Huge interest from buyers as sale of Longford residential farm nets over €1.3 million

A large residential roadside farm at Lisanurlan, Longford was sold for €1.25 million when it went under the hammer last Friday.

The sale by Tom Cox of Thomas J Cox & Co Auctioneers was held in the Longford Arms Hotel.

The property was part of the estate of Michael (Mickey Joe) Devine.

He operated a very successful feed and fertiliser business and many other enterprises from the commercial establishment.

Mr Cox said: “Mickey Joe was known not only in Longford, but in all the surrounding counties. It's normal to have a minute's silence before such proceedings, but Mickey Joe wouldn't have wanted that. Instead there is a drink for everyone at the bar as a mark of respect to him.”

Michael was raised at Lisanurlan and resided there, operating his business up until his death in 2015. The property was brought to the market by Michael's brother John Devine and his family, many of whom watched the proceedings online.

Mr Cox said the house, yard and outbuildings have tremendous potential either as a farming enterprise or to be developed as a commercial operation. The farm was auctioned in three lots.

The first lot, which was sold for €1.25 million, includes the house, yard , outbuildings on around 65 acres of good upland farm land.

The residence consists of four bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, living room, dining room and sitting room.

Mr Cox described the homestead and lands that came to market as a “once in a lifetime opportunity”.

The second lot number, which comprised just under 13 acre of land accessed from a side road off the main N5, was sold for €80,000.

The third lot comprised forestry lands consisting of 53.7 acres situated at Aughareagh Bog and Lisanurlan with approximately 36 acres having been planted in 1997 and the remainder planted in 2019.

It is a mature forest consisting primarily of Spruce and Scots Pine.

It was withdrawn from sale as the highest bid was only €200,000.