Photograph 1 of 32 of Rathnamuddagh, Dysart, Castletown, Westmeath
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Rathnamuddagh, Dysart, Castletown, WestmeathN91D5D0

Price on application

2 Bed~1 Bath~65 m²~BER F

What you'll like:

  • Generous Land Holding: The property comes with approximately 6.15 acres of land, providing an ideal scale for a small hobby farm or keeping animals.
  • South-Facing Aspect: The lands benefit from a desirable south-facing orientation, which is advantageous for agricultural use, gardening, and solar gain.
  • Dual Road Frontage: The holding features dual road frontage with access points from both primary and secondary routes, enhancing future flexibility.
  • Charming Character Features: The interior includes unique architectural elements such as a cut-stone feature fireplace and a Belfast-style kitchen sink.
  • Traditional Stone Buildings: A range of attractive traditional cut-stone outbuildings enhances the rural aesthetic and offers versatile storage or workspace options.
  • Agricultural Infrastructure: The inclusion of a concrete apron and a two-bay hay shed provides immediate utility for farming or equipment storage.
  • Elevated Setting: The elevated position of the residence and lands creates an appealing countryside outlook and a dry, prominent building footprint.
  • Mature Private Boundaries: The property is well-bounded by mature hedging, ensuring good privacy and a settled, established rural environment.
  • Renovation Potential: The compact 65 square metre footprint presents a manageable canvas for a comprehensive modernization and upgrade project.
  • Extension Opportunities: The generous plot and layout offer clear potential for extending the dwelling to create a larger family home.
  • Grant Funding Possibility: The dwelling may qualify for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, potentially offering financial assistance for extensive upgrading works.
  • No Waste Land: The agricultural acreage is reported to be entirely laid out in grass with no unusable wasteland, maximizing utility.
  • Manageable Scale: The two-bedroom accommodation size is ideal for downsizers or first-time buyers seeking a manageable rural lifestyle project.
  • Convenient Auction Format: Bidding is facilitated both in person and online via LSL Auctions, offering flexible participation options for interested buyers.
  • Established Legal Framework: Clear legal representation by Kelly Caulfield Shaw Solicitors ensures standard conveyancing protocols are in place for the auction.
  • Clear Registration Deadlines: Structured online registration procedures give buyers a defined timeline to complete necessary security deposits before the sale.
  • Flexible Lot Options: The property forms part of a larger holding offered in one or more lots, indicating potential adaptability in purchase structures.
  • Proximity to Towns: The location near Mullingar provides reasonable access to regional commercial, retail, and transportation amenities.
  • Strong Character Retention: Preserving the existing stone elements during a refit can merge historic rural charm with modern energy-efficient comforts.
  • Hobby Farming Suitability: The combination of grass acreage and storage sheds makes this an instant turnkey setup for small-scale agricultural hobbies.

But keep in mind:

  • Poor Energy Rating: The property carries a weak BER rating of F, indicating severe energy inefficiency and high immediate heating costs.
  • Extensive Retrofitting Needed: Achieving modern comfort standards will require substantial capital investment in insulation, windows, heating, and ventilation systems.
  • Restricted Initial Space: With a floor area of only 65 square metres, the current accommodation is very compact for modern living standards.
  • Planning Permission Uncertainties: Any major renovation, extension, or new site development remains strictly subject to obtaining local authority planning permission.
  • Binding Auction Deposit: Successful bidders face non-refundable deposit terms immediately upon the fall of the hammer under strict auction rules.
  • Shortfall Penalty Terms: Contract conditions dictate that any deposit shortfalls must be made good within one business day post-auction.
  • Restricted Online Bidding Access: Online participation requires advance registration and a cleared financial deposit well ahead of the sale date.
  • Single Bathroom Constraint: The house features only one combined bathroom and WC, which may prove inadequate for families without significant reconfiguration.
  • Compact Kitchen Area: The kitchen measures a restrictive 3.55m by 1.68m, severely limiting workspace and modern appliance integration.
  • Dated Structural Elements: Older traditional outbuildings and stone structures will likely require thorough roof and masonry maintenance or restoration.
  • Private Septic Verification: Buyers must investigate the condition and regulatory compliance of existing private wastewater treatment and water supply facilities.
  • Heating System Unknowns: The listing does not specify a central heating system, suggesting the possibility of obsolete or non-functional infrastructure.
  • Boundary Demarcation Check: The exact legal boundaries and fencing integrity across the 6.15 acres should be closely verified against Land Commission maps.
  • Agricultural Access Rights: Dual road frontage must be checked for local authority sightline requirements and safe vehicular access approvals.
  • Grant Eligibility Risks: Qualification for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is not guaranteed and depends strictly on official post-purchase assessment.
  • Potential Structural Dampness: Older vacant rural cottages frequently suffer from rising damp and inadequate sub-floor ventilation requiring remediation.
  • Limited Local Infrastructure: Rural positioning likely means reliance on local well water and older utility connections rather than municipal mains.
  • Asbestos Material Risk: Older outbuildings and cottage interiors may contain legacy hazardous materials such as asbestos sheeting requiring safe removal.
  • Future Development Limits: Planning restrictions in rural Westmeath areas can make securing permission for additional housing sites highly challenging.
  • No Prior Inspection Guarantees: Purchasing at public auction means buyers must rely entirely on their own pre-bid structural and legal due diligence.

Price positioning

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This comparison depends on limited public and listing evidence, which may be incomplete, outdated or not directly comparable. The score is not a percentage, professional valuation or guaranteed estimate. Ask an independent qualified valuer before relying on a property value.
The asking price appears broadly in line, with a slight undervaluation signal.
  • The asking price remains unstated as the property is slated for public auction, which typically indicates an open market discovery process designed to gauge true buyer demand rather than establishing a fixed vendor valuation upfront.
  • Valuation signals are mixed because the modest two-bedroom footprint and low F energy rating require significant capital investment, yet the inclusion of extensive south-facing land and traditional cut-stone outbuildings adds substantial agricultural and development value.
  • Potential support for a higher final auction price stems from eligibility for vacant property refurbishment grants and dual road frontage offering site opportunities, whereas heavy renovation costs and rural location could undermine aggressive bidding.
  • Relevant factors influencing the final outcome include the auction format itself, the specific lot configurations offered on the day, and intense competition from hobby farmers or buyers seeking rural lifestyle transformations.

Build Analysis

What we know from similar construction types

  • The property is a small, traditional two-bedroom countryside residence extending to approximately 65 square meters with distinct character features such as a cut-stone feature fireplace.
  • The structure includes a range of traditional cut-stone outbuildings, a concrete apron, and a two-bay hay shed, offering potential for agricultural use or storage.
  • Buyers should investigate the structural integrity of both the main dwelling and the traditional outbuildings, as older rural properties often require substantial remediation.
  • Any plans to renovate or extend the property will require careful assessment regarding local planning permissions and compliance with building regulations.
  • Buyers should verify the status of utility services, including private water supply, wastewater treatment systems (such as a septic tank), and electrical wiring, which may need upgrading.

Retrofit Cost*

Possible renovating / insulating expenditure

  • The property holds an F BER rating, indicating a very poor energy efficiency standard that will require a comprehensive deep retrofit.
  • A full deep retrofit for a 65 square meter property—including external or internal wall insulation, roof insulation, window and door replacements, and the installation of a modern heating system—is estimated to cost between 40,000 and 60,000 euros.
  • Buyers should investigate potential eligibility for government grants, such as the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and SEAI home energy upgrades, to help offset these substantial refurbishment costs.

Heating cost*

Estimated expense to heat this property every year

  • Estimated annual heating cost: €1,800 to €2,500.
  • Explanation: Given the floor area of approximately 65 square metres and a low BER rating of F, the property has poor energy efficiency and higher thermal losses, resulting in significantly elevated heating demands during colder months.

Pollution Safe

9/10

Environmental situation to investigate

  • The property is situated in a tranquil rural countryside setting in County Westmeath, appearing well removed from major industrial plants, heavy manufacturing, or large waste facilities.
  • Any potential minor localized agricultural or legacy land-use concerns should be independently verified by the prospective buyer during standard conveyancing checks.

Flood Safe

8/10

Water overflow reports to follow up

  • The listing highlights that the residence is set on elevated lands, which generally reduces the immediate likelihood of pluvial or fluvial inundation.
  • As with many rural properties, local drainage and winter water levels should be investigated by a qualified surveyor to confirm the long-term flood safety of the wider holding.

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 Castletown area

  • BALLYHEALY RD, CASTLETOWN, DELVIN

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €380,000.00
  • BALLYHEALY ROAD, CASTLETOWN, DEVLIN

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €320,000.00
  • TULLYHILL, CASTLETOWN, CO. WESTMEATH

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €177,500.00

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: 1% on residential property values up to €1,000,000 (or calculated precisely based on the final agreed purchase price).
  • Solicitor legal fees: approximately €1,500 to €3,000 excluding outlay and VAT.
  • Land registration fees: approximately €130 to €700 depending on the property value and registration type.
  • Property valuation fees: approximately €150 to €300.
  • Surveyor fees: approximately €500 to €1,200 depending on the depth of the structural survey required.
  • Annual home insurance: approximately €400 to €800 depending on coverage and building specifics.

Forum Talk

What people are saying about this area

  • Local community discussions often focus on rural property preservation, agricultural grants, and the process of applying for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant for older stone-built homes in County Westmeath.
  • Residents frequently share insights on rural living, maintenance of septic tanks and private wells, and local infrastructural updates via regional community groups.
  • Property hunters in the Mullingar and surrounding rural areas actively discuss auction processes, bidding deposits, and legal requirements for online property auctions.
  • Discussions in local forums often highlight the charm and renovation potential of traditional cottages, alongside tips for modernizing heritage properties while retaining original features.

LifeFit Assessment

How well this property may suit your lifestyle

Family

7 areas
  • Young Children

    The rural setting and quiet surroundings offer a safe environment, but the two-bedroom, 65 square metre layout provides limited space for a growing young family without future extensions.

    4/10
  • Teenagers

    The remote countryside location lacks local amenities, entertainment options, and public transport access that teenagers typically require, making independent socialising difficult.

    3/10
  • Multi-generational Living

    With only 65 square metres of floor area and two bedrooms, the existing dwelling is far too small for multi-generational living unless substantial extensions are built subject to planning permission.

    2/10
  • Single Buyers

    An affordable entry point for a countryside property with land, though the extensive need for renovation and isolated location may not suit every single buyer.

    5/10
  • Couples

    Offers a wonderful, quaint project for a couple looking for a rural lifestyle, a hobby farm, and a home they can renovate and extend to their own taste.

    7/10
  • Empty Nesters

    A manageable single-storey footprint with surrounding land, though the property's remote rural nature and need for refurbishment should be considered for long-term comfort.

    6/10
  • Retirees

    The quiet rural setting appeals to retirees, but the physical demands of maintaining land and outbuildings, coupled with potential isolation and a poor BER rating, require careful thought.

    5/10

Work

3 areas
  • Remote Working

    Provides a quiet environment conducive to home working, but buyers should verify local broadband speeds and connectivity before relying on it for remote employment.

    5/10
  • Hybrid Commuting

    The rural location means commuting to major employment hubs like Dublin or Athlone involves significant travel times.

    4/10
  • Retired

    Ideal for retirees seeking a peaceful countryside project, provided they are comfortable managing a rural property and land upkeep.

    7/10

Practical

8 areas
  • Ageing in Place

    The single-storey layout is convenient for mobility in later life, but extensive renovations would be required to modernise accessibility features.

    6/10
  • Low Maintenance

    The property requires significant renovation, and managing c.6.15 acres of land along with traditional outbuildings demands ongoing maintenance.

    3/10
  • Secure Gated Entry

    The property benefits from dual road frontage and mature hedging, though formal secure gated entry would need to be installed by the purchaser.

    4/10
  • Minimalist Design

    The current dwelling features traditional character elements like a cut-stone fireplace and Belfast sink rather than a stark minimalist aesthetic.

    3/10
  • Flexible Floor Plans

    The compact 65 square metre floor plan is relatively rigid in its current form, though excellent potential exists to extend and reconfigure subject to planning permission.

    5/10
  • Heritage Home

    Features traditional cut-stone buildings, outhouses, and historic charm that will appeal strongly to lovers of heritage properties.

    8/10
  • Ecological Setup

    The land holding and rural environment offer great potential for sustainable living, though the current BER rating of F indicates substantial energy efficiency upgrades are needed.

    6/10
  • Outdoor areas

    Comprises c.6.15 acres of elevated, south-facing grass lands, a concrete apron, a two-bay hay shed, and traditional stone outbuildings.

    9/10

Interests

9 areas
  • Gardening

    Extensive outdoor space including c.6.15 acres of land and mature hedging provides exceptional scope for gardening and landscaping projects.

    9/10
  • Walking

    The surrounding country roads offer peaceful walking routes, though walkers should exercise caution due to rural traffic conditions.

    7/10
  • Gym

    There are no commercial gym facilities nearby, requiring a significant drive into larger nearby towns for fitness infrastructure.

    2/10
  • Cycling

    Quiet local country roads provide scenic cycling routes, though the lack of dedicated cycle lanes and rural speeds require vigilance.

    6/10
  • Golf

    Golf enthusiasts will need to travel some distance to reach the nearest courses in the wider Westmeath region.

    4/10
  • Fishing

    The rural Westmeath location places buyers within reasonable driving distance of various inland lakes and rivers known for angling.

    6/10
  • Horse Riding

    With c.6.15 acres of land, traditional outbuildings, and rural surroundings, the property is well-suited for keeping horses and equestrian pursuits.

    8/10
  • Water Sports

    Limited immediate access to water sports facilities, though major midland lakes offering aquatic activities are accessible by car.

    3/10
  • Entertaining

    While the outdoor space and south-facing lands offer great potential for summer gatherings, the interior living space of 65 square metres is compact for indoor hosting.

    5/10

Lifestyle

5 areas
  • Quiet Living

    Set on elevated lands in a tranquil rural countryside area, offering absolute peace, privacy, and minimal background noise.

    10/10
  • Rural Living

    Comprises c.6.15 acres of south-facing agricultural land, traditional cut-stone outbuildings, a hay shed, and dual road frontage, perfectly suited to a rural or hobby farm lifestyle.

    10/10
  • Village Living

    Located in a dispersed countryside townland rather than a tight-knit village community with local shops and services within walking distance.

    4/10
  • Coastal Living

    The property is located inland in County Westmeath, far away from any coastal areas.

    1/10
  • Urban Living

    Deeply rural and far removed from urban centres, offering none of the conveniences of city living.

    1/10

Social

6 areas
  • Community Involvement

    Rural townlands often feature tight local bonds, but active participation requires travelling to nearby community hubs and local events.

    5/10
  • Café Culture

    There are no local cafés within walking distance, as the setting is strictly agricultural and residential.

    2/10
  • Nightlife

    Zero nightlife options exist immediately nearby, requiring travel into Mullingar or surrounding towns for pubs, restaurants, and entertainment.

    1/10
  • Health/Wellness groups

    Structured wellness classes or pilates & stretching groups will not be found locally and require commuting.

    3/10
  • Networking Opportunities

    The isolated rural setting offers virtually no face-to-face professional networking opportunities.

    1/10
  • Tech-Hub Connectivity

    Remote from major urban tech hubs, making physical access to innovation centres impractical.

    2/10

Listing information

Agent
James L. Murtagh & Associates
Phone
044 934 0088
Published on HouseDelve
2 October 2026
Correction
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Property reference: HD-9958ABHouseDelve · Republic of Ireland

Report checks

Sources used: Public marketplace, Property Price Register, and grounded web research where available.

Automated quality checks: Passed

Estimate — not advice. Actual costs and outcomes can vary materially. Obtain current quotations and professional advice before making financial or property decisions.