Farmland purchase advice

danoriordan1402 · 19-04-2026 10:01PM #1

Hi all,
Myself and herself are considering buying a small rural holding - been a long term goal for a while , now becoming more realistic as we are both hitting our 50's so no spring chickens and can financially do it :) This would be a hobby farm / lifestyle holding, not dairy or beef as I work full time. I’d be starting off slowly and learning as I go rather than relying on it for income generation.
A few questions I’d really appreciate guidance on:

Its around 30 acres, mostly used for sheep in the past, grazing land, scrub mixed land, some stone boudary walls and good roadside fencing,bit of wet land as well as a decent river runs adjacent, no leases in place. I’ve bought property before and am familiar with engineers however for houses etc in a farm or mixed land scenario, is it better to use Engineers with specific agricultural/farm experience or is that even a thing? There is a cottage, moveable into but needs work. Old derelict farmhouse and about 3 sheds near the house in ok condition.

Should we purchase who would be the best person to speak to then, or should we speak to them in advance of buying about options.

Teagasc? ( heard mixed reviews from here )
Farm advisors / planners?
Private consultants?

On the river question, there seems to be a right of way through the land to river bank in place for the Dept of fisheries, would this be normal?

Herself would be very interested in wildlife conservation, biodiversity, and planting trees rather than intensive farming so I can see her being keen on woodland planting, rewilding.

Trying to approach this carefully and realistically and would really value insights from people who’ve been through it.
Thanks in advance.

Siamsa Sessions · 20-04-2026 09:46AM

What do you plan on doing with this ground?

It sounds like it'll rewild itself without any intervention.

Re who to talk to: whatever auctioneer is selling it, neighbours, friends, family, online communities (like here), solicitors, accountants, Teagasc and/or independent agri planners, the list is endless for gathering information.

danoriordan1402 · 20-04-2026 10:45AM

Thanks - few hens, ducks and a few sheep I would say. We have a few dogs, all are livestock friendly. one field away from the main house/yard would be the highest point and a gentle slope down then to the river, there is a cracking view from there over a valley, and as herself is an artist she would love down the road to have a studio there but we will hit restrictions no doubt on that 🙄

I have opened up a few lines of discussion with those folks in the meantime

Siamsa Sessions · 20-04-2026 11:31AM

I'll save you some heartbreak and potentially bloody scenes - no dogs are livestock friendly. Do not expect them to behave responsibly around sheep especially.

You will also need a flock/herd number from the Dept of Agriculture to buy sheep (or cattle). I think it's something like an ER1 form and is probably available to download online someplace.

White Clover · 20-04-2026 01:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124409184#Comment_124409184

The same thing jumped out at me.

OP, No loose dog is livestock friendly. If you learn nothing else today, you'll have learned a very important piece of information.

K.G. · 20-04-2026 01:33PM

Why do people buy land to "rewild"it.its going on wholesale around here

Wildsurfer · 20-04-2026 01:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124409479#Comment_124409479

They think food comes from a supermarket

coolbeans · 20-04-2026 02:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124409506#Comment_124409506

When in fact 80% of the food consumed in Ireland comes from the UK and the continent.

danoriordan1402 · 20-04-2026 02:12PM

All fair points on the dogs, good reminder - and agreed, grandparents did farm so am aware what they are capable of.

The Continental Op · 20-04-2026 02:18PM

Check the local planning permissions. Particular the the local authority map and all nearby PP's. You may find the house or cottage was let go in return for permission to build a new house.

Reggie. · 20-04-2026 02:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124409572#Comment_124409572

Like what exactly?

90% of milk consumed is from irish farms along with beef which is a similar percentage.

80% of fruit and vegetables only are imported but that's because the supermarkets have destroyed those farming industries with thier greed

danoriordan1402 · 20-04-2026 02:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124409594#Comment_124409594

Yes, had a good look there - nothing of note in the land ( or near it) for a while - i'll get the lowdown from the neighbours no doubt. Curious about fishing rights, would assume you get them by default if your land banks the river, its catch and release for Salmon, Sea trout…

Siamsa Sessions · 20-04-2026 02:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124409572#Comment_124409572

Have you a reliable source for that stat?

coolbeans · 20-04-2026 03:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124409645#Comment_124409645

https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/ireland-agricultural-sector

Morris Moss · 20-04-2026 03:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124409572#Comment_124409572

Hard to compete with slave labour in southern Spain, where the majority of fruit and veg comes from, but that doesn't suit the narrative of "80% of food is imported"

It would be more prudent to ask why one of Ireland's largest carrot growers went to the wall, but you won't because you don't want to know the truth of why we can't compete.

coolbeans · 20-04-2026 03:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124409710#Comment_124409710

I've only provided facts, not emotional talking points. I'm in farming myself so don't assume my motivations please.

Pat734 · 20-04-2026 03:51PM

Are you buying the land privately or at auction? Will you be welcome in the area if your money stops a local farmer, his son/daughter from buying it? Yes you're as entitled as anyone else to buy land, property, etc, but might find that in parts of rural Ireland things don't always work that way. Land is a quare thing in Ireland, believe me. Think long and hard about it, get yourself about the place and put out a few feelers before parting with your hard earned dosh. There's nowt as queer as folk when it comes to a "piecheen of talamh". Then go and have a look at the film; The Field with actor Richard Harris, 'twill give you an appetite for the ould sod and show how easy it is if you've a few bob in your back pocket to but the place. Good luck by the way😉

Siamsa Sessions · 20-04-2026 04:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124409697#Comment_124409697

All I could see in reference to 80% on that page is the following quote: "…it imports around 80 percent of its animal feed, food, and beverage needs".

That doesn't support your statement: "…80% of the food consumed in Ireland comes from the UK and the continent."

danoriordan1402 · 20-04-2026 04:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124409814#Comment_124409814

Well familiar with it :) From what I take the land has been pretty much unworked and idle for years, only a few sheep grazing, must have been opportunities for any locals to buy it/lease it in the past. Early days still for us but i'll add it to the short list of cons. ;)

Austinbrick · 20-04-2026 08:57PM

Sounds Great.Buy it and enjoy it. 30 acres is huge to be tipping around in. You could rent some of it to local farmer if it suited.

21-04-2026 04:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124409631#Comment_124409631

fishing rights can be owned seperately to the land, and a state licence would be needed for Salmon and Sea Trout.

kk.man · 21-04-2026 09:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124409865#Comment_124409865

Have you been offered the land formally?

If the answer to this question is no don't assume the locals have dismissed buying it. There's farmers planning for years for land to come up and there could be a bull mc cabe lurking around. The person that has been rented it would consider it in his interest to 'run the place down' in order to get it cheap.

My advice would be get a good farmer you know and trust and walk the place. He will spot the advantages and disadvantages of the farm. It would also be helpful if you had insider knowledge in the local area to guage the situation. Don't trust any auctioneer.

Finally if you do buy it don't rewild it there's enough at that. Make your investment give you a return.

waterfaerie · 22-04-2026 10:13AM

Not everything in life is about money. Maybe an investment in the Earth will be more valuable in the long term than any financial investment ever could be.

OP, don't listen to anyone telling you what to do or not do with your land. Follow your own heart and dreams. If you are interested in rewilding, go and visit some places that have done it and see what you think yourself. You could also have a look at some permaculture farms where they are producing an abundance of food in a way that works with nature. Only you will know if it's something that calls to you or not.

30 acres is certainly enough to do a combination of things and the mix of land you describe (scrub land, grazing land, wet land and adjacent river) sounds like it might be ideal for something more diverse. But again, it's only you that will know.

If it were me, I would chat to the locals as much as possible and get a feel for the area. That will tell you far more than any consultants, planners, auctioneers etc. that will take your money. If you get positive vibes from the locals and you feel drawn to the land, just go for it.

Then if you buy it, I would spend lots of time just getting to know the land and being open to the inspiration you get from the land itself in terms of what you want and what wants to happen there and follow your own instinct.

The Continental Op · 22-04-2026 12:43PM

While I agree chatting to the locals will help greatly with local knowledge it will also warn anyone local who is interested in the land.

In the current market I'd be very surprised if the OP is the only one interested in it. There are plenty of other people with similar dreams and the money to fulfil them on top of anyone with a local interest.

Thesmallfarmer · 12-05-2026 04:49AM

I am going ask 1 question ,is it land or ground you are buying.

Even here in N.Kerry ,no one wants ground to buy. Seller of a 30 acre roadside holding ,heavy ground told me .This place had a km of road frontage on an N road .Maybe 5 acres you might travel in a good year.The rest was cut for silage every year ,10 acres twice .

The neighbouring farmer bought it at his own price around 7 k .The reality is everone has plenty of ground but land is a different story.