It’s been a busy spell for Sligo auctioneers, REA McCarrick & Sons. In mid-November a three-acre field of reasonably good-quality land at Mullaghmore village in north Co Sligo defied all expectations. Marketed as “agricultural land only” the coastal location and stunning view attracted huge interest.

It had a reserve of €50,000 but with five bidders actively involved it ended up almost doubling the reserve price.

After 46 bids in finally went under the hammer at €96,000 which equated to €32,000/ac.

Three Collooney farms

Moving south of Sligo town to Collooney, a total of 108ac was on offer at an auction on Wednesday 24 November 2021.

This land was comprised of three separate lots and was an executor sale. The different lots had no entitlements attached and were guided in the region of €5,000 to €6,000/ac.

The first lot offered was at Claragh Scotch, Ballinacarrow, and comprised 38.5ac of reasonably good-quality land but with poor access. This attracted good interest and there were four active bidders.

Opening at €140,000, it rose quickly to €210,000, at which point it went on the market. It sold quickly afterwards for €225,000, or €5,845/ac.

The second farm was at Ballinabole, Collooney. It comprised of 28ac and was in need of an upgrade. It was offered initially in two lots, but sold eventually in its entirety for €160,000, or €5,715/ac.

The third farm at Carrickbanagher, Collooney comprised of 40ac and included an old semi-derelict cottage. The land was in need of general upgrade. Offered all in one lot, it attracted three active bidders and opened at €180,000. It rose quickly to €240,000 and went on the market before being sold at €250,000, €6,250/ac.

The cottage on the 29ac holding at Carrickbanagher.

Auctioneer Roger McCarrick, who handled the sale, was well satisfied with the results as were the vendors.

“All the lands need considerable upgrade to bring them back to good farm use, and the prices achieved reflected this.”

This was the first live auction held by Roger McCarrick since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking after the sale he said: “Online auctions have their place, but they cannot generate the atmosphere of an in-room auction. Going forward I will continue to mix and match sales with both online and in-room.”