Two small parcels of Co Laois land met keen interest when brought to auction by Hennessy Auctioneers.

First up was 17.4ac at Capoley, Portlaoise. Seven individuals registered to bid on this holding. Bidding opened at €170,000 and was brought to €380,000 by six competing bidders. The land was declared on the market and further bids invited.

Four bidders then competed and the land was knocked down at €435,000, equal to €25,000/ac, to a local farmer.

“This premium reflected the quality of the land sold but also its location close to Portlaoise town,” auctioneer John Hennessy said.

The second holding was 12.6ac at Cashel, Ballyroan, put up by the same owner, which was guided at €180,000. Four individuals registered to bid on this land. It opened at €100,000 and three bidders competed, bringing the price to €180,000, at which point the property was put on the market.

Two of the bidders then fought it out until the hammer fell at €184,000, equal to €14,600/ac. The buyer was a local farmer.

The average price across the 30ac was almost €21,000/ac.