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Anthony Jordan

ajordan@farmersjournal.ie

The land market is well reflected by the auction room. Auctions made up over a quarter of land offered to the market in 2017 and it sums up the peculiarity of the sector and its dependence on numerous factors. Take the last three weeks for example. Some extraordinary sales were counterbalanced by numerous disappointments. Over half of auctions were withdrawn, with some auctioneers citing lack of bidders and interest when it came to the crunch. Irish Country Living looks at 11 auctions held over this time.

Moorepark Farm, Garristown, Dublin

Acres: 200.

Auctioneer: Thomas Potterton, REA TE Potterton.

Result: €2,000,000 (€10,000/ac).

Status: Sold under the hammer.

The most substantial auction of the last two weeks. Guided for €2m prior to auction, the holding is a superb farm on the Meath-Dublin border. Scenic and idyllic, the lands are surrounded by wonderful views of the unspoiled, rolling countryside. Offered in three lots prior to auction, it was sold in the entire. Arable farm with productive grassland, it was believed to be sold to a tillage and drystock farmer.

Martinstown, Crossakiel, Kells, Meath

Acres: 67.

Auctioneer: Thomas Potterton, REA TE Potterton.

Result: Withdrawn at €500,000 (€7,500/ac).

Status: Not sold.

Located in Martinstown, near Crossakiel, this 67-acre plot was offered in one single lot. A top-quality holding, it is mainly laid out in winter wheat with circa 10 acres laid out in grass. It is guided for circa €8,000/ac, or €536,000, and negotiations still under way on the holding.

Bracklye, Pallasgreen, Limerick

Acres: 32.

Auctioneer: John Fitzgerald, Dougan Fitzgerald.

Result: Withdrawn at €160,000 (€5,000/ac).

Status: Sold.

Receiving a single bid, the holding was withdrawn at €160,000, or €5,000/ac, before negotiations saw the holding sell for a higher price. The lands here were of mixed quality.

Boley, Ballyadams, Laois

Acres: 18.

Auctioneer: Fingleton and Co.

Result: Withdrawn at €117,000 (€6,500/ac).

Status: Not sold.

Guided for €150,000, the land is good grazing ground. It opened at €70,000, with three bidders driving it to the withdrawn price of €117,000. Negotiations are ongoing.

Streamstown, Castlepollard, Westmeath

Acres: 83.

Auctioneer: Willie Coonan, Coonan Properties.

Result: €650,000 (€8,125/ac).

Status: Sold under the hammer.

Located within 2km from Castlepollard this is a fully certified organic farm for five years. Currently all in grass it extends almost 83 acres, and is maintained and kept in good condition.

Clonguiffin, Longwood, Meath

Acres: 108.

Auctioneer: Willie Coonan, Coonan Properties.

Result: Withdrawn.

Status: Not sold.

A quality holding, the property did not receive a bid at auction. Negotiations are ongoing for the residential property, which is currently all laid out in grass.

Bolandstown, Delvin, Westmeath

Acres: 20.

Auctioneer: Padriac Murtagh, James L Murtagh.

Result: €170,000 (€8,500/ac).

Status: Sold under the hammer.

Opening at €150,000, the two bidders got involved before the hammer fell at €170,000. The buyer was a businessman with beef interests. The land was good-quality, grazing ground.

Rathmore and Gorteenafoly, Sharavogue, Co Offaly

Acres: 20.5.

Auctioneer: Seamus Browne, REA Seamus Browne.

Result: Withdrawn.

Status: Sold.

Sold in two separate lots by Browne, the first was a 13-acre holding and the second was a 7.5-acre parcel. Both were withdrawn from auction and were sold afterwards. The final price was believed to be in region of over €9,500/ac, though this was not confirmed.

Lavistown, Dublin Road, Kilkenny

Acres: 20.

Auctioneer: Neville Stanley, Cilin Hill, Kilkenny.

Result: €470,000 (€23,500/ac)

Status: Sold under the hammer.

One of the most impressive sales of the year, the holding was sold after it opened at €12,500/ac, or €250,000. Three bidders meant the holding flew until it reached €400,000. Put on the market at €450,000 it sold under the hammer at €470,000. The land is not zoned and was bought by a local farmer.

Cush, Pullough, Tullamore, Offaly

Acres: 38.

Auctioneer: Gordon Cobbe, GVM Tullamore.

Result: Withdrawn at €110,000 (€2,900/ac).

Status: Sold.

Described as summer grazing ground, the holding was withdrawn from auction after being offered in too lots. After withdrawal, it was sold to a man acting in trust for a substantially higher price.

Bishopslough, Bennettsbridge, Kilkenny

Acres: 53.

Auctioneer: Pat Gannon, Pat Gannon Auctioneers.

Result: €665,000 (€12,537/ac).

Status: Sold.

Opening at €420,000, this quality holding was bid on by three interested parties. A break at €500,000, the holding flew to €630,000 and sold under the hammer by Gannon. It had been rented for the last number of years and is kept in very good order.