One of the most interesting things about Christmas time is looking back at some of biggest land sales all over the country during the year. 2017 saw some stellar results with numerous estates selling around Ireland.
But what sales were the most valuable?
Acres: 2,400.
Price: €17.4m.
Location: Donegal.
Savills confirmed in July 2017 that An Grianán Estate was bought by Glenmore Estate Farms. The buyer is a company controlled by local businesspeople Karol and Chantelle McElhinney, who have interests in tillage and livestock farming as well as bioenergy and construction.
They paid the Donegal Investment Group €17.425m for the property, which includes 1,290ac of organically farmed land and a 500ac lake at Speenoge, Burt, Co Donegal.
This is in line with the guide price published when An Grianán was put on the market just one year ago. It was described by Savills as “one of Europe’s largest organic farms”.
Acres: 294.
Price: €8.15m.
Location: Meath.
Standing on circa 294 acres, the famous Ballymacoll Stud, Dunboyne, Co Meath, sold for €8.15m at auction on Tuesday 27 June.
A stunning combination of sheer class and size, the property was once guided for between €12m to €13m when it went for private treaty at the back end of 2016.
A stud farm steeped in heritage and tradition, it has bred two Derby winners, nine Classic winners and 30 Group 1 winners over the past 50 years.
One such example is Arkle, regarded by many as one of Ireland’s greatest national hunt horses. The sale was handled by REA Coonan.
Acres: 338.
Price: circa €4.5m.
Location: Kildare.
Standing on 338 acres, this is a renowned property in the area, situated three miles from Sallins, making it one of the biggest land banks in the region.
The property came to the market with a 5,700 square feet Palladian period mansion, a courtyard, stable yard and two gate lodges along with almost 340 acres of amenity and arable land.
Although the land was guided for circa €6.5m, it made far less.
It was sold privately. It is believed the buyer is a prominent bloodstock owner from the area. The mansion here is in need of restoration.
The sale was handled by Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes, Farms and Estates, Dublin.
Acres: 171.
Price: circa €3.3m.
Location: Kildare.
This property was sold on 24 October after being withdrawn at public auction at €3m. After negotiations, this stunning stud farm sold for a price in the region of €3.3m.
Originally guided at €3.5m for the entire, the property was owned by a Spanish businessman with an interest in the equine industry but is based in Spain.
Some 171 acres of top-quality Kildare pastureland was complemented by two residences and numerous stud facilities.
The sale by handled by REA Coonan.
Acres: 205.
Price: €3m.
Location: Kildare.
This exceptional sale took place on 27 June this year.
Originally guided at €10,000/acre, this substantial block of top-quality land sold under the hammer for €14,500/acre. This beef and sheep farm, located at Ardclough, Straffan, Co Kildare, is set out in one large expansive 205ac block and comes with a derelict period house which overlooks the farm.
The farmyard is traditional, comprising haysheds, a machinery shed and some stone outbuildings. The location of the property makes it very appealing, with easy access to the M7 Dublin-Limerick and M4 Dublin-Sligo motorways. The sale was handled by Jordan Auctioneers.
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