The Jesuits have put a 220acre farm adjoining Clongowes Wood College, Co Kildare, up for sale to raise funds for a range of capital projects.
The land, near the village of Clane, is highly valuable because of its proximity to Dublin. The sale will take place next spring and is subject to the approval of the Jesuit authorities in Rome and the Holy See.
The order said the sale had no bearing on the fee-paying school which caters for about 450 pupils. The proceeds will be put towards refurbishment of the original building at Clongowes; total renovation of Manresa House, a retreat centre in Dollymount, Co Dublin and new outreach programmes for young adults.