Dublin had the most expensive land in 2013 with an average price of €16,115/acre recorded – up by 17.4% when compared to the 2012 average of €13,724/acre. This is well ahead of the average for Kildare at €13,114/acre – the second most expansive county to buy land.

Almost the same volume of land arrived on the market in Co Dublin last year at 1,755 acres (1,774 acres in 2012), but 600 acres of this was the carrying over of Lyons Demesne, Newcastle which has been on the market for the past number of years by private treaty.

Just seven transactions were recorded, which included three residential properties, all of which made top dollar. These included the sale of Montana House, The Ward, which sold under the hammer for €1.115 million, or almost €18,900/acre; an 18.8-acre residential holding at Kilsallaghan made €477,500 or €25,300/acre at auction while a small residential parcel achieved over €23,000/acre by private treaty. Undoubtedly, these three properties had a significant bearing on the overall average for 2013 and certainly contributed to the 17.4% hike.

Other sales included 32 acres near Skerries, which sold at auction for €350,000 or €10,900/acre; 32 acres near Kiltipper was knocked down at €320,000 or €9,900/acre, while a sizeable holding greater than 100 acres with buildings sold by private treaty for a figure in excess of €8,500/acre.

Apart from Lyons Demesne, the biggest farm to arrive on the market last year was St Edmundsbury, Lucan which extends to 274 acres all set out in one big block. This farm went to public auction and after a brisk battle, it was knocked down at €4.3 million or almost €15,700/acre.