Three of the biggest properties in the country have contributed to Mayo experiencing a major supply surge in 2017. Some 1,787 acres at Ballycroy, 750 acres at Geesala and 455 acres in Westport contributed heavily to the total of 5,176 acres coming to the market in Mayo last year.

Even though the supply of land jumped 61% in the county over the previous 12 months, it had minimal effect on price. Mayo’s land average rose by 5%, increasing from €5,701/ac in 2016, to €5,995/ac in 2017.

Thirty-six properties successfully sold in Mayo last year, with prices ranging from €1,630/ac to almost €22,000/ac.

There was little question about the highlight sale of the year, as the very impressive and iconic Westport House on 455 acres sold by private treaty to local businesspeople for a sum believed to be close to €10m.

Other sales in the county this year included a 16ac residential property near Swinford, which sold for a surprising €212,000, or €13,250/acre; a 50ac parcel near Crossmolina sold under the hammer for €257,500, or €5,150/ac; and a 21ac parcel near Ballyheane sold for €77,000, or €3,667/ac. The auction room had mixed fortunes in Mayo last year, with a success rate of less than 45% under the hammer. Two additional properties that were withdrawn from auction were sold after. Private treaty sales made up the majority of the sales (73%) in 2017.

With the physical size of the county and varying land types, there was a wide range of prices seen around the county this year.

Interestingly, 11 of the 36 sales in Mayo were sold for €4,000/ac or below, with 15 properties sold for €5,000/ac or below.

Forestry is also prominent in the county, with auctioneers attributing a number of sales to this enterprise.

Vital statistics

*Average: €5,995/acre

Land offered: 5,176 acres

Price range/acre: €1,636 to €21,978

No of farms offered: 64

Biggest farm offered: 1,787 acres

Weighted average: €10,437/acre

*Based on 36 transactions

Exclusive: €313m of farmland sold in 2017