Homes built in the garden and orchard of one of Ireland's largest walled estates go on sale in Cavan this week. Joint agents Kelly Walsh Property Advisors and Don Crotty Auctioneers will be taking bookings for 20 houses on the Farnham Estate - a magnificent 1,300-acre country estate, on the outskirts of Cavan town.
Prices range from €400,000 to €700,000 for two, three and four bedroom houses ranging from 104sq m (1,120sq ft) to 233sq m (2,510sq ft).
Cavan native Roy McCabe, head of the McCabe pharmacy chain, bought the estate for over €6.35 million in October 2001 after the death of Lord Farnham, whose family, the Maxwells, had owned the estate since 1664.
The 18th century Farnham House has been transformed into a 158-bedroom hotel and spa operated by the Radisson SAS group and an 18-hole golf course is under construction.
A big selling point for potential buyers at Farnham is the 600 plus acres of parkland and rolling pasture and 500 acres of woodlands.
Agriculture, science, botany, topology and geology were prominent interests through the generations of Farnham. Their legacy includes rich flora and fauna, exotic plants, orchards, a Victorian rock garden, a crannog, paths, horse riding trails and mountain bike routes. The estate also includes the massive Farnham Lake, in addition to two other large lakes that form part of the network of loughs and islands stretching south from Upper Lough Erne.
The development of a 53-house residential scheme is being carried out by Mere Capital and Bennett Construction. Construction has started on phase one, close to the hotel, and completions are due next summer, according to the agent. The second phase will be at the stables of Farnham House.
