Earlier this month, a small cottage set on 24 acres of land, situated in Cremorgan, Timahoe, Co Laois, was sold in two lots for a total of €397,500 (€16,562/acre). The first lot, which comprised a cottage and circa five acres, sold for €145,000. The second lot, comprised of 19 acres, was sold for €252,500 (€13,290/acre).

Selling agent Matt Dunne, of Matt Dunne and Associates, Portarlington, said it was an excellent auction, with the selling price having far surpassed the reserve of €240,000.

The two buyers were local men, however they faced stiff competition from a man from Carlow who was seeking to buy the property in its entirety.

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The Carlow man had bid up to €300,000, before the two lots were offered for a final time.

A young man from the locality secured the cottage and five acres with his offer of €145,000. Having missed the first lot, the Carlow native turned his attention to the final lot of 19 acres. Standing in his way of securing the land was a local farmer who had rented the land for the last 25 years, as it adjoins his own farm.

Both men battled it out for the land, before the local farmer eventually won, securing the land with a bid of €252,500.

The cottage, which was constructed in the 1950s, comprises five rooms, including a 800 square feet bathroom, and is ideal for extension and refurbishment.

The land has extensive road frontage, it’s divided into three fields and is situated to the rear of the residence. There are two agricultural entrances from the main road.

Equestrian centre sold in Co Laois

Matt Dunne also handled the sale of a residential property which came with a fully-fitted equestrian centre situated in Treascan, Portarlington, Co Laois.

Matt Dunne described the property as a “tremendous buy for the right person” as it came with a refurbished three-bedroom bungalow and an 11,000 square feet indoor equestrian arena, a horse walker and 14 loose boxes on one acre.

On the day, two interested parties battled it out for the property. In the end, the property was sold to a young man from the Curragh for €142,500, surpassing the guide price of €140,000.

Last Tuesday, Matt Dunne also sold a 72-acre farm situated in Pallas Little, Portlaoise, Co Laois, for €600,000 or €8,400/acre. The farm is described as being of a “mixed nature” with some good land and some that needs reclamation.

However, the major selling point for the farm is its extensive road frontage and close proximity to the town of Portlaoise.

There is an old derelict residence on the land, as well as a four-span hay shed. The farm was guided at €520,000, but after some brisk bidding the property was put on the market at €550,000, before eventually selling for €600,000. The buyer was a local county councillor.