Wicklow farm in ‘great heart’ for €9,000 plus per acre
ONE of the more substantial Wicklow farming properties to come on the market in recent times is for sale at Knockadreet. The 114ac residential holding, which has top-class shedding and a single-storey farmhouse in need of refurbishment, comes with a guide price of €9,000 to €10,000/ac.
Located in the north-east of the county, the farm is 6km from Newtownmountkennedy, 7km from Roundwood and 8km from Ashford.
It is described by auctioneer David Quinn as a lovely farm with good facilities and plenty of potential.
“The single-storey farmhouse might be in need of total refurbishment,” he said, “but its pres- ence is vital for any planning application. Planning is very restricted in this area.”
The land is divided into 18 fields. The Vartry River flows through the holding dividing it into two lots with the house and yard located on 72ac in the townland of Knockadreet while 42ac with a cattle crush and cattle handling facilities are in the townland of Tomriland.
The land is all grazing ground and Mr Quinn says that aside from a 5ac piece of woodland and softer ground, the place is in great heart.
Road frontage is very limited but there are two good access points from the road and a cul-de-sac.
The land has been well looked after and carefully farmed over the years. The hold- ing was home to a sheep and beef operation that produced award-winning cattle in local and national shows.
There is a wide range of facilities in the yard, including a 98ft x 75ft slatted shed built in 2009. The building has 18 slatted pens with rubber mats, a central feeding passage and external passages on either side.
At full capacity, it can house 300 young cattle or 200 beef cattle.
Other facilities include: ÷a 16 tonne meal silo with an electric augur beside an uncovered silage slab ÷a 3-span round roof shed with two lean-tos ÷a 3-span loose cattle shed with a feeding area ÷a covered 3-span silage pit with a 2-span lean-to ÷two 4-span round roof sheds with a 2-span lean-to ÷a fully enclosed lofted shed ÷a fully enclosed storage shed ÷a concrete built garage ÷cattle handling facilities on a series of open yards.
The yard and house are at the centre of the property and reached by an avenue behind electric security gates. The house is a traditional single storey cottage type dwelling extending to approximately 1,250sqft.
The place is serviced by electricity and running water from a private well but is in need of complete refurbishment or replacement. The accommodation includes an entrance porch, a dining room, back kitchen, living room, two bedrooms and a bathroom.
“This farm is suitable for any purpose,” said David Quinn. “With some simple alterations it could be transformed into a fine dairy operation.”
The property will be sold in two lots or as an entire. The lots will comprise the house and yards on 72ac and a 42ac portion divided from the rest by the Vartry River.
The auction takes place at 2pm on Friday, September 29 at the Glenview Hotel, Glen of the Downs, Co Wicklow.