The land market in Waterford was notable last year for a number of reasons. The supply of land for sale almost doubled. Four farms over 100ac were put up for sale, two of them over 200ac. Finally, and unfortunately for sellers, price fell quite sharply.

Twenty-nine farms were placed on the market, up from 26 the year before. Farm sizes were bigger – the total area was 2,022ac, up from 1,078ac. Average price was €11,258/ac, down from €12,513/ac the year before. That was a drop of €1,254/ac or 10%.

Eleven holdings were under 40ac and averaged €11,756/ac on sale. The 18 farms of over 40ac averaged €10,990/ac on sale. Most holdings were offered for sale by private treaty, only four were put up for auction.

The four large farms put on the market were the 265ac at Rocketts Castle Estate, Portlaw, from Savills; the 157.8ac at Coolroe and the 145.27ac at Mothel, both from Nicholas Dwane Auctioneers, and the 230ac at Old Parish from Property Team Noel Mackey. These sold under private treaty for seven figure sums.

Harty & Co sold a number of holdings by private treaty in the 30ac to 60ac bracket, with prices generally in the range of €10,000/ac to €12,000/ac.

Average: €11,258

% change on 2021: -10

Acres offered: 2,022

Total number of farms: 29

Price range: €2,039 to €17,997

Most active buyers: dairy

Weighted average: €11,191

Number of transactions: 20