Despite taking active bidding on the lots, it was the entire that secured the highest price at last week’s auction of a circa 74.3-acre non-residential farm situated at Ballinacarrig, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow.

Selling agent David Quinn from Quinn Property, Carnew and Gorey, initially offered the farm in three separate lots that included 12 acres, which was bid to €100,000; 33 acres went to €240,000; while the last lot of 29.3 acres also peaked at €240,000. This gave a combined total of €580,000. With that, a single bid of €600,000 was placed on the entire.

Following this, David did one more sweep of the room and invited further offers on the lots and the entire but no one was willing to budge. He then withdrew the farm at €600,000 and entered talks with the highest bidder on the entire. It’s understood that a private deal was agreed at a higher figure with a local farming family.

Used to accommodate a dairy and sheep enterprise down through the years, the Ballinacarrig farm is set out in a single irregular-shaped block but has the benefit of three different access points to the land. Currently in grass, the majority of the land is described as “good free-draining ground” with the exception of circa five acres that would benefit from some drainage work. The farm was guided in the region of €8,000 to €9,000/acre prior to auction.

Sale agreed for 68-acre farm near Taghmon

Meanwhile, it’s understood that a 68-acre residential farm at Aughfad, Taghmon, Co Wexford, has been sold. The property was originally brought to the market by private treaty in August last year through auctioneer David Quinn, Carnew and Gorey. It’s believed that a private deal was agreed in recent months for an undisclosed figure with a Wicklow farming family.

Aughfad came to the market with a fine two-storey house, a block of nine stables and a range of farm buildings. The property was guided in the region of €750,000 at the time.