It was a hectic year for the farmland market in Kilkenny, with both supply and price well up and dairy farmers driving the demand. Twenty-nine farms were placed on the market, up from 23 the year before. The total area was 1,237ac, well up from the 967ac of the year before.

However, there was strong demand for every acre. As a result, 26 of the 29 farms were sold by year end. Average price rose by 11% to €15,606/ac. Price the year before was €13,523/ac, so the increase was €1,500/ac. The market was driven by dairy farmers who bought half of all holdings that sold.

Half of the holdings were under 40ac, and these averaged €14,346/ac on sale. Eight were in the range of 40ac to 99ac and two over 100ac. These larger farms averaged an impressive €16,537/ac on sale. Farmers competed for the bigger blocks of land.

Kilkenny saw one of the biggest farms of the year sold. It was the 235ac Columbcille, at Thomastown which was successfully auctioned by Joe Coogan Auctioneers. The big farm, which included 30ac of forestry, was knocked down for €3.1m to the Heffernan family, well known dairy farmers.

In other notable auctions, Michael Barry Auctioneer auctioned 53ac at Roscon, Windgap for €1.68m. Pat Gannon had a great outcome at the auction of 106.5ac at Earlsrath, Mullinavat, selling it for €2.52m. PN O’Gorman sold 29ac at The Rower for €600,000 – this auction was done and dusted in six minutes.

Average: €15,020/ac

% change on 2021: 11

Acres offered: 1,237

Total number of farms: 29

Price range: €6,438/ac to €32,941/ac

Most active buyers: dairy

Weighted average: €15,606/ac

Number of transactions: 26