Land prices fell in Co Wicklow last year to average €11,628/ac. This was a drop of 21% from the €14,841/ac the year before. A possible reason for this is that fewer top-end farms in prime locations were offered and sold by year end.

Our survey looked at 3,009ac on 38 farms that were offered for sale and we did calculations on 16 sold by year end.

Prices ranged from €3,495/ac to €24,615/ac.

O’Brien Swaine Auctioneers brought a valuable residential 113ac farm to the market in late summer. The holding, Coolboy Farm, was just outside Arklow and was offered in lots. A 65ac block close to the town sold for just over €24,500/ac, another 40ac block was sold for €14,000/ac, and both were purchased by local farmers. The houses were sold separately and the total was €2.995m.

Another substantial holding was 66.5ac of grassland at Ballyhurtin, Rathsallagh, in the west of the county, offered by Jordan Auctioneers. It sold before auction at over the guide price.

Across Leinster, small holdings met good demand. Quinn Property sold 10ac with an equestrian yard at Sruhaun, Baltinglass for €219,000, or €21,900/ac.

The farm had been guided at €150,000 and six people took part in the online auction.

Vital statistics

Average*: €11,628/ac

% change: -21%

Acres offered: 3,009

Total number of farms: 38

Price range: €3,495/ac to €24,615/ac

Most active buyers: Suckler/beef

Weighted average: €10,601/ac

*Number of transactions: 16