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Why a billionaire is buying up land in one Irish county - and why farmers are unhappy

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New EU rules mean farmers need larger holdings to survive

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One of Ireland's richest men, businessman and Coolmore stud owner John Magnier. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill / The Irish Times
One of Ireland's richest men, businessman and Coolmore stud owner John Magnier. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill / The Irish Times
Bernice Harrison
Mon Dec 11 2023 - 06:00

Irish billionaire John Magnier has been steadily accumulating huge tracts of land in south Tipperary, adding to the holdings of Coolmore Stud, his hugely successful horse breeding company.

But local farmers say Coolmore’s activities are pricing them out of land they desperately need to stay afloat in a difficult business environment.

[ Big Read: How John Magnier’s Coolmore bloodstock operation is buying up Co Tipperary ]

The situation highlights a profound and ongoing change in how Ireland’s agricultural land is used.

Ronan McGreevy reports.

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Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon.

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison is an Irish Times journalist and cohost of In the News podcast

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