About 10 years ago, I went to walk a circa 249-acre residential farm situated at Graigue House, Shanballymore, Co Cork. Apart from its sheer size, I remember the fabulous mature hardwood trees that lined the avenue and the blue and pink eye-catching hydrangeas in the front garden at the time.

Well, Graigue House is back on the market but this time it stands on just under 300 acres. The current owner (a developer) bought a further circa 49 acres around the same time that he secured Graigue House to bring the total area to 298 acres. It’s understood the property was bought to relocate a farmer who had potential development lands. The sheer size coupled with the wonderful character of the place is likely to strike a chord with equine owners, particularly given that it’s only 10 miles from Mallow race track.

Our records suggest that this is the second biggest farm to be offered for sale in Co Cork so far this year – the largest being a 358-acre residential farm located at Walshestown, Midleton, which was offered for sale by tender in recent months.

Graigue House comes to the market with a period residence and a range of farm buildings. The land, which has been rented out for a number of years, comprises circa 210 acres of tillage ground, circa 68 acres of grassland and circa 20 acres of marginal land. Selling agent Michael O’Donovan from Sherry FitzGerald O’Donovan, Mallow, is offering the farm in its entirety or in four separate lots which undoubtedly should attract local farming interest, especially from those eager to get their hands on a smaller lot of 20 to 40 acres. Apart from locals, however, some interest has also emanated from Northern Ireland, the midlands and the east of the country.

At a guide price of €2.5m or €8,400/acre, it definitely wouldn’t be the most expensive land in the county and more likely offers a bit of value given that there is a house and yard in the package.

“It would make an ideal stud farm or alternatively would be suitable to a dairy conversion,” said auctioneer Michael O’Donovan, who is handling the sale by private treaty.

In essence, the farm is set out in four blocks – three of which are right beside each other while the third block of circa 105 acres is just a half a mile away. The house and yard stand on circa 134 acres. A 20-acre field sits directly across from the main block on one side while another circa 39-acre field is located across the main Mallow-Mitchelstown road on the other. The remaining circa 105 acres is just half a mile down the road, of which 60 acres are in tillage, 25 acres are in grass and a further 20 acres is of marginal quality.

Mostly laid out in big workable fields, the land is serviced by a range of internal farm roadways while also boosting a number of access points off the road. Bounded by the Ogeen river, the farm is level, has a southerly aspect and benefits from extensive road frontage.

The residence is an imposing three-storey over basement. It is need of refurbishment and hasn’t been lived in for over a year. It features two large reception rooms, kitchen and shower room on the ground floor with a total of six bedrooms and a bathroom on the upper two floors.

The farmyard is traditional comprising a disused dairy, seven loose boxes, two machinery/hay sheds, silage clamp, garage and some stone out-offices. The lots on offer include the house and yard on circa 134 acres; a 20-acre field; a circa 39-acre field and a 105-acre block.