An 89ac roadside farm situated at Ballinlyna, Kilfinane, Co Limerick, sold for €1,395,000 (€15,674/ac) at auction with GVM auctioneers on Friday last.

Described as an excellent-quality grassland farm situated in the heart of the Golden Vale, it was a former dairy farm with a considerable amount of road frontage close to Kilfinane. It was offered for sale in its entirety, or lots of 62ac and 27ac, respectively.

After a slow start, which saw only one offer placed when offered in lots, the auction kicked into life when the entire was opened to bidding. It opened at €900,000 and reached €1,150,000 before a recess and the vendors were consulted.

Following this, it was placed on the market and bids flowed from three bidders until auctioneer Richard Ryan brought the hammer down at €1,395,000.

The purchaser was a north Cork-based solicitor acting in trust for a client.

Laois land leases

Meanwhile in Laois, auctioneer Joseph Coogan had five-year leases on three farms up for public auction last Friday.

All had no entitlements and prices ranged from €575/ac for 25ac at Durrow to €450/ac at Abbeyleix, while a 29ac farm at Ballacolla was withdrawn at €380/ac and subsequently leased at a higher figure.