Former Garda station in Ballyduff to be sold at auction
The former Garda station in Ballyduff Upper is to go on sale by online and public auction in May. At a guide price of €180,000, members of the public can make their bids on the iconic property on May 5 at 2pm in the Park Hotel in Dungarvan.
The three-storey period property, being advertised by Gleeson Property, is situated on an elevated site of circa 0.5 acres, located near the Blackwater River in Ballyduff Upper.
News of the sale of the property follows an announcement made in June last year that a number of disused Garda stations in the locality were to be disposed of in 2022, by the Office of Public Works (OPW) by public auction.
Between 2012 and 2013, An Garda Siochána announced the closure of 139 Garda stations, including those located in Ballyduff Upper in County Waterford, along with Galbally and Kilfinane in County Limerick.
At the time it was noted that a planned programme was in place for the disposal of the three former Garda stations, as an OPW spokesperson claimed the programme has been delayed on a number of occasions during 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19.
As a matter of policy, the spokesperson added at the time, no former Garda station property is disposed of until there is ‘absolute certainty’ that there is no alternative state use for the property.
“The OPW may consider community involvement, subject to a detailed submission that demonstrates that the community or voluntary group seeking to use the property has the means to insure, maintain and manage it in order to reduce costs to the Exchequer,” the spokesperson added at the time.
FAMILIAR LANDMARK
At the start of the month, the sale of the former barracks in Ballyduff Upper was advertised as going to auction.
The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) describes the building as a Detached three-bay three-storey rubble stone Scottish Baronial-style Royal Irish Constabulary barracks which is of architectural, historical and social interest.
On a 192.47 square metre site, the NIAH notes that the building has been well maintained to the present date and states that it is of considerable significance, as it represents the ‘earliest surviving civic building in the locality of Ballyduff’.
“The building retains most of its salient features and materials, and it is presumed that the interior is similarly intact. Prominently sited at the junction of two roads and on an elevated site, the building is a familiar landmark in the locality,” the NIAH said.
Local rumour dictates that the building was originally intended to be constructed in India, however, architectural plans were mixed up, resulting in the property being built in Ballyduff.
The building is advertised as comprising of an entrance hall, reception room, bathroom and kitchen. Upstairs, it is noted, there are three rooms, the larger of which contains an open fireplace whilst the lower ground floor, houses a large room also with an open fireplace, and two storerooms.
“Built in 1869 and designed by the Jacobs brothers, this Scottish Baronial-style building first served as the Royal Irish Constabulary barracks. The building was vacated in 1921 and was reduced to a burnt-out shell during ‘The Troubles’. The barracks were rebuilt in 1926 for use as an An Garda Siochana Station until 2013,” the advertisement reads.
Included in the property sale of the historic protected structure is a courtyard with small outbuildings and storage sheds.
“This property has immense potential and with a little imagination could make a fabulous home, Bed and Breakfast/Air BnB or business premises (subject to planning permission),” the advertisement adds.
It is expected to attract some attention when it finally goes under the hammer next month.