With less than a dozen farms offered for sale in the first half of the year, it’s good to see five or six more arriving to the market in Co Carlow in recent weeks. Land for sale in the county is a precious commodity and although much sought after, buyers come across as extremely prudent and don’t get carried away when it comes to price.

Auctioneers John Dawson and Matthew Conry from REA Dawson, Tullow, will offer three properties for sale throughout the second week of October – two of which are in Carlow while the third is up the road in Co Kildare. While much of the country was trawling the main thoroughfares at the National Ploughing Championships last Wednesday, I instead took a spin to Carlow and Kildare to view the farms.

64.6 acres near Clonegal

At Coolroe, Clonegal, Co Carlow, a lovely 64.64-acre non-residential tillage farm is set to generate a nice level of local interest, especially from those looking to add to their existing holding.

For those familiar with the area, the property looks out towards the Coillte Nurseries at Ballintemple and features extensive frontage to two county roads. Laid out in four fields, the land has been rented out for tillage for the last number of years and is currently in stubble. One of the fields, extending to 14.2 acres, is situated directly across the road from the remaining circa 50.4 acres.

With its own access from the road, the traditional-style farmyard is almost concealed by mature trees and features a two-bay shed, a four-bay round roof shed with lean-to, a lofted granite building and the remains of an old house. The land would be regarded as top-quality for the area and is without waste (with the exception of a small section in the 14.2 acres across the road).

Coolroe would make a wonderful addition to any existing farm, especially as it is being offered in one or two separate lots.

These include 14.2 acres and the yard on 50.4 acres, respectively. Situated just over two miles from Clonegal village, the property will be auctioned on 12 October at 3pm in the auction room of Dawson Auctioneers, Tullow, and is guided in the region of €10,000/acre.

97-acre holding at

Ballyconnell

The following day, John and Matthew will offer a 97.96-acre residential holding at Crecrin, Ballyconnell, Tullow, for sale. Equidistant (five miles) from both Shillelagh and Tullow, this farm has always been in tillage and grass, and in more recent years has been let out to local farmers.

It’s only about a mile off the main Tullow/Shillelegh road and comes with a two-storey farmhouse and a small range of outbuildings.

With frontage at the entrance only, the land extends back behind the house into one almost square-like block. There are a couple of grass paddocks around the house and a further three grass fields, amounting to a total of circa 37 acres in pasture. The remaining circa 60 acres (five fields) is in tillage and I understand that at least two of the grass fields could also be tilled. As you walk back across the farm, there is a gentle fall on the land that gradually extends down to a circa 15-acre field which would benefit from some attention.

In one sense, the farm remains unspoilt with its lovely mature trees and hedges as well as boosting expansive scenic views of the surrounding countryside. What is also very useful is that the property has access on to a shared lane that runs the whole way up along one of the boundaries.

Set back from the road, the residence is a traditional two-storey house that features two reception rooms, kitchen, shower room, storage room, bathroom and three upstairs bedrooms. There are also a number of stone outbuildings and a three-bay hayshed to the rear of the house. For sale by auction on 13 October at 3pm in Dawson’s auction room, Tullow, the farm will be offered in its entirety or in two separate lots that include the house and outbuildings on circa 4.21 acres, and the remaining circa 93.75 acres, respectively. The arable land is guided at €10,000/acre.

55.59 acres near Athy

Then to finish off the week, Dawson Auctioneers will offer a 55.59-acre residential unit at Castleheban, Athy, Co Kildare, on 14 October. As I was approaching this farm last week, the area looked familiar to me when I realised I was close to the site of the 2011 National Ploughing Championships which were staged in Athy. The Grand Canal gave it away. For those familiar with the area, the property backs on to Bert House Stud and is accessed from a county road off the main Athy/Stradbally road.

Approached down a long shared cul de sac, the Castleheban farm has been in pasture for a long number of years and is set out in a long, single block of 55.5 acres. Rented out for a number of years, the land is set out in well-sheltered fields that extend all the way down to the River Barrow. It’s a farm that offers huge potential but would greatly benefit from ploughing, liming and reseeding.

When I was there last week, the neighbouring farmer had the drill out, ready to sow in the adjoining field, which gives an indication of the quality of the surrounding land.

At the entrance is an old-style cottage style residence in need of refurbishment. There is also a three-bay round roof shed with lean-to and some outoffices.

To be auctioned on 14 October at 3pm in the Clonard Hotel, Athy, the property will be offered in one lot only and is guided in the region of €8,000/acre.