The supply of land for sale and prices were both up in Kildare. Two well located stud farms helped drive on the average price.

The number of holdings put on the market was 37, up from 30 last year. The total area on offer was 1,895ac, up from 1,394ac.

The extra land on offer met good demand. Average price was €16,651/ac, a 6% increase on the €15,646/ac of the year before.

The highest price was €39,623/ac, well up from €29,762/ac the previous year. It was paid for the 53ac Windgates Stud located near Celbridge and sold at auction by Coonan Property for €2.1m. The same auctioneer also had the second highest price in the county from nearby Pickering Stud on 104ac, which it sold at auction for €3.45m or €33,173/ac.

Fifteen holdings were under 40ac, 17 were 40ac to 99ac and five were above 100ac. The smaller properties averaged €14,061/ac on sale, the larger ones €18,686/ac.

Auctions are popular in Kildare and last year was no exception. Twenty-five of the sales were by auction, compared to 12 by private treaty. The majority of auctions saw a sale on the day, reflecting good demand.

Jordan Town & Country were also particularly busy on the auction front. They sold the 104ac Mill House at Kilgowan for €1.85m and 91ac at Inchaquire, Ballitore for €1.64m.

Average: €16,651/ac

% change on 2021: 6

Acres offered: 1,895

Total number of farms: 37

Price range: €5,385/ac to €39,623/ac

Most active buyers: business

Weighted average: €17,033/ac

Number of transactions: 25