Prime fattening land in the midlands

LOUGHNAVALLEY between Mullingar and Athlone is a renowned speed-trap, writes Jim O’Brien.

Drivers trying to make ground between the two Westmeath towns and who fail to spot the speed limit can find themselves at the mercy of the ‘hairdryer’ speed gun in the steady hand of the local lawman or woman.

Loughnavalley is also known as farming country where many a Mullingar heifer earned her beef-to-the-heels reputation and where a residential 40ac farm will surely attract attention when it comes to auction with a guide price of €350,000.

Located beside the village of Loughnavalley the farm is 17.7km from Mullingar. The homestead is set back from the road with an entrance avenue leading to the yard and branching off to the house.

The dwelling is an extensive bungalow with four bedrooms, a sitting room, kitchen bathroom and hallway along with a self contained annex or ‘gran- ny flat’ with two bedrooms, a sitting room, kitchen, WC and bathroom.

In these days of Airbnb lettings, the latter could bring in an extra few euros in income.

Buildings

A substantial farmyard contains an extensive range of farm buildings including a six-column back-to-back cattle shed with a central feeding passage, a four-column cubicle shed also with a central feeding passage, a two column hay barn with a lean-to and a three-bay back-toback lean-to.

The lands are all under grass and are described by Paul Murtagh of Murtagh Bros auctioneers as of excellent quality.

Laid out in neat tidy divisions the fields are watered and fenced and while the place needs a bit of work there is no waste and the ground is sound.

Mr Murtagh says the land around Loughnavalley is renowned for its fattening abilities and this farm would be typical of the area.

At auction the property will be offered in lots or as an entire with the first lot comprised of the entire.

The second lot consists of 38.5ac of land with the out buildings, while the third lot comprises of the house on 1.7ac.

Murtagh Bros along with joint agents DNG Duncan will auction the holding at the Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar at 3pm on Thursday, November 23.