Sir, – Keep Ireland Open is very heartened by the Government’s commitment to purchase this 5,000-acre estate providing that the price is considerably less than the asking price of €28 million.
We suggest that Minister of State for Regional Economic Development Michael Ring TD should sound out the estate agents to see if they would entertain an offer for the land only, except for say 100 acres around the house.
We imagine that a prospective buyer might not be interested in this, mostly mountain, land and might be more than pleased not to have the responsibility of looking after it.
Now to the value of the 4,900 acres. The Minister in his speech to the Dáil last week that the State had acquired a similar acreage of mountain land at the Featherbed last year for €800,000. Allowing for a higher value on the Luggala land, as it includes some lowland grazing perhaps it could be acquired for something around €1.5 million, which would represent excellent value to keep this unique amenity open to the public. – Yours, etc,
ROGER GARLAND,
Chairman,
Keep Ireland Open,
Dublin 14.