From speaking with auctioneers about why land doesn’t sell, one of the main pieces of feedback is that oftentimes the guide far exceeds what is realistic for a certain holding. In this week’s Property section of Irish Country Living, there are some excellent farms profiled that are very reasonably guided. None more so than the lovely 76-acre residential farm in Kilcooney near Geashill in Co Offaly. Guided for a highly respectable €450,000, the farm is being offered by Matt Dunne.

The Portarlington-based auctioneer has a number of holdings on the market for auction in October and one of the standouts is, without question, this farm. Made up of 76 acres, it also contains a number of farm buildings and a lovely three-bed house.

Accessed via a laneway, the farm is private and would suit either a local farmer willing to expand or a couple willing to purchase an affordable house with land. The property is being offered to public auction on Thursday 11 October at 3pm in The Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge.

The 76 acres in Geashill are reasonably guided.

The 76 acres in Geashill are reasonably guided.

History

Speaking with Matt Dunne, you are always sure to get the proper rundown on any holding that he brings to the market and this farm has its own story. Previously owned by the Odlum family (the flour mills), it was bought by the O’Connor family as a 56-acre farm in 1970 for £6,000 or almost £110/ac.

The holding was expanded to 76 acres in 1988 when Dunne handled the family’s purchase of an adjoining 20-acre holding. Today the farm is in very good condition having been maintained well by the farmer renting the land, says Dunne.

The farm

The 76 acres are divided up into nine separate good-sized fields. Well fenced, the land is presented in grass and is well cared for. The farm has been rented for the last 20 years but investment in the property has been made during that time to keep it modern.

An array of farm buildings are present, including a five-span hay shed with double lean-to, part of which is slatted, a silage slab, and multiple other sheds.

The house has been recently refurbished and comprises a front parlour, kitchen/dining room, utility room, three bedrooms and a bathroom, stretching 1,750 sq ft in total. Attractive pebble dash exterior, double-glazed windows, oil-fired and solid fuel central heating throughout ensures the holding is liveable.

The price of €450,000 or €6,000/ac is super value for what you are getting. Interest has surely been generated from such a reasonable guide.