A FISH farm at Killary Harbour in Renvyle, Co Galway, and a shore base close by is one of the most unusual properties to come on the market this year.
Ross Shorten of Lisney is quoting over €1.1 million for the business and buildings of Celtic Atlantic Salmon which is in voluntary liquidation. Separately, the company is to sell a fish nursery in Co Leitrim.
The firm, headed by Jim Murran, has been producing over 1,500 tons of farmed salmon per annum though its licence permits the volume to be increased to 2,200 tons.
The commercial environment for salmon farms has been challenging, mainly due to competition from non-EU imports originating in Norway and Chile. There have also been difficulties with licensing due to bureaucratic delays within the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
The Irish Farmers Association aquaculture division says that prospects are still good because of a continuing rise in demand for fish.
The Killary fish farm ceased operations at the end of last year but is now virtually ready for restocking before going back into production. The sale includes a number of boats, the floating jetty, cages, nets and general plant and equipment.
The fishery also has valuable freehold buildings and a shore base at Rosroe, a highly scenic area on the south-west shores of Killary Harbour. The on-shore facilities include two modern industrial buildings along with an office and canteen which stand on a site of 0.37 of a hectare (0.92 of an acre).
Ross Shorten says that while they have already had a number of expressions of interest in the fish farm, he believed that the sale would attract interest from Scandinavian countries, as well as Scotland and other parts of the UK.
Lisney is also to sell a fish nursery on Lough Allen in Co Leitrim where Celtic Atlantic Salmon produce salmon smolts before they are transferred to the fish farm. This two-acre property is expected to sell for around €150,000.
