WATCH: Blueberry farm on Laois Offaly border on the market

A rare opportunity to purchase a long-established and productive blueberry farm in the heart of the Midlands has come up on the Laois Offaly border.

This unique farming enterprise consists of a combined total of c.40.21 acres and is located at Derryvilla & Bogtown, Portarlington, Co Offaly.

GVM Auctioneers are handling the sale of what first commercial blueberry farm in Ireland, was established in the 1960s and has been developed by the renowned horticulturist John Seager. The auctioneers say the farm is in production with about 9,000 established fruiting bushes and is located in an area of acidic peat soils, which is optimum for the crop.

"John Seager and his team were ahead of their time - blueberries are now a well-recognised superfood, yet Ireland still only produces less than 2% of its total blueberry consumption. This potential, combined with an increase in customer demand to buy locally-grown produce, is a unique and exciting opportunity for anyone with an interest in commercial horticulture.

"The farm is productive with great potential for increased yield. It supplies local customers, markets and restaurants with fresh and frozen blueberries, and Irish-made products such as Derryvilla Farm Blueberry Tonic, jam and chutney. For many years the farm supplied premium fruit to Marks & Spencer in the UK and Irish supermarkets. The crop is grown without insecticide or pesticides; the bushes and fields have been consistently maintained for decades and there are mature trees on the land providing shelter belts and protection," it said.

The farm is laid out in two divisions. The main hub is located at Derryvilla, where the packing shed is located. The plot contains approximately 4,000 maintained bushes which is set on c.15.5 acres. Located just 2km from Portarlington, and 17km 20mins from the M7, it is ideal for access to labour during picking season and transport to market. The second nearby location, at Bogtown, contains another C.24.71 acres of land with approximately 5,000 maintained bushes.

The property is for sale by Private Treaty. No entitlements are being sold with this land. No sales signage erected on land by vendors kind request until harvesting is complete for this season.