420ac island hits the market in Mayo

Nestled in Killala Bay, at the mouth of the River Moy, Barragh Island stands at close to 5km long, containing approximately 420ac

Nathan Tuffy

8 January 2020

Bartragh Island has come on the market. The 420 acre island has a guide price of €1,100,000.

It is not often that a large farm comes on the market in the west of Ireland, but it is much more seldom that a large island farm comes on the market. Nestled in Killala Bay, at the mouth of the river Moy, lies the 170ha (420ac) island. The island is steeped in heritage. In the 19th century, a house was built on the island which still remains. According to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) it is the only natural sand bar island in Ireland.

It is not often that a large farm comes on the market in the west of Ireland, but it is much more seldom that a large island farm comes on the market.

Nestled in Killala Bay, at the mouth of the river Moy, lies the 170ha (420ac) island. The island is steeped in heritage. In the 19th century, a house was built on the island which still remains. According to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) it is the only natural sand bar island in Ireland.

The property, which is offered for sale by Colliers International Estate Agents, is an island extending to approximately 4.6km in length and about 0.5km wide at the widest point.

The island reaches a maximum elevation of approximately 26m above mean sea level.

While it is an island, locals say that it is possible to access the island by land at certain low tides from the Killala side. However, with the island around 800m from the mainland, this is not for the faint hearted.

The island can be accessed from the mainland at some low tides.

Also, locals have noted that while it may be possible to access it, the tides turn quite quickly and could leave one stranded.

As the River Moy flows between the island and Enniscrone beach, it is not possible to access from this side by vehicle at any stage.

The majority of the island is a sand bar and is contained in the Killala Bay/Moy Estuary SAC which may limit its potential from a farming or development point of view.

However, the eastern end of the island, containing the house, and approximately 15ha of good-quality farmland, laid out in large fields are not contained in the SAC.

The island has been grazed by cattle, sheep and horses in the past but at very low stocking rates.

The house is registered in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.

The sprawling house is said to consist of 17 rooms. In the early 90s the house was purchased and began renovations to the house began with a view to develop it into an institute for biodynamic therapy.

The house on the island is in need of serious renovations.

Sadly, the works were never finished on the house and it has lain derelict since then. At time of the renovations and since then, the house was said to have been subject to vandalism and now requires extensive renovations to bring it back to its former glory.

The house has a five-bay front with half dormer attic, Georgian Gothic single-bay breakfront with main entrance porch and window over, built circa 1838.

The interior of the house has seen some refurbishment work with the partial dry ling having been applied. Vandalism and extreme weather conditions have left the house in urgent need of repair.

Along with the residence, there are outbuildings, all in need of renovation along with a walled garden.

While the buildings on the property are in severe disrepair, the setting is one of the most fantastic locations on the west coast, boasting views of nearby Killala and Enniscrone. The property has been brought to the market with a guide price of €1.1m.