The last of Markree Demesne, Markree, Co Sligo, went under the hammer last week. It’s understood that Markree Castle Hotel sold earlier this year and the remaining 263 acres were offered for sale by auction last Friday. The property, which is just 7.5 miles from Sligo town, featured 56 acres of forestry, 13.8 acres of clear felled ground, 100 acres of grazing ground and 92.7 acres of old woodland.

Joint agents Murphy & Sons, Sligo, and Ganly Walters, Dublin, offered the property in its entire and in two separate lots. The entire was bid to €680,000 and with no further movement it was withdrawn.

Then the focus shifted to the lots.

A 64.2-acre parcel of woodland, which was situated a short distance away, was declared on the market at €50,000 and two bids later sold for €52,000 to a person from Co Sligo. Having opened at €650,000, the remaining circa 199 acres went to the market at €680,000 and three bids later was knocked down at €710,000 to a non-local. This gave a combined total of €762,000. The entire was guided at €725,000 prior to auction.

Talks continue for Kerry stud

It’s understood that last week’s auction of Rockfield House and Stud, Boulia, Firies, Killarney, Co Kerry, was called off the evening before. The property, which is located 10 miles from Killarney, stands on 40 acres and came to the market with a country farmhouse, a stable yard and stunning views of the Gap of Dunloe.

It’s believed that joint agents Hennigan Auctioneers, Killarney, and Jerome Regan, Killorglin and Killarney, were approached by a potential buyer with what is described as a “substantial offer” for the 35 acres of land the night before the auction. However, no deal has been fully completed yet and both agents are still open to higher offers on the land, or indeed the entire property. Described as “exceptional quality”, the limestone land is guided at €15,000/acre. The country farmhouse, which extends to 4,000 square feet, can be sold separately on circa four acres.

Described as a “real gem”, the Georgian house is surrounded by magnificent gardens that contain water features and is guided in the region of €400,000.

Meanwhile, auctioneer Jerome Regan is handling the sale of a 57-acre non-residential farm situated in the Currow/Kilcummin/Killarney area. Set out in one block, the land is described as “good high ground”.

About 40 acres have been reseeded and the property also comes with an old farmhouse and some old sheds. It is keenly priced at €350,000.

Wicklow parcel bid to €160,000

It’s understood that a 19-acre plantation situated in Glenwood, Croneybyrne, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, is under negotiation following last week’s public auction. The property was bid to €160,000 at auction, but fell short of the €10,000/acre guide price. Selling agent Pat O’Neill from O’Neill and Flanagan, Aughrim and Rathdrum, withdrew the property at €160,000 and has entered negotiations with a number of interested parties. The land, which comprises 16 acres sown to Christmas trees, one acre of hardwood trees and about two acres of waste, attracted local interest.

Meath stud open to offers

It’s understood that a 34-acre residential equestrian farm situated in Grangeclare, Oristown, Co Meath, was unsold at last week’s public auction.

The property was bid to €420,000 at auction, falling well short of the €600,000 guide price.

Selling agent Smith Harrington, Navan, is offering Grangeclare for sale by private treaty and is currently open to offers.

The property, which comes with a five-bedroom dormer bungalow that is in “excellent order”, was used as a tourist open farm. It comes with a range of equestrian facilities that include 24 stables, a seven-furlong all-weather gallop, a large barn and staff accommodation. The land is suited to grazing.

Limerick farm makes in region of €10,600/acre

A 49-acre residential farm situated in Boherduff, Caherelly, Grange, Co Limerick, sold after last week’s auction. Selling agent John Carroll, GVM Limerick, withdrew the farm at €430,000, but sold it afterwards for a figure believed to be in the region of €520,000 (€10,600/acre). The buyer was a neighbouring farmer. Described as “excellent quality”, the land is laid out in easily managed divisions and came with a bungalow residence that requires some modernisation. The joint agent was Matthew Ryan, Tipperary.

12 acres near

Ballyneety

Meanwhile, a 12-acre parcel of land situated in Ballymacreese, Ballyneety, Co Limerick, was withdrawn at €90,000 at public auction. It’s understood that a higher offer has since been put on the land, but negotiations are still continuing. Reported to be a “lovely piece of land”, the property is situated right across from Ballyneety golf course and was guided at €150,000 prior to auction. Auctioneer Tom Crosse, GVM Limerick, is handling the sale.