European buyers battle it out for a small farm in Mayo
A Portuguese couple outbid a French family at the recent auction of a small farm near Crossmolina, reports Jim O’Brien
Rural properties large and small are attracting buyers from the continent as well as locals, customers from the UK and the US. In recent weeks, Karl Fox of Fox & Gallagher, Ballina sold a farmhouse, yard and 10ac to a Portuguese couple working in Ballina while the underbidder was a French family relocating to Ireland.
“This was the first time I had continental buyers in competition to buy a property. Up to now the customers for a place like this would have been locals or bidders from the America or Britain” he said.
The house, yard and 10ac of land are located at Dooleeg More, about 10 minutes from Crossmolina.
Originally part of a 101ac farm, a 91ac non-residential portion was sold to a buyer from Longford some time ago for a price in the region of €125,000. Thst section included forestry, grassland and bog.
The residence is a five-bedroom, single storey dwelling in excellent condition.
Three of the five bedrooms are ensuite, while the living spaces include a new sitting room, the original sittingroom and a south-facing sunroom with views across the countryside
Demand:
to Nephin.
The farm facilities are traditional and arranged in a yard that is immaculately kept. The 10ac of land is located all around the house.
Knockmore auction
Staying in Mayo, Karl Fox is handling the auction of a detached bungalow in need of
renovation on 17.6ac in the parish of Knockmore. The holding comes with a pre-auction guide price of €250,000.
Located 10 minutes from Ballina and about 1.6km from the Knockmore GAA grounds, the holding is situated in a locality renowned for its passion for football. The club won the Mayo senior title last
month for the first time in 23 years.
The auctioneer says the land is up with the best in Mayo. Laid out in four fertile paddocks and in great heart, it has plenty of road access and natural drainage to a river at the rear.
While the bungalow is in need of substantial attention it
has prized development potential since planning permission for new builds is very difficult to get in the area.
The auction takes place at the GAA clubhouse, Knockmore on Friday, October 30 at 3pm. Only those furnishing proof of funds can register and attend. Covid regulations will apply.