It’s not an easy time for any Donegal farmer looking to expand. The supply of farmland put on the market last year in the county fell sharply to 576ac, down from 1,121ac the year before.

The number of farms and holdings put up for sale and included in our calculations was 18, down from 25. The number of properties that sold was 15, down from 21.

Obeying the laws of supply and demand, average selling price rose by 12% to €10,745/ac, up from €9,589/ac the year before.

The number of holdings under 40ac was 12 and these averaged €10,082/ac at sale. The number of properties over 40ac was six and – interestingly – these made higher prices on sale, averaging €12,569. There are never many opportunities to buy a large block of land in Donegal.

Half of the farms sold were bought by the business category of buyer – farmers with significant off-farm income and business owners. The other half of sales went to full-time farmers, led by sheep farmers with dairy, beef and mixed enterprise farmers following.

A number of substantial properties were put on the market in the county last year. For example, Mark McConnell Auctioneers had 70ac outside Lifford. Savills sold a 60ac property at Breasty Bay, Lifford. Sean Furey Estate Agents handled an 80ac holding outside Buncrana.

Various other holdings were offered for sale in the county but were excluded from our figures because they were too small or zoned for development, etc.

Average: €10,745/ac

% change on 2021: 12

Acres offered: 576

Total number of farms: 18

Price range: €4,211/ac to €18,750/ac

Most active buyers: business

Weighted average: €11,880/ac

Number of transactions: 15