Farming on the edge of the village

A 33ac farm with a house is on the market in a pleasant part of east Galway. The property is beside the small village of Ballymacward and it has a traditional farmhouse, waiting to be modernised and redecorated. It is being sold by C&C Darmody by private treaty.

This is a good location, sitting in the middle of the triangle made by Ballinasloe, Mountbellew and Athenry. The farm is 45km from Galway city and the M6 motorway is very accessible.

The property lies in two separate blocks. The larger one is c22ac, with the house, at Ballymacward. The other block is c10ac about 1km away on the Ballygraney to Gurteen road.

Small village

Ballymacward is a small village. It has a primary school, church, community centre and a pub called ‘The Local’. Land in this area is good, the farming is a mix of dairy, sucklers and sheep.

The 22ac block runs right up to the village – part of it is within the speed limit and it bounds a footpath. This will add to interest in the property. It is a short distance away from the train station.

The house lies on the edge of the 22ac, on its own site of 0.6ac at the side of the public road. It was built around the early 1900s and was reroofed about eight years ago. The structure of the house is in good condition but it now requires an upgrade.

A gate at the rear of the house gives access to the 22ac. There are another two entrance gates to this land from the public road. This ground is good quality. It is rented out and is currently under a cereal crop. Vacant possession will be given to a new owner after harvest.

The 10ac has no road frontage and is accessed via a right of way. It is in grass and it also has been rented out.

There are 21 entitlements with this property which can be purchased. Information on the value of these entitlements will be available shortly from the auctioneer.

Executors’ sale

The property is being offered in lots. Lot 1 is the house on 0.6ac with surrounding outbuildings. Lot 2 is the house with the 22ac. Lot 3 is the 22ac on its own. Lot 4 is the 10ac and Lot 5 is the entire holding.

This is an executors’ sale. Auctioneer Colm Carmody says that there has been good interest in this farm. Regarding the guide price, he says good land in this area is making approximately €10,000/ac.