The Government has bought a large country estate in Co Kildare for £5.65 million, to be used as farmland for the Department of Agriculture.
The Office of Public Works bought Longtown Demesne in Sallins, Co Kildare, on Friday at auction.
The estate comprises 350 acres and includes a two-storey farmhouse and a number of gate lodges.
The pasture, arable and wooded land, will be used by the Department of Agriculture as an experimental and research facility, continuing the activities that were carried out at Abbotstown.
The State laboratory, which was also at Abbotstown, is moving to Backweston, Co Kildare. The Government intends to use the 500-acre Abbots town site to build a national stadium, incorporating an aquatic centre and other sports facilities, at a cost of over £300 million.