Fewer farms and acres were sold last year in Offaly but average price increased significantly. Sixteen farms were put up for sale in the county, close to the 18 of the previous year. The total area involved was 1,569ac, down from 1,966ac.

Despite the drop in supply, there was still plenty of variety. The holdings on offer ranged in size from 10ac – our cut-off minimum – up to a 345ac dairy farm.

The latter was Bellair Estate at Ballycumber, complete with beautiful historic house and modern dairy operation for 350 cows. At year end it was still on the market from Savills with an asking price of €5m.

Meanwhile, 11 of the 16 farms on offer were sold by year-end. Average price for these farms was €11,405/ac, up from €9,894/ac in 2020. Size made a difference. Half of the holdings were under 40ac and they averaged €13,788/ac.

The farms over 40ac averaged €7,235. Only four farms were residential. Five of the farms were offered by auction, one by tender and the balance by private treaty.

The highest price made was €19,308/ac, paid for a small holding outside Birr. The lowest price was €5,130/ac for a holding – sold by private treaty – out on the Athlone side of Tullamore.

Among the notable sales, GVM Tullamore got an average of €8,480/ac for a 148ac holding at Killeigh, Geashill sold at auction, in lots. The same auctioneer got €17,905/ac for a 14.8ac holding at Blueball sold at auction.

Drystock cattle farmers have been the most active land buyers in Offaly in recent years. However, in 2021, they were pushed all the way by business buyers, each taking 45% of the holdings. The business category includes investors, business owners and farmers with off-farm income. This left dairy farmers buying the remaining 9% of holdings sold in the county last year.