May was a busy month for GVM land auctions in Munster, with several farms generating strong bidding activity.

A 38ac roadside holding at Ballyea, Ballina, Co Tipperary, drew significant interest when it went to auction on 7 May at the Lakeside Hotel, Killaloe, Co Clare.

Opening at €300,000, the farm, comprising 22ac of grassland, 13ac of forestry and a glen, went on the market at €485,000. It was later knocked down by auctioneer Tom Crosse at €495,000, reflecting a price of €20,000/ac for the grassland, and €7,000/ac for the forestry.

The 32ac farm at Church Road, Croom, Co Limerick.

On 12 May, at the GVM auction room in Kilmallock, Co Limerick, auctioneer Richard Ryan brought the hammer down on a 32ac non-residential farm at Church Road, Croom, Co Limerick.

Opening at €425,000, the property was quickly bid up to €545,000. After a brief recess, it was placed on the market and sold for €625,000.

Aerial view of Lots 1 and 2 at Castlefarm, Croom, Co Limerick.

Aerial view of Lot 4 at Castlefarm, Hospital, Co Limerick.

However, it was a residential holding in Castlefarm, Hospital, Co Limerick, that generated the most interest when it went to auction on 20 May at the GVM auction room in Kilmallock, Co Limerick.

Potential buyers had the option of bidding on several lots: Lot 1, the residence and yard on just under 1ac; Lot 2, an adjoining 13ac parcel; Lot 3, the combined Lots 1 and 2, and Lot 4, a separate 3ac parcel.

Eventually selling in two lots, Lot 3 was bought by a family with farming and equine interests for €475,000, while Lot 4 sold to a local farmer for €15,500.

Commenting after the auction, Richard Ryan noted there were disappointed underbidders still seeking similar holdings, underlining the strong demand for farms in the area.