Kildare farm knocked down at €18,800/acre

The prime location was one of the key drivers at last week’s lively auction of a 53.2-acre farm at Carnalway, Kilcullen, Co Kildare.

Situated in a much sought-after area beside Newberry House and stud, the land is set out in just two grass fields that are surrounded by lovely mature trees and hedges. It comes with excellent road frontage and a partially built residence. It generated active local interest.

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On the day, selling agent Pat O’Hagan, Savills Country, Dublin, opened the bidding at €500,000 which briskly shot up in a range of €10,000 to €50,000 increments all the way up to €900,000.

At this point, a new bidder entered the race and while no one was willing to concede, the bidding proceeded to €1m, at which stage the hammer fell. This works out at €18,800/acre, which represents one of the stronger prices recorded for land in the Kilcullen area this year.

The property was bought in trust for an undisclosed buyer. It was guided in the region of €665,000 prior to auction.

Almost €12,000/acre secured in Co Limerick

Up to 60 people turned up to last week’s auction of a 48-acre residential package at Newtown, Clarina, Co Limerick, to see the property sell in four separate lots for a combined figure of €571,000.

After a competitive round of bidding, the first lot comprising six acres made €100,000; a further six acres containing two derelict houses and some outbuildings made €265,000; 22 acres was knocked down at €150,000; while the remaining 12 acres of corcas-type land fetched €56,000. This gave a combined total of €571,000 or an average of €11,900/acre.

Although there was some outside interest on the day, the four lots were secured by people living in the parish. Selling agent Tom Crosse, GVM Auctioneers, Limerick, said that the overall price of almost €12,000/acre reflects the market for good-quality land in Co Limerick.

11.8 acres in South Wexford makes €11,800/acre

After opening at €80,000, bidding for an 11.8-acre parcel of land at Coleman, Arthurstown, Co Wexford, proceeded to €136,000 with the help of three interested parties.

After consultation with the vendor, selling agent Anne Carton, PN O’Gorman, New Ross, declared the land on the market at €136,000. Although one bidder dropped out, the two remaining parties drove the sale price into €140,000, at which stage the hammer fell. The buyer at €11,800/acre was a neighbouring farmer.

Situated on the outskirts of Arthurstown village, the land is laid out in two stubble fields and is reported to be of “excellent quality”.

Tipperary holding averages €7,300/acre

A 41-acre residential farm at Newtown, Drangan, Co Tipperary, sold under the hammer last week for €300,000.

Selling agent PF Quirke & Co. Clonmel, initially offered the property in two separate lots comprising the house on an acre which didn’t receive a bid while the circa 40 acres of land peaked at €270,000.

With that, the entire was put on the market at €300,000 and with no further movement, the property was knocked down at €7,300/acre to a neighbouring farmer. South facing and with dual-road frontage, the land hasn’t been farmed this year and is in need of some reclamation.

The residence, which has been rewired and comes with PVC windows and central heating, is in need of modernisation. There was also a stone coach house and a two-bay hayshed.

Commenting afterwards, the auctioneers said that the price reflected the projected cost of improving the land. Drainage, reclamation and investment in fertility are all required.

Two out of two for Carlow agent

Selling agent John Dawson from Dawson Auctioneers, Tullow, sold two small parcels of land in Carlow and Kilkenny last week.

The first block, comprising 17 acres at Priestvalley, Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny, was bought by an adjoining farmer for €110,000 (almost €6,500/acre). The land was in need of some reclamation.

The other block of circa 12.6 acres at Ballycreinnigan & Ballyling, St Mullins, Co Carlow, was withdrawn at €55,000 but sold after auction for an undisclosed higher figure.

Described as “mixed quality land”, it came with an old derelict residence and was bought by an adjoining landowner.

Talks continue for 40-acre block in Co Kerry

A 40-acre non-residential block of land at Cloonee, Tuosist, Kenmare, Co Kerry, was withdrawn at €80,000 at last week’s public auction.

It’s understood that auctioneer Tom Spillane, Killarney, is currently in talks with some local interested parties and negotiations are on-going.

Described as “marginal-type ground”, the property is almost landlocked and was guided in the region of €115,000 prior to auction.

Locals secure Cappawhite farm at €8,200/acre

A 47.3-acre residential farm at Cahernahallia, Cappawhite, Co Tipperary, sold in two separate lots at last week’s public auction for a combined figure of €389,000 (€8,200/acre).

The first lot, comprising a derelict farmhouse on circa 46 acres, sold for €375,000 while a further 1.3-acre parcel across the road made €14,000. Both lots were purchased by local farmers.

The land, which is renowned in the area for its superior qualities, has been let out for over 20 years and would benefit from some husbandry. Selling agent Donovan Auctioneers, Tipperary town, handled the sale.