Ballykilleen Farm, a 268-acre residential farm situated in Edenderry, Co Offaly, was offered for public auction last Thursday in Johnstown House Hotel, Enfield. While the property failed to sell at auction, it subsequently sold privately to a farming family living about 30 miles away. The property had been guided at €1.8m to €2m prior to auction.

Before a crowd of 30 people, selling agent Paul Murtagh, Murtagh Bros, Mullingar, put up the first lot comprising the entire property. An opening bid of €1.5m was made, which was soon followed up with a second bid of €1.6m.

Receiving no further offers on the entire, Paul Murtagh moved onto the second and third lots which comprised circa 27-acres and circa 54-acres respectively, both of which received no bids. Lot four, comprising the residence and yard on circa 186-acres, was then offered and it opened at €1.2m.

With two bidders in contention, this steadily progressed to €1.35m and moved no further.

Following this, the auctioneer went around the room for the final time offering each of the lots again. An improved bid of €1.65m was made on the entire property and the 27 acres was bid to €120,000. An offer of €200,000 was placed on the 54 acres and the house and yard on 186 acres peaked at €1.37m.

Falling short of the €2m guide price, Paul Murtagh subsequently withdrew all the lots and announced it was the owner’s preference to deal with the highest bidder.

It’s understood that a successful deal was reached in recent days with the highest bidder – a farming family living about 30 miles away. The farm sold in its entirety for an undisclosed figure, but it is believed to be substantially higher than €1.65m. Ballykilleen Farm is one of three 200-acre holdings that were brought to the market in Co Offaly over the past two months.

Offering scale, privacy and oodles of character, the property came with a two-storey residence, an extensive range of slatted and traditional farm buildings that are suitable to accommodate up to 250 cattle, 24 acres of forestry and 240 acres of farmland.

Bought by the present owners over 30 years ago, the farm was home to a mixed tillage, suckler and sheep enterprise before being let out for the past decade or so.

Extremely well maintained by the owners, a lot of time and money has been invested into Ballykilleen over the years to include the construction of a farm roadway, the planting of hedgerows, the laying of piped water and extensive fencing. CL

Overseas buyer secures Blackditch House

Standing on 204 acres, Blackditch House sold in a private deal for a figure in the region of €3.7 million, writes Shirley Busteed.

It’s understood that Blackditch House and Farm, Newcastle, has been sold. Standing on 204.7 acres, the property was brought to the market last October and was the biggest holding to arrive on the open market in Co Wicklow last year. Over the past number of months, Blackditch generated enquiries from both domestic and overseas parties, but in the latter stages it really came down to three serious bidders. It’s understood that a deal was concluded in recent months and the sale actually closed last week.

The property was guided at €3.7m during the course of the selling campaign and although undisclosed, it’s believed the property made in the region of the guide price. The buyer is thought to be an overseas customer, while the two underbidders were both farmers from Co Wicklow. It’s suggested that there were a number of other farmers and Dublin-based business people actively bidding up to the €3m mark.

Situated on the edge of Newcastle, Blackditch House came to the market with a four-bedroom Georgian residence, a groom’s apartment, a refurbished courtyard that features a range of stone coach houses and an extensive farmyard. Set out in one big 204-acre block, the land is in grass and tillage and features 4.7 acres of natural habitat that is situated between the railway line and the shore. A further 16.2 acres is zoned for development under the Wicklow County Council Newcastle Town Plan 2010 to 2016. It’s extremely rare that a farm of this calibre and size actually arrives on the market in the Newcastle area of Co Wicklow. Apparently, there are a number of disappointed underbidders who are eager to acquire a farm of similar size and quality. Ganly Walters, Dublin, handled the sale. CL