Laois farm on over 60 acres with castle on its grounds to go under the hammer

USE THE ARROWS OR 'NEXT' TO BROWSE THROUGH THE FULL GALLERY

A 63 acre residential farm in Laois with renowned equestrian facilities is set to go under the hammer with a guide price of €1.2m. The property at Ballagh, Erill will be sold in one or more lots at the public auction taking place on Wednesday, September 25 in the Manor Hotel Abbeyleix unless previously sold. Mansfield Property Partners said its grounds include the impressive Castle Ballagh – a five-story tower constructed in the late 15th century complete with resident peregrine falcons. CONTINUE READING BELOW PHOTO

It was formerly the training yard of Cathy Harrison who was a renowned jockey, owner, trainer and breeder, accompanied by her daughter Katy, also an amateur jockey. 

Cathy owned and trained many National Hunt winners in an era where female jockeys were not the norm. She was awarded joint leading owner/rider in a 1980s point to point season along with Mr Ted Walsh. 

Among her winners, in 1996 Cathy won the four year old flat race (bumper) in Listowel beating top amateurs Ruby Walsh and Philip Fenton in a photo finish.

In 2008 Cathy trained Ballagh-bred Move to win a flat race (bumper) in Cork ridden by her daughter Katy. Move was also Cathy’s first winner on the flat when she won the Sword Security amateur flat race in Galway in the same year. 

Cathy won this race again in 2013 with Mireya who was co-owned with her son, John and ridden by her daughter Katy. The property comprises a large family home, mature gardens, stables, tack room, outbuildings, barns, yards, fenced paddocks and roadways set on c63 acres of prime agricultural lands including 3 acres of forestry lands.

The property will be offered in lots as follows:

Lot 1: Residence, gardens, stables, tack room, outbuildings, enclosed yards, barns, lunging ring/gallop (in need of renovation), stocks and crush on c.18 acres. This modern family home extends to over 200 sq. metres of light filled and well-proportioned living space over two floors. The residence has been handsomely maintained throughout the years with accommodation comprising 3 bedrooms, 2 office/storage rooms, 2 bathrooms, open plan kitchen-dining-living space, utility, sitting room, halls and a functional attic space.

The mature gardens include hundreds of bulbs, mature rose bushes, a breadth of fruit and nut trees, garden beds surrounded by attractive stone feature walls, in addition to a large polytunnel.

18 purpose-built stables, tack room and stocks surround an enclosed yard, the latter also offering an ideal space for pets such as dogs and chickens. There are also 2 large barns, outbuildings including a generously sized workshop with an additional enclosed yard with a crush.

The previously used round yard and gallop will require restoration.

Lot 2: c23 acres of prime agricultural land with extensive roadside frontage

Lot 3: c22 acres of prime elevated agricultural land with site potential including 3 acres of forestry

Lot 4: The entire

The auction will take place at 3pm on Wednesday, September 25.