Almost €16,300/acre was realised at last week’s auction of a 43-acre residential holding situated in Scurlogstown, Trim, Co Meath. Just a mile from Trim town, on the Dublin road, the property generated a nice level of interest on the build-up to the auction, according to selling agent Thomas Potterton from The Property Exchange, Trim.

Scurloghstown came to the market with a three-bedroom residence and a range of traditional farm buildings that included a cow byre, a hay shed with lean-to and some stone outbuildings.

In the same family for more than eight decades, the property was owned and farmed by Matt Daly, a man who was well known in the area – which was clearly reflected in the number of locals who turned up on the day to support him and to wish him well.

Matt was retiring from farming, but reportedly maintained the farm to a high standard over the years.

On the day, brisk bidding from two main parties saw the sale price significantly pass the €560,000 guide price when the hammer fell at exactly €700,000.

With over 50 people in the room, Potterton put up the first lot, comprising the house and yard on 40 acres. After opening at €350,000, four bidders quickly drove the sale price into €610,000.

Then the remaining three acres situated across the road were offered, but this didn’t generate any bids.

Turning to the entire, an opening bid of €630,000 was taken and this proceeded in €5,000 increments all the way up to €690,000, at which stage Potterton declared the property on the market. With just two bidders in contention, a further €10,000 saw the hammer soon fall at €700,000 in trust to a Dublin-based solicitor. The underbidder was a couple from Co Dublin.

This works out at almost €16,300/acre, which represents a strong price for farmland in the Trim area. The prime location coupled with the quality and character of the property undoubtedly contributed to such a healthy result.

Laois land bid to €510,000

Auctioneer William Mansfield from Property Partners, Mansfield, Rathdowney, opened the bidding for a circa 40-acre parcel of land situated in Grantstown, Ballacolla, Co Laois, at €400,000 at last week’s public auction.

With two local farmers in contention, the sale price moved past the €500,000 to €510,000, at which stage William was instructed to withdraw the land. It’s believed that post-auction negotiations have resulted in some further progress been made, but talks are ongoing. The selling agent is hopeful of concluding a deal in the short term. Described as “very good quality”, the land is in both tillage and grass.

Meanwhile, the same agent is handling the sale of a 107-acre residential farm situated in Tullowmacjames and Longorchard, Templetuohy, Co Tipperary. The farm, which is currently in grass, is being offered in a range of lots and is guided in the region of €1m.

Local man secures Offaly parcel at €9,800/acre

Around 40 people turned up to last week’s auction of a 25-acre non-residential parcel of grassland situated in Ballykeane, Geashill, Co Offaly. It was one of the first auctions conducted by auctioneer Gordon Cobbe who recently joined GVM Auctioneers, Tullamore.

After taking an opening offer of €170,000, the bidding proceeded in €10,000 and €5,000 increments to €240,000, with the help of four interested parties. After this, the bids dropped to €2,000 increments and at €242,000, Gordon declared the land on the market. A further €4,000 soon saw the hammer fall at €246,000 (€9,840/acre) to a local man who is believed to have a farming background.

Described as a “fine piece of land”, the property is currently in grass and features dual road frontage.