Large Balla farm to go under the hammer

Large Balla farm to go under the hammer


One of the largest farms to come on the market in Mayo in recent times is to be brought to auction in June in an executor sale. The 186 acre residential property at Craggagh, Balla includes 34 acres of forestry and was renowned in its day as a prime sheep farm.
It comes with a guide price of €750,000 or over €4,000/ac.
Located two miles from Balla, on the Kiltimagh road, the farm is six miles from Claremorris, nine miles from Castlebar and 16 miles from Knock Airport.
The property has 740m of road frontage on to the Kiltimagh road, along with further frontage on to a secondary road that divides the property.
Brian Moran of selling agents Moran Auctioneers has said this is one of the largest holdings offered in the county in his lifetime. The farm is accessed by an unusual wrought iron gateway and a long avenue leading to the house at the heart of the farm. The house itself is a large traditional two-storey farmhouse with accommodation that includes four bedrooms, a bathroom, a living room, dining room, kitchen and kitchenette.
The residence has many of its original features and in a nod to the modern world has oil-fired central heating. However, it is in need of total refurbishment. The farmyard is the old-style courtyard with a series of stone-built sheds and byres and no modern buildings. The land is of mixed quality and includes level pastureland, upland and planting ground.
The farm will be offered in the entire or in two lots. Lot one comprises 57 acres of excellent level grazing ground, with extensive road frontage. The residence will be sold with the second lot, which also includes a 95 acre block of grazing and 34 acre of forestry.
The grazing ground in turn comprises 35 acres of land located on the side of a steep hill, while 60 acres is made up of more level grazing ground. The forestry is a plantation of Sitka Spruce and was planted around 15 years ago. While there are no premiums left on the timber it is near maturity at this point.
 Lively interest is expected by Brian Moran when he and joint agents Dermody Auctioneers bring the property to auction at the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris at 3pm on Friday, June 27.