The land market progressed at an extremely steady pace in Co Meath last year in terms of price, volume and sales. A total of 86 farms incorporating 4,298 acres were offered for sale in 2016 – only slightly up from the 4,136 acres that went to the market in 2015.

Some fine properties entered the market to include a 238-acre farm at Grange, Kilbride Road, Ratoath, which sold in a private deal; a 234-acre farm at Gilltown, Slane, was knocked down at auction at €2.5m or €10,600/acre; a period residence standing on 102 acres at Drumman, Duleek, was offered for sale by private treaty, while a 117-acre residential package located at Mullaghroe, Slane, sold at auction for €1.17m or €10,000/acre. There was also the renowned Ballymacoll Stud, Dunboyne, which stands on circa 295 acres and comes with an extensive range of equestrian facilities.

The average price paid for land last year was €11,465/acre – down slightly by 3% when compared to the previous year, which stood at €11,861/acre. Prices ranged from €5,300/acre for a 16-acre parcel near Summerhill to a top price of €25,700/acre for a well-located 16.3-acre residential holding situated at Knockmark, Drumree, which sold at auction for €420,000.

A total of 22 farms sold at auction. These included a 29-acre residential holding at Clonkeefy, Oldcastle, which sold for €270,000 or €9,300/acre; a 94-acre residential farm at Piercetown, Fordstown, made €1.45m or €15,400/acre; a 31-acre parcel at Cappagh, Enfield, sold for €344,000 or €11,000/acre, while a 94-acre farm located at Ballymacoll, Dunboyne, was knocked down at €1,070,000 or €11,300/acre.

There was also a 25-acre residential holding at Ross, Tara, that fetched €560,000 or €22,400/acre; a 37-acre fragmented parcel at Moneymore, Longwood, sold for €409,000 or €11,000/acre; 16 acres at Boherard, Killalon, sold for €130,000 or €8,100/acre; while a 32.5-acre parcel at Derrypatrick, Drumree fetched €214,000 or €6,500/acre.