Farmland prices eased back in Carlow last year to €15,156/ac, a drop of 11% from the €17,109/ac the year before.

This follows four years of rising prices. Prices in the county are still among the highest in the country, well above the national average.

Twenty-two farms involving 570ac that met our criteria were offered on the market last year.

Thirteen sold before year end, a total of 370ac. Of those 22 farms, 13 were offered by private treaty and nine at auction.

Smaller farms under 40ac averaged €14,028/ac, while larger farms over 40ac averaged €18,916/ac.

In one of the first auctions of 2024, Donohoe Town and Country sold a bungalow on 85ac at Clohastia, Borris.

Dairy farming connections

The guide price was €900,000 but the winning bid was €1.12m from a local businessperson.

There is keen demand for tillage land in Carlow. REA Dawson auctioned a 53.6ac tillage holding located at Coolnakisha, Leighlinbridge, for €925,000 or €17,244/ac. Three bidders competed, all local – the buyer was a family with dairy farming connections.

Holdings of good land of 40ac and upwards, well located near any of the bigger towns in the county, can sell in the range of €17,000/ac to €20,000/ac.

Vital statistics

Average*: €15,156/ac

% change on 2023: +11%

Acres offered: 570

Total number of farms: 22

Price range: €4,574/ac to €24,500/ac

Most active buyers: Business

Weighted average: €14,736/ac

*Number of transactions: 13