More Tour de France than Grand Prix, it was a test of endurance that paid off in the end, as auctioneer Dillon Murtagh deftly played the long game on Friday 9 October, bringing the hammer down at €4.95m on Templepatrick, a 341ac residential farm in Moyvore, Co Westmeath.
Opening at €2.7m to a busy crowd at the Murtagh Bros auction room in Enfield, Co Meath, the ringfenced holding, which includes a substantial farmhouse and yard, saw steady but spirited bidding to €3.85, where it held.
Calling the first of several vendor consultations, the auctioneer quickly returned to seek further bids, which reignited the action, pushing the price to €4.1m before pausing.
“We’re not quite there yet,” said Dillon, as the battle picked up where it had left off as the competition pool whittled down.
“You’re going to make me work hard,” he joked at €4.525m as the increments fell to €25,000.
Steady bidding continued to €4.6m, where it held with the bidder on the right, despite the auctioneer’s encouragement to the underbidder: “Don’t let it go, you’ve been here all along.”
They weren’t to be drawn.
“If we withdraw, the highest bidder will have first option for half an hour after the sale,” he warned, “so put your best foot forward.”
This elicited the desired response and bidding reignited yet again, continuing to €4.7m.
“We need to do better, it’s a fine farm. Where are you going to get 341ac in a single block?” Dillon urged, as the bidding threatened to stall.
It went on at a slower pace, reaching €4.85m before the auctioneer called one final recess. On his return, he put the farm on the market.
An intense flurry ensued to €4.95m and the auctioneer raised the first call.
“One more bid might do it. Will you try one more?” he asked as he raised the second call. But the underbidder was done and the gavel came down on a long and lively contest that was valiantly fought.
The sale represents a price of €14,516/ac, which is 10% more than the county average, according to the Irish Farmers Journal Land Report.
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