The farm, laid out in one large parcel, was being offered in three separate lots or in the entire. However, it was to be the entire that garnered the interest at the auction, which saw an opening bid of €500,000 from the floor.

The bidding quickly progressed and halted at €715,000, with a solicitor acting on behalf of an interested party the highest bidder. The property was withdrawn from the auction unsold.

Negotiations ensued after the auction with the interested parties reaching a deal.

There ended up being two separate buyers, with one farmer purchasing 76 acres and another farmer purchasing the remaining 14 acres.

While the final fee for the purchase is undisclosed, it is believed that it is substantially higher than the €715,000 figure that it was withdrawn at.

The farm is divided into six large fields and is all currently under pasture as the farm has been leased out for drystock production over the past number of years.

The sale was handled by Joseph Coogan Auctioneers, Castlecomer.

Prior to the sale, a guide price of €8,000 to €10,000/acre was set for the property.

Elsewhere in Laois

Jordan auctioneers, Newbridge, is bringing a circa 19.5-acre parcel at Ballybrittas, Co Laois, to public auction on Thursday 5 October in the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge.

Of the 19.5 acres, circa 15 cares is currently under corn, with the remainder under permanent pasture. Mature hedgerows surround the parcel, which is serviced by a mains water supply.

The property is located just off the old N7 between Monasterevin and Portlaoise. The property comes with a guide price of €140,000.