Land prices jumped in Co Offaly last year to an average of €13,229/ac. This was an increase of 28% from the €10,317/ac of the previous year. The performance was driven by strong demand and good properties put up for sale.

We examined 66 farms and holdings with a total of 2,589ac. These were a mix of all land types. We sought selling prices for land suited for general grazing and silage, or for tillage use.

Prices for those that sold by year-end ranged from €5,224/ac to €37,500/ac.

The top price was paid for a 10ac parcel near Rahan which sold at auction by James L Murtagh for €375,000. The same auctioneer had a fine sale of 145.5ac at Kilooley Hall, Tullamore. It sold after auction for a price understood to be approximately €1.9m or just over €13,000/ac.

GVM Tullamore sold a number of 20ac to 40ac holdings by private treaty at prices of €16,000/ac to €18,000/ac. Its biggest sale, meanwhile, was the 91.6ac Castle Lawn at Ballinamere which made €1m or €10,917/ac.

Francis Kearney Auctioneers sold a number of parcels by private treaty between €9,000/ac and €11,000/ac. Tom McDonald & Associates got up to €15,900/ac for land parcels sold by private treaty.

Good working land in Co Offaly is now making €11,000/ac to €13,000/ac but the very choicest properties, if well located, are approaching €20,000/ac. Active buyers include part-time farmers, business owners with money to invest as well as dairy farmers.

Vital statistics

Average*: €13,229/ac

% change on 2023: +28%

Acres offered: 2,589

Total number of farms: 66

Price range: €5,224/ac to €37,500/ac

Most active buyers: Business

Weighted average: €12,126

*Number of transactions: 20