
Cloonlaheen Middle, Mullagh, County Clare
€200,000
2 Bed
What you'll like:
- Extensive Landholding Size: Spanning approximately 51.27 acres, this substantial plot provides exceptional scale for agricultural activities, hobby farming, or private estate expansion in County Clare.
- Established Forestry Premium: The property includes about 20 acres of forestry planted in 2007 with one year remaining on a lucrative €6,000 annual premium.
- Government Renovation Grants: Potential eligibility for lucrative SEAI and Vacant Property Refurbishment Grants significantly offsets the heavy upfront capital costs required for restoration.
- Historical Stone Character: Dating back to 1890, the authentic stone-built cottage structure offers unique architectural charm and traditional character features for preservation enthusiasts.
- Elevated Scenic Position: Situated on an elevated plot, the building footprint benefits from commanding countryside views and a naturally well-drained structural setting.
- Versatile Agricultural Mix: The land composition features a practical combination of spring and summer grazing pastures alongside established forestry, offering multiple land-use options.
- Existing Outbuilding Infrastructure: Includes multiple stone and corrugated outbuildings, providing ready-made storage spaces, animal housing, or sheltered utility zones during construction.
- Attached Cattle Crush: Outbuilding two features an attached cattle crush, offering immediate functional utility for livestock management and agricultural operations.
- Attractive Entry Pricing: Listed at an accessible €200,000 asking price, the property represents an affordable entry point for a large land acquisition project.
- Rural Privacy Potential: Positioned in a tranquil countryside locale between Miltown Malbay and Connolly, ensuring a peaceful lifestyle away from dense urban congestion.
- Proximity to Local Villages: Conveniently located just 9.3 kilometers from Connolly village and 11 kilometers from Miltown Malbay for daily conveniences.
- Coastal Access Convenience: Situated only 11 kilometers from Spanish Point, providing quick access to coastal amenities, beaches, and recreational water activities.
- County Town Connectivity: Ennis is accessible within a 25-kilometer drive via the R474, connecting residents to major retail parks, hospitals, and transport links.
- Defined Legal Boundaries: The entire holding is registered under a clear land folio (Folio CE9289), streamlining the initial title deed verification process.
- Expansion Footprint: The roughly 700 square foot cottage footprint, combined with surrounding outbuildings, allows ample physical scope for modern architectural extensions subject to planning.
- Private Water Potential: Features a private water scheme and well connection on-site, offering independence from public water supply infrastructure fees.
- Existing Electricity Connection: The structure already features an electric supply line to the house, reducing connection hurdles for initial contractor power usage.
- Traditional Slate Roof: The main cottage is built with a slate roof structure, preserving historical integrity though requiring rigorous structural integrity checks.
- Cow House Infrastructure: Outbuilding one incorporates a former cow house and storage cabins, easily repurposed for modern workshops or equipment garages.
- Lean-to Shed Addition: The included lean-to shed provides extra covered utility space right next to the main structures for immediate material storage.
But keep in mind:
- Total Renovation Required: The dwelling is strictly derelict and requires a complete gut-renovation covering plumbing, electrics, internal insulation, and windows.
- Unverified Structural Integrity: The load-bearing capacity of the 1890s stone walls must be professionally inspected to ensure they can safely support modern roof loads and interventions.
- Exempt Energy Rating: Lacking a formal BER certificate, buyers must commission an energy assessment to gauge the true scale of thermal upgrades needed.
- Unconfirmed Services Working Order: All water, electrical, and drainage utilities are untested, meaning buyers should budget for comprehensive professional system replacements.
- Forestry Contract Expiration: With only one year remaining on the €6,000 forestry premium, this passive income stream will soon terminate permanently.
- Strict Grant Conditions: Accessing Vacant Property and SEAI grants requires rigorous adherence to timelines, primary residency clauses, and upfront cash flow capabilities.
- Restricted Living Space: At approximately 700 square feet, the initial cottage floor area is exceptionally small and demands significant expansion to function as a family home.
- Agricultural Access Demands: Managing over 51 acres requires ongoing land maintenance, boundary fence repairs, and potential management of livestock leasing arrangements.
- Heavy Outbuilding Repairs: Outbuildings featuring corrugated iron roofs and concrete barges will likely require substantial structural remediation or modern sheeting replacements.
- Private Water Quality Risks: Private wells and local schemes can harbor contaminants, necessitating independent laboratory water testing prior to unconditional purchase commitments.
- Remote Utility Connection Costs: Bringing derelict services up to modern safety codes and standard telecom speeds in a rural area can incur massive unexpected expenses.
- Planning Permission Complexities: Securing retention or new planning permission for extensions on a rural Irish site with a private septic layout can involve lengthy delays.
- Septic Tank Installation Needed: The listing omits details of an existing wastewater treatment system, implying a brand-new certified percolation and septic system must be installed.
- Adverse Weather Vulnerability: The elevated plot exposure means the structure is subjected to strong Atlantic winds and heavy rainfall typical of County Clare.
- Boundary Demarcation Checks: Buyers must verify exact folio maps against physical field boundaries to ensure no historical disputes or land encroachment issues exist.
- Access Roadway Quality: Narrow rural approach roads leading to Cloonlaheen Middle may struggle to accommodate heavy construction traffic, concrete trucks, and machinery delivery.
- Local Material Sourcing: Sourcing conservation-approved stone and traditional building materials to match an 1890s cottage can significantly inflate construction budgets.
- Contractor Availability Shortages: Securing reliable builders and specialized tradespeople willing to undertake remote rural renovation projects in County Clare can prove exceptionally difficult.
- Vermin and Damp Remediation: Long-term vacancy typically results in severe damp penetration, dry rot, and potential rodent infestation requiring aggressive chemical and physical treatments.
- Comprehensive Legal Due Diligence: Title deeds, rights of way across the extensive lands, and forestry planting burdens must be exhaustively checked by a qualified solicitor.
Price positioning
?
- The asking price of two hundred thousand euros is positioned slightly below the broader initial market quoting figure of two hundred twenty five thousand euros for this expansive rural holding.
- Comprehensive comparable market evidence indicates that large rural land parcels combined with traditional dwellings command significant asset value due to the extensive acreage included.
- Prospective purchasers must independently investigate the substantial capital expenditure required to fully renovate the derelict cottage and upgrade services to modern habitation standards.
- Potential eligibility for government refurbishment and energy grants should be carefully verified by the buyer to offset anticipated heavy structural investment costs.
Build Analysis
What we know from similar construction types
- The property is a traditional stone-built cottage dating back to circa 1890 with a slate roof, spanning approximately 700 sq ft, and is currently in a derelict condition requiring complete renovation.
- Buyers should investigate the structural integrity of the external stone walls, internal damp proofing, and the condition of the roof timbers and slates.
- Essential services such as plumbing, electrical wiring, insulation, and windows need full replacement or installation.
- The water supply relies on a private scheme and well, which should be tested for water quality, capacity, and compliance.
- The property features multiple traditional outbuildings, including a cow house and animal shelters with corrugated iron roofs, whose structural conditions require careful assessment.
- The landholding extends to approximately 51.27 acres, comprising a mix of grazing land and roughly 20 acres of forestry planted in 2007; buyers should verify forestry contract terms, remaining premiums, and rights of way or boundary delineations.
Retrofit Cost*
Possible renovating / insulating expenditure
- Given that the property is a vacant, derelict pre-1937 stone cottage of roughly 700 sq ft requiring a complete structural and thermal overhaul from a BER-exempt status, a comprehensive deep retrofit and total renovation is estimated to range between €80,000 and €140,000+ depending on the extent of professional labor, structural repairs, and modern mechanical installations.
- This estimate accounts for installing modern heating systems, complete rewiring, replumbing, internal or external insulation to meet modern building standards, window and door replacements, and roof repairs.
- The total cost may be partially offset by potential qualification for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and SEAI energy upgrade grants, subject to independent eligibility verification.
Heating cost*
Estimated expense to heat this property every year
- €0 estimated current annual heating cost, with a short explanation noting that the property is described as a derelict cottage lacking a functional heating system, plumbing, and electricity, meaning no active heating costs exist until a full renovation is completed.
Pollution Safe
9/10Environmental situation to investigate
- The property is situated in a rural agricultural setting in County Clare, well away from major industrial centers, heavy manufacturing, or large waste incinerators.
- Any historical or localized environmental factors, such as agricultural runoff or private well water quality, should be independently tested and verified by the buyer.
Flood Safe
8/10Water overflow reports to follow up
- The listing description notes that the cottage sits on an elevated plot, which naturally reduces vulnerability to localized surface water accumulation.
- Buyers should consult local OPW flood maps to verify if any lower-lying portions of the expansive 51-acre agricultural and forestry lands carry specific flood risks.
Recent Local Sales
Verified residential transactions published in the previous five years
Sales on the same street or estate
No verified results were found for this group in the previous five years.
Recent sales in the wider Mullagh area
42 COORE EAST, MULLAGH, CLARE
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €327,000.00
PAROCHIAL HOUSE, SHANDRUM, MULLAGH
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €472,500.00
MOUNT SCOTT, MULLAGH, CLARE
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €285,000.00
CLONADRUM, MULLAGH, CLARE
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €327,000.00
CARRIG RUA, DRUMMIN, MULLAGH
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €350,000.00
Source: Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA), Residential Property Price Register (PPR).
Matching uses address information published by the PPR rather than measured map distance. It may omit nearby properties on differently named streets.
Last Sale
A confidently matched previous PPR transaction for this property
No confidently matched previous sale was found in the Property Price Register.
Buyer fees*
Associated expenses guide
- Stamp duty: Approximately €15,000, calculated at the non-residential rate of 7.5% applicable to land and derelict/non-residential properties.
- Solicitor legal fees: Generally range between €1,500 and €3,000 plus VAT (at 23%) and outlays for conveyancing.
- Land registration fees: Around €600 to €700 payable to the Property Registration Authority for a property valued in this bracket.
- Property valuation fees: Roughly €150 to €300 for a standard mortgage valuation report.
- Surveyor fees: Approximately €600 to €1,000 for a detailed structural or pre-purchase building survey, which is especially vital given the property's derelict condition.
- Annual home insurance: Varies significantly for vacant or derelict properties, often requiring specialist unoccupied property cover that can range from €500 to over €1,500 annually depending on the specific risk profile and insurer terms.
Forum Talk
What people are saying about this area
- Local discussions in County Clare frequently highlight the increasing interest in rural derelict homes and the Croí Cónaithe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
- Residents often discuss the logistical challenges of renovating older stone cottages, particularly upgrading off-grid or private water and electrical services.
- Community forums note that properties with substantial land acreage, such as mixed grazing and forestry plots, attract interest from buyers looking for agricultural or forestry investment.
- Locals point out that rural areas between Miltown Malbay and Ennis offer a peaceful lifestyle, though reliable car transport is considered essential for daily errands.
LifeFit Assessment
How well this property may suit your lifestyle
Family
7 areas- Young Children2/10
The property is a derelict cottage requiring comprehensive renovation, making it unsafe and completely unsuitable for young children until extensive construction work is finished.
- Teenagers2/10
With the house currently in a derelict state and lacking modern amenities, it does not provide a habitable or functional environment for teenagers.
- Multi-generational Living3/10
While the extensive 51.27-acre land parcel and outbuildings offer future potential, the main 2-bedroom structure is currently uninhabitable and requires total refurbishment.
- Single Buyers4/10
An adventurous single buyer with a strong renovation budget could see immense potential here, though the scale of the project demands significant time and capital.
- Couples4/10
Couples looking for a major rural project will find an appealing canvas with grants potentially available, but living on-site during renovations is not currently feasible.
- Empty Nesters3/10
The massive scale of land management and the severity of the dereliction make this a daunting prospect for empty nesters seeking an easy downsize.
- Retirees2/10
Managing a derelict home and over 51 acres of mixed land and forestry presents considerable physical and logistical challenges unsuited to typical retirement living.
Work
3 areas- Remote Working3/10
While working from home is physically possible given the space, buyers should investigate local broadband availability, as none is explicitly detailed for the derelict cottage.
- Hybrid Commuting2/10
Ennis is 25km away and major employment centers are distant, making regular hybrid commuting time-consuming from this rural location.
- Retired3/10
The physical demands of managing a major heritage cottage restoration and 51 acres make it challenging for a standard retirement lifestyle, though appealing for a dedicated project.
Practical
8 areas- Ageing in Place2/10
The multi-room layout of a historic 1890s cottage, combined with its remote rural setting and lack of universal design, makes ageing in place difficult without major redesign.
- Low Maintenance1/10
Featuring a derelict structure, historical stone outbuildings, and over 51 acres of mixed grazing and forestry, maintenance demands will be exceptionally high.
- Secure Gated Entry3/10
The property sits on an elevated rural plot with agricultural land, but secure gated perimeter infrastructure would need to be established by the buyer.
- Minimalist Design2/10
The asset is a traditional 1890s stone-built cottage with outbuildings, which leans heavily toward rustic heritage rather than sleek minimalism.
- Flexible Floor Plans4/10
Because the cottage requires full internal renovation (currently comprising a parlour and three rooms totaling ~700 sq ft), a buyer has total flexibility to redesign the layout.
- Heritage Home10/10
Dating back to 1890 with stone construction and slate roofing, this is a classic period derelict cottage with authentic historical character.
- Ecological Setup7/10
Includes approximately 20 acres of forestry planted in 2007 (with forestry premium remaining) and potential to avail of SEAI grants to upgrade energy efficiency.
- Outdoor areas10/10
Comprises an expansive 51.27 acres of land featuring spring/summer grazing, forestry, an elevated plot setting, and multiple traditional agricultural outbuildings.
Interests
9 areas- Gardening9/10
With an elevated plot and over 51 acres of land, there is boundless space for extensive gardening, polytunnels, and land cultivation.
- Walking8/10
The surrounding Clare countryside and the property's own extensive acreage provide ample opportunity for private walks and exploring local rural lanes.
- Gym1/10
There are no commercial gym facilities nearby, meaning fitness routines would need to rely on home setups or travel to larger towns.
- Cycling6/10
The quiet local rural roads are suitable for cycling enthusiasts, though heavy traffic on main arteries and hilly terrain should be factored in.
- Golf6/10
Proximity to the coast near Spanish Point places local golf links within a reasonable driving distance.
- Fishing5/10
The rural West Clare setting offers potential access to local inland fishing and coastal angling spots within a short drive.
- Horse Riding8/10
The extensive land holding, outbuildings, and rural environment make this property exceptionally well-suited for keeping horses and equestrian pursuits.
- Water Sports6/10
Proximity to Spanish Point and the West Clare coast offers good access to surfing, swimming, and other water sports.
- Entertaining3/10
The current derelict condition prevents any entertaining indoors, though the vast outdoor space could eventually host gatherings once restored.
Lifestyle
5 areas- Quiet Living10/10
Situated in a rural townland between Miltown Malbay and Connolly, the property offers absolute peace, privacy, and isolation from urban noise.
- Rural Living10/10
Spanning over 51 acres of grazing land and forestry in County Clare, this is the epitome of an authentic rural farming and countryside lifestyle.
- Village Living5/10
While rural, the property is located about 9.3km from Connolly village and 11km from Miltown Malbay, providing reasonable proximity to local community hubs.
- Coastal Living6/10
Spanish Point and the coastal areas of West Clare are roughly 11km away, offering relatively easy access to the Atlantic coast.
- Urban Living1/10
The location is deeply rural and remote, situated 25km from Ennis, meaning urban conveniences are far removed.
Social
6 areas- Community Involvement5/10
Integration into the local rural community relies on connecting with nearby villages like Connolly and Miltown Malbay.
- Café Culture2/10
Cafés are sparse in the immediate townland, requiring a drive to neighboring towns for social café experiences.
- Nightlife1/10
There is virtually no nightlife in the immediate rural surroundings, though traditional music and pubs can be found in nearby Miltown Malbay.
- Health/Wellness groups3/10
Wellness groups and structured classes are centered further away in larger towns like Ennis or Miltown Malbay.
- Networking Opportunities1/10
The isolated rural location offers minimal professional networking opportunities locally.
- Tech-Hub Connectivity1/10
There are no tech hubs nearby, and digital infrastructure for the derelict structure must be verified by the buyer.
Listing information
- Agent
- Agent details not available.
- Published on HouseDelve
- 4 September 2026
- Correction
- Report an issue
HD-F16373HouseDelve · Republic of Ireland* Estimate — not advice. Actual costs and outcomes can vary materially. Obtain current quotations and professional advice before making financial or property decisions.