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HomeDairy‘Fully equipped’ modern dairy farm on 345ac with €5m guide price
Catherina Cunnane
Catherina Cunnanehttps://www.thatsfarming.com/
Catherina Cunnane hails from a sixth-generation drystock and specialised pedigree suckler enterprise in Co. Mayo. She currently holds the positions of editor and general manager at That's Farming, having joined the firm during its start-up phase in 2015.
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‘Fully equipped’ modern dairy farm on 345ac with €5m guide price

Savills has placed Bellair Estate, a “superb” agricultural and residential estate extending to about 345-acres, on the market with a guide price of €5 million.

Situated in “the heart of Ireland” on the Offaly-Westmeath County border and occupying a private rural location, the estate is “extremely accessible” with the M6 10 kilometres to the north.

Bellair Estate consists of a “rare combination of assets”, including a charming country house at its core.

The house is within historic parkland and includes well-balanced and beautifully proportioned accommodation. Further accommodation on the estate includes a 5-bedroom modern house which a farm manager presently occupies, and a derelict gate lodge.

Bellair Estate

James Butler, Head of Country Agency at Savills, said:

“Bellair Estate offers an extremely rare opportunity to acquire a large-scale, fully equipped modern dairy farm with a fine period house which extends to about 345 acres and lies within a contiguous block.”

He pointed to Bellair Estate’s “deep” history, from renowned owners centuries ago, to award-winning cheese production in more recent years.

The most famous resident of Bellair was Sheila Beddington-Wingfield. The poet later became known as Viscountess Powerscourt and was the leader of the Irish Girl Guides.

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Long before her marriage to Pat Wingfield, heir to the great Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow, she often spent her childhood holidays with her grandparents at Bellair.

The Netherlands-based Baars family bought the estate in 1980.

“The late Mr Cornelis Baars had a dream of being a farmer as a young boy and, during a successful business career, selected Ireland to establish his farming enterprise, creating a thriving dairy farm, along with a cheesemaking plant.”

Dairy enterprise

Butler said the agricultural element of the estate is a “key feature”. It comprises a dairy farm that carries a “highly productive” herd of 300 dairy cows.

The farm includes a modern dairy complex with a 32-unit rotary parlour and a single shed providing winter accommodation for the entire milking herd, including 350 cow cubicles.

The selling agent said the herd is in the top 5% of the national herd average for the Economic Breeding Index (EBI), with a score of 191.

“A particular advantage of the estate is the extent and quality of the farmland which lies in a contiguous block.”

“The notable feature of the farmland is the excellent infrastructure. This includes good access via the public roads and a network of internal tracks, fencing and water supply.”

The selling agent classified the land as the following:

  • Silage ground: 150-acres;
  • Pasture: 160-acres;
  • Woods: 25-acres;
  • Roads, yards, buildings ect: 10-acres.

Location

Also, there is “an abundance” of amenities at Bellair, which is surrounded by a “diverse” rural landscape.

Dublin’s International Airport is 121 kilometres to the east with access via the M6 (10 km) and M50.

Furthermore, Tullamore and Athlone are two large, “vibrant” neighbouring towns with various recreational and professional services.

Properties for sale in Ireland

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