Kildare tillage farm knocked down at €19,100/acre

Price clearly reflected quality at last week’s auction of a 92-acre tillage farm at Bert Demesne, Athy, Co Kildare. Reported to be some of the best land in Kildare, the farm was expected to generate a steady level of interest on the buildup to auction, particularly given its location less than two miles from Athy. Guided at €12,000/acre prior to auction, it was anticipated that the farm could make up to €15,000/acre but the €19,100/acre price tag was not envisaged.

On the day, selling agent Paddy Jordan from Jordan Auctioneers, Newbridge, put up the entire as the first lot. After a modest opening bid of €500,000, four hungry interest parties quickly drove the sale price past the €1m mark. As no one was willing to concede, it wasn’t long until the bidding past €1.7m and eventually stopped at €1.74m. At this stage, Paddy parked the entire and turned his attention to the lots.

These included 64 acres which was bid to €1.1m, while the remaining 27.5 acres didn’t generate any offer. After a brief recess, it was decided to declare the farm on the market in its entirety at €1.74m. Two further bids were received, after which the hammer came down at €1.76m (€19,100/acre) in trust to a Newbridge-based solicitor. It is not known who the solicitor was acting for. The other bidders included two local farmers and a person from outside the area.

Although the room was packed, it’s thought that a number of local tillage farmers who had expressed interest in the farm didn’t get a chance to raise their hand given the intensity of the bidding. It’s suggested that there are pockets of development money still floating around in the area which is having a major influence on the price of some land parcels.

Bert Demesne has been sown to tillage for a long number of years and would be well-renowned in the area for producing top yields. Classified under the Fontstown series in the soils profile for Co Kildare, the land is currently nurturing a fine crop of oil-seed rape and winter wheat. Split by the entrance to Bert House, the farm is set out in two large divisions of 64 acres and 27.5 acres. Bounding two roads, the property has extensive frontage to the Monasterevin/Athy road and to a local country road. Mains water is on the road and part of the land also adjoins the River Barrow.