Kilkenny’s land market performed strongly in 2018. For the second year in a row, land supply jumped while land values increased 29%. Competition between strong farmers underpinned what was a buoyant market.

The average land price was €12,437/ac in the county last year, up from €9,648/ac in 2017. It is the first year since 2015 that prices have risen above €11,000/ac, having hovered around €10,000/ac since then. Prices in the county ranged from €4,000/ac to €29,240/ac. However, of the 45 recorded land sales, most were exceptionally strong, with 24 achieving over €11,000/ac.

Of the 46 public auctions, 50% sold under the hammer, with the majority of those withdrawn (52%) selling after auction. Some of the successes at auction included the 152ac farm with land divided into the townlands of Kildrinagh, Woodgift, Greenhill, Graine, and Tullaroan. This farm sold in 10 separate lots making a total of €1.88m or €12,400/ac. Circa 53ac in Bishoplough sold under the hammer for €665,000 or €12,550/ac; 82ac in Moneen sold to a dairy farmer for €847,000 or €10,330/ac; almost 47ac at Earlsgrove made €550,000 or €11,760/ac; while the second lot of that Earlsgrove farm (12.5ac) sold for €205,000 or €16,400/ac.

The highlight of the year was the reported sale of Castletown Cox on 513ac for around €20m back in April 2018. The substantial estate was believed to have been bought by an international buyer. Another significant sale was for the 72ac residential farm at Danesfort, which sold at auction for €1.75m to a beef farmer.

Dairy was very strong in Kilkenny last year. Over 33% of land sales were purchased by dairy farmers but competition for land was strong. Beef farmers made up almost 29% of complete transactions. Mixed farmers made up 13% of sales. The majority of these farmers were a mix of tillage and beef or dairy.

Vital statistics

  • *Average: €12,437/ac
  • Acres offered: 3,390
  • Total number of farms: 80
  • Price range: €4,000/ac- €29,240/ac
  • Most active buyers: Dairy
  • Weighted average: €15,843/ac
  • *Based on 45 transactions

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