Two blocks of farmland in the midlands were for sale at auction by Hennessy Auctioneers recently, one going above the guide price.

The first was 40ac at Rosenallis, Co Laois. The property included 33ac of grassland and 7ac of forestry and was guided at €475,000 before the auction. Four bidders registered to participate in the auction. The land opened at €250,000 and all four bidders competed. It went on the market at €475,000. Two remaining bidders then competed until the hammer fell at €505,000 (€12,625/ac) to a local farmer. This was €30,000 above the guide price.

The second property was 67ac at Killeen, Kildangan, Co Kildare. It was offered for sale by online auction in three lots.

Lot 1 was 6ac of arable land and it sold at €108,000 (€18,000/ac). Lot 2 was 9ac of arable land and it sold for €202,000 (€22,444/ac).

Lot 3 was 52ac of old pasture land in need of drainage and reclamation, guided at €350,000.

It was bid to €270,000 but not sold and it is currently for sale by private treaty.