Jordan Auctioneers sold 55ac in Co Laois after auction last week.

The property was at Fossy Upper, Timahoe.

There was an attendance of 10 people and bidding opened at €275,000. It was then taken to €455,000 by two bidders, equal to €8,272/ac.

At this point the property was withdrawn but it was sold soon afterwards to an undisclosed purchaser believed to be from the general locality. The sale price was not disclosed. The guide price was €350,000.

The property is 1km from the village of Timahoe and in one block with over 1.5km frontage on two roads.

Afterwards auctioneer Clive Kavanagh of Jordan Auctioneers said that all parties were pleased with the outcome which reflected the strength of the current land market.

Wexford farm

In Co Wexford, 24 bidders vied for 25.5ac and a derelict house at Moor, Killena, south of Gorey and the holding eventually made €20,500/ac, in lots. The auction was conducted by Quinn Property.

Bidding for the entire was particularly rapid. It opened at €170,000 and was bid on by another nine different bidders, in bids of €10,000, to €260,000. “It was the first time I ever saw bidding like that,” auctioneer David Quinn said afterwards.

The 23.88ac of land made €395,000 and the 1.8ac with house made €130,000. The total was €525,000 equal to €20,500/ac. The guide price had been €300,000.

The land was bought by a beef farmer with business interests while the house on 1.8ac was bought by a local young drystock farmer. The high prices made reflect the particular interest at present for small holdings with any kind of a residence.