, Co Limerick.

A 66-acre farm is new to the market near the town of Askeaton, Co Limerick.

This is a much sought-after part of the Golden Vale and it isn’t often that a substantial holding like this comes on the market, according to selling agent Richard Ryan of GVM Auctioneers’ Kilmallock office.

The property is in the townland of Ballyann, 6km south of Askeaton and 6km from Rathkeale.

“It’s a top-class piece of land,” says Richard, who adds that there has been a good level of interest so far. “It’s early days yet, but there has been a good bit of initial interest in the farm, so we’re happy with the number of enquiries.”

The generous amount of road frontage involves a lengthy stretch of secondary road, as well as a minor road running through it, making it very conducive to subdivision. The lots being offered consist of Lot 1 (with 40 acres and a yard with a range of outbuildings), Lot 2 (23 acres of land), Lot 3 (a 3-acre holding) and Lot 4 (the entire 66-acre property).

Lot 3, with its frontage onto two roads in a part of the countryside with a number of other dwellings nearby, offers the greatest potential for homebuyers, while the other two lots are more likely to suit someone looking to expand a dairying or an equestrian operation.

So far, it’s difficult to say how it will go. The current market certainly seems to be hungrier for larger holdings when they come up, but there are plenty of hobby farmers looking out for such opportunities in this part of the world, so buyers may favour the individual lots in this case.

“We’ve enquiries on the entire holding and all the lots,” says Richard. “It’s in an area where the new Foynes-Limerick bypass will mean that a number of farmers will lose land and will therefore be seeking to buy more to replace it.”

It will be interesting to see how this farm fares in such a mixed market. The guide price is €1.1m (€17,000/acre).