Auctioneer Tom Cox, Strokestown, sold a 133-acre farm situated in Ballyhammond and Newtown, Strokestown, Co Roscommon, for a figure believed to be in the region of €1m. It’s understood the farm attracted a lot of interest prior to the closure of the sale, including a number of potential sterling customers.

However, the locals won the battle in the end, when the property sold in two lots to two adjoining landowners.

The first lot, comprising 120 acres along with a hay shed, a cattle crush and pen, made in the region of €900,000.

It’s reported this lot was mostly of good quality (some needed attention) and came with a small section of road frontage. With no less than six active bidders, the eventual buyer was an adjoining dairy farmer.

The remaining 13 acres were snapped up by an adjoining businessman/farmer for a figure believed to be in the region of €100,000. Divided by the River Bumlin, this lot attracted four serious contenders during the selling campaign.

Not stopping there, Cox also sold a 32-acre parcel of land situated in Caggle and Midgefield, Strokestown, in two lots, for a combined figure believed to be in the region of €140,000. The buyers were two adjoining farmers.

Elsewhere, a 50-acre residential farm situated in Hollymount, Co Roscommon, sold in one lot to an adjoining farmer for a figure thought to be in the region of €350,000. Comprising a mix of good-quality ground and land that requires reclamation, the property came with a two-storey residence and a cattle yard.

Meanwhile, a six-acre field in Borefield, Strokestown, was bought by a man with local connections for a figure in the region of €80,000. This property came with a small single-storey residence.

A further 18 acres at Clooneen, Heartland, Strokestown, were bought by an adjoining farmer for a figure in the region of €75,000.

It’s reported that Tom Cox has a 132-acre farm coming to the market in the Tulsk area over the next few weeks, while he currently has three farms for sale in the Fourmilehouse area.

Three out of three in Kilkenny

Auctioneer Pat Gannon, Kilkenny, handled a number of sales in recent weeks, all of which either sold under the hammer or by negotiation after auction.

Just last week at Carrickmerlin and Newmarket, Hugginstown, Co Kilkenny, a 44.5-acre farm sold in two separate lots for a figure in excess of €455,000. The first lot, comprising an old house on 29.5 acres, went to the market at €300,000 and sold under the hammer for €315,000 to a local.

The remaining 15 acres were withdrawn at €140,000, but sold soon afterwards for an undisclosed higher figure to a solicitor in trust. This gave a combined total in excess of €455,000.

The land, which is slightly elevated, came with an old house in need of repair and about three acres that require attention.

54 acres at Kilmacow

Meanwhile, Gannon offered a 54-acre residential farm situated in Kilmacow in two separate lots at auction. The house on 40 acres was withdrawn at €350,000, but sold afterwards for a substantially higher figure in trust to a Waterford-based solicitor. The land is accessed from a short lane and the house requires refurbishment. The remaining 14 acres, which is accessed down a long lane, was withdrawn at €100,000 but sold afterwards in a private deal for a higher figure to a local farmer.

27.5 acres at Kilderry

A further 27.5-acre parcel situated in Kilderry, Kilkenny, went to the market at €300,000 and later sold under the hammer for €350,000 to a local dairy farmer. This works out at €12,700/acre.

Local buys land

It’s understood that a 23-acre parcel of land situated in Kilmahon, Drumlish, Co Longford, sold under the hammer for €69,000 at last week’s public auction. It’s reported half the land was bog, while the remainder was suited to grazing. The buyer was a local. Farrell Bros, Longford, handled the sale.

Talks continue for 59-acre farm

It’s understood that negotiations are continuing following last week’s public auction of a 59-acre farm situated in Dressogue, Athboy, Co Meath. Selling agent Thomas Potterton, Trim, opened the bidding at €380,000, which steadily moved in €5,000 and €2,000 increments to €432,000 with the help of three customers.

After consulting with the vendors at €432,000, further offers were invited and the sale price progressed to €452,000, at which stage Potterton withdrew the property. It’s believed that the selling agent is in talks with the highest bidder, who is understood to be an adjoining landowner. Laid out in six well-sheltered fields, the land is serviced by a natural water supply and is said to be “without waste”.

The guide prior to auction was in the region of €500,000. At the time of going to press no deal had been agreed.

11-acre field makes sells after auction

Elsewhere, Potterton took an opening bid of €50,000 for an 11.5-acre field situated in Glaxtown, Delvin, Co Westmeath.

Moving in €2,000 increments, the sale price progressed to €62,000, at which stage the property was withdrawn.

However, it’s understood that a deal was agreed afterwards for a figure close to the €70,000 guide price. The buyer is a local farmer.

Owned by a Co Mayo man, the land came with extensive road frontage and would make a lovely site for a house subject to the appropriate planning permission.

Limerick farm makes in region of €850,000

Around 50 people turned up to last week’s auction of an 82-acre residential farm situated in Toberyquin, Ballyneety, Co Limerick. Auctioneer Tom Crosse, GVM, Limerick, opened the bidding at €500,000, which quickly shot up to €760,000.

With no further movement, the agent withdrew the farm at €760,000, but agreed a private deal afterwards and sold the property.

Although undisclosed, it’s understood the farm made in the region of €850,000, or almost €10,400/acre. The buyer is thought to be a substantial farmer from a neighbouring parish.

Described by the agent as a “top class grazing farm”, the limestone land features spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and came with a derelict farmhouse as well as a small range of outbuildings.

The property is accessed from a cul de sac and a shared passageway.