It was all over in about five minutes for auctioneer Pat Burke, Headford Property Sales, when he offered a 20-acre parcel of land situated at Gortacurra Cross, Co Mayo, for sale by auction recently.

The land, which is laid out in three fields, is described as “good agricultural land” but had no buildings or residence.

It is situated just three miles from the lovely village of Cong. Before a crowd of about 35 people, Pat opened the bidding at €100,000, which briskly moved in €5,000 increments to €185,000.

After consultation with the vendor, it was decided to declare the farm on the market at €185,000. However, neither of the two bidders were willing to concede and while bids as low as €1,000 were taken, it took a further €12,000 before the hammer finally fell at €197,000.

This works out at €9,850/acre which would be regarded as a strong price for land in the area.

The buyer was a neighbouring farmer while the underbidder was a businessman from Tourmakeady looking to invest in land.

The auctioneer is keen to acquire similar properties in the area.

Despite the packed auction room, a beautiful period residence standing on 21 acres at Balsaw, Wilkinstown, Navan, Co Meath, was unsold at last week’s public auction.

Just five minutes’ drive from Navan town, the property came to the market with a four-bedroom residence, four loose stables and a purpose-built portal frame shed.

At the auction, the bidding fell short of the €475,000 guide price and was withdrawn at €440,000. The property is now under active negotiation and has made progress since the auction. However, at the time of going to press, no deal had been concluded.

Approached from a gravelled driveway, the residence originally dates back to the early 20 century but has been extensively refurbished over the years.

Reported to be in “excellent condition”, accommodation includes a sitting room, dining area with Stanley stove, oak-fitted kitchen, utility, four bedrooms (three with cast iron fireplaces and one ensuite) and bathroom.

Outside, there are landscaped gardens that are decorated with lovely mature trees and hedges.

With the exception of a small paddock, the land is laid out in four grass fields, is well fenced and piped with water. Certified organic for the last five years, the land is described as “excellent quality”.

The yard comprises a four-bay steel frame shed, a stable block that features four loose boxes and a large general-purpose shed with portal frame that extends to 5,059 square feet.

Co Clare land makes €6,250/acre

A 32-acre parcel of land at Knockliscrane, Miltown Malbay, Co Clare, sold under the hammer for €200,000 (€6,250/ac), at last week’s public auction.

The property, which is a short distance from Miltown Malbay, mostly attracted local interest and was described as “good agricultural land”. Pat Considine Auctioneers, Kilrush, handled the sale.

Also belonging to the same vendor was a 59-acre farm at Clounlaheen, Miltown Malbay. This farm fell short of the €180,000 guide price and was withdrawn at €165,000. It’s understood that auctioneer Pat Considine is in talks with the highest bidder and the property is under active negotiation. About half the farm is described as “good upland grazing”. The property came with an old dwelling house.