ames L Murtagh auctioneers are delighted to bring for sale Kilclare Demense Estate on 221ac at Kilclare, Durrow between Clara in Co Offaly and Kilbeggan in Co Westmeath. The farm is suitable for a range of agricultural enterprises and can be bought as an entire or in lots.
History: Originally owned by the Armstrong family, the property contains the remains of Belview House, the family home. The Armstrongs made their fortune in linen production from the mid-1700s to the early part of the 19th century.
Linen was the most lucrative business in the country at the time accounting for fifty per cent of Ireland’s total exports. The house was built in the second half of the 18th century and, even in dereliction, it is testament to the prosperity of the Armstrongs.
Among the many built features are two large walled enclosures or walled gardens and a limestone tower, a folly in the form of a monastic round tower built in 1817 on an esker with commanding views of the surrounding countryside.
The estate was sold and divided in 1912 under the 1909 Land Act. The house was subsequently abandoned and is now in ruins.
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The farm: The property is 4km from Clara, 5km from Kilbeggan, 11km from Tullamore and close to the M6 Galway to Dublin motorway. A bell-shaped entrance with wrought-iron gates opens to a short avenue leading to the farmyard.
The 221ac of ground is all in one rectangular block bounded by the Brosna River at one side and by a local road at the other where an old dry-stone wall runs the length of the boundary. The land is in old pasture stretching out over a series of hillocks and vales of free-draining ground that is firm underfoot and suitable for all types of modern machinery.
An esker, on which the round tower is located, crosses part of the holding and is evidence of strong sand and gravel deposits. The land is undoubtedly fertile with an abundance of whitethorn hedging and while it was farmed extensively in more recent times it is in great heart and is certainly a powerful farm of land suitable for tillage, beef, equestrian or dairy.
A large parcel of tillage ground belonging to the farm across the road testifies to the arable nature of the ground. The large fields and the unitary nature of the farm make it ideal for dairy farming. Buildings: A bungalow residence in the yard extends to 1,400 sq. ft. The accommodation includes a sitting room with open fireplace, kitchen/dining area, a bathroom and three bedrooms.
The building is structurally sound but will need refurbishment. Accommodation as follows: Sitting room 5.5m x 3m Kitchen 3.9m x 3m Rear kitchen 3m x 3.7m Bedroom 1 2.7m x 3m Bedroom 2 3.5m x 3m Bedroom 3 3.8m x 3m Bathroom 3m x 2.1m Garage 7m x 3m The outbuildings include an open, free-standing three-bay storage shed, a four column haybarn with a double lean-to and two 60′ x 60′ lean-tos. Lots: The farm can be bought in lots or as an entire: Lot 1: The residence and sheds on 23ac includes the ruins of Belview House and the walled gardens.
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