The ornate library at Hill House, Cashel, Co Tipperary, provided a fitting setting for an auction on Wednesday, 30 September, where the hammer fell on a 41ac parcel of Cashel land at just under €31,000/ac.

Bidding was slow to get underway on the farm, which was initially offered in individual lots by auctioneer Ray Hunt.

Lot 1, an 18ac parcel, held at €360,000, while lot 2, the adjoining 23ac plot with well-equipped yard, held at €440,000.

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“Now, what you’re all after – the entire,” said the auctioneer, opening bidding on the combined holding at €700,000.

Several bidders competed fiercely, driving the price to €800,000, where the field narrowed to three serious contenders.

Bidding continued in quick-fire succession, eventually reaching €990,000.

“Will you fill the gap?,” Ray asked the bidder at the back, who duly obliged.

Prime land

“€1m and we’re off now. Prime land and prime location.”

As the bidding reached €1.16m, the pace slowed slightly, with the field narrowing to just two parties going head-to-head.

“Will you fill the gap for me?” the auctioneer asked the bidder at the front, suggesting he make a jump in his bid in an effort to unsettle his rival. “It might shake him off.”

“He’s not that easily shook,” the bidder replied, laughing.

The exchange continued between the two bidders, with the price reaching €1.27m in favour of the bidder at the back, at which point his rival conceded. Following a brief consultation with the vendor, the farm was knocked down to a round of applause.

A large crowd gathered for the auction, including many local supporters and bidders from both the surrounding area and further afield.

The €1.27m sale equates to just under €31,000/ac, 99% above the county average, according to the Irish Farmers Journal Land Report.