Landholdings:A large landholding along the Conor Pass, including a lake featured in the film of The Field, will interest wealthy individuals and the State, given its potential as a park, writes Jack Fagan.
One of the most spectacular mountain ranges in Ireland with 1,400 acres along the Conor Pass on the Dingle peninsula in Co Kerry is to be offered for sale on the international market.
It is one of the largest land holdings to go for sale in recent years and includes 400 acres of mature forest. The remaining 1,000 acres are mainly located in a valley though there is also mountain grazing lands.
Joint selling agents DTZ Sherry FitzGerald in Limerick and Jim O'Shea Auctioneers will today begin marketing what they describe as "one of the most unique properties in Ireland". It is being sold for an American owner and is expected to fetch over €5 million.
With the general election in the offing, local politicians are likely to come under pressure to persuade the Government to acquire the land for the purposes of setting up a national park.
The Conor Pass is known to millions of tourists as one of the most beautiful and panoramic driving routes in the south of Ireland.
It is the second highest pass in Ireland and adjoins the village of Cloghane which has a population of about 300. Driving over the pass, there are magnificent views over Brandon Bay and the Atlantic ocean as well as over Dingle town. The lands are largely at the foot of Mount Brandon, running all the way to the Owenmore fishery which forms the western boundary.
The Conor Pass acts as a stunning southern boundary while Sliabh Mhacha Re marks the eastern boundary. The extensive holding includes three lakes: Lough Atlea; Lough Clogharee; and the famous Pedlar's Lake which was used as the backdrop in the filming of The Field. The property has a wide range of flora and fauna and, as well as the established forestry, the lands sustain a herd of Connemara ponies and a diversity of wildlife.
There are various ruins scattered about the land, possibly opening the way for a house to be built at one of the access points from the Conor Pass road. Forestry land in the area is valued at between €5,000 and €6,000 an acre and, according to the selling agents, there is scope to increase the acreage of land under forestry. About a year ago, the six-mile long Owenmore river and the adjoining 300 acres are believed to have been sold to the Roche family for over €2.5 million.
John Buckley, director of DTZ Sherry Fitz-Gerald, said a property of such outstanding natural beauty rarely comes to the market. "Without doubt, this holding is a world heritage site and will generate phenomenal national and international interest."
Jim O'Shea, a specialist in forestry and development land, said the potential for this landholding was endless. It could be acquired by the private sector for an eco-tourism-based venture, as a private nature reserve or as an estate. In addition, the State may well consider the acquisition of the land for a national park.
