A high opening bid of €1.2m was taken at last week’s auction of a 120-acre non-residential farm situated in Newtown, Killeigh, Tullamore, Co Offaly. A former dairy farm, the property was home to a milking herd of cows up to a year ago, and came to the market with a range of farm buildings that included cubicle accommodation for 200 cattle, a large silage pit and slurry storage facilities.

Competitive bidding at the auction from just two prospective buyers saw the sale price quickly proceed to €1.375m. At this stage, selling agent Coonan Auctioneers Celbridge and Maynooth, was instructed to withdrawn the farm at €1.375m (almost €11,500/acre). It’s understood that private negotiations are still ongoing, but the agent is confident of concluding a deal in the short term. One of the bidders was thought to be local, while the other was from outside the area.

Described as “the best of free-draining land”, the farm is said to be without waste and apart from grassland would equally suit a tillage enterprise. Used to graze young stock and harvest silage over the past few months, Newtown is set out in one big 120-acre block and is laid out in three primary fields that are accessed from a fine central roadway. It was guided at €10,000/acre prior to auction.

Wicklow hill farm

makes €255,000

An elevated 46.9-acre hill farm situated at Sheilstown and Ballymaghroe, Knockananna, Arklow, Co Wicklow, sold under the hammer for €255,000 at last week’s public auction. Auctioneer Alan Kinsella from Kinsella Estates, Gorey, initially offered the property in two separate lots, but it became clear that the real interest laid with the entire.

After opening at €175,000, the sale price shot up to €225,000 with the help of three active bidders. Alan declared the property on the market at €225,000, but it took a further €35,000 before the hammer finally fell at €255,000 (€5,400/acre). The buyer, who is Irish but currently resides in Australia, is an adjoining landowner. It’s understood he intends to return to Ireland and bring the land back to production. About 28 acres of the farm require reclamation and reseeding. The other two bidders at the auction were from the general area.

land under negotiationS

It’s understood that a 39-acre farm situated at Boston Hill, Rathangan, Co Kildare, was withdrawn at last week’s public auction and is currently under negotiation. REA Sothern, Carlow, is handling the sale.

Mixed land in Co Cork

Last week’s sale of a 46.25-acre farm situated in Shanballyshane, Kilnamartyra, Macroom, Co Cork, went on to beat the guide price when it was knocked down at €420,000. The property, which features circa 25 acres of good grazing ground and circa 20 acres in need of reclamation, has been rented out for the past number of years. Selling agent Killian Lynch, Macroom, opened the bidding at €290,000, which steadily moved in €5,000 increments to €370,000. Killian was then instructed to place the farm on the market at €370,000, but this didn’t seem to phase the three bidders as they continued to actively bid all the way up to €420,000, at which stage the hammer fell. This works out at almost €9,100/acre. The buyers were two local farmers.

Meath land unsold

It’s understood that a 30.41-acre farm situated in Mayo Road, Gibbstown, Navan, Co Meath, was unsold at last auction. The property failed to reach its reserve and was withdrawn by selling agent Smith Harrington, Navan. It is now for sale by private treaty at a guide of circa €10,000/acre.