Land prices in Co Waterford have bobbed up and down for the past few years. However, this year the average price has jumped by a huge 47% to €16,572/ac.

One reason for this was low supply of farmland for sale during 2023. And at the best of times, Waterford is one of the counties where there is low turnover of land.

Our survey examined just 1,287ac offered for sale on 24 holdings. Both figures were well down on the previous year.

We based our calculations on just 12 properties that had sold by year end – this figure was also down on 2022.

Quality land

It was noticeable that the list of properties that sold had few parcels of marginal land. Most holdings were of good quality and sold at strong prices. As a result, parcels under 40ac averaged €17,104/ac on sale, while the larger holdings averaged €15,520/ac.

Dairy farmers were the most active buyers of land in 2023, but tillage farmers and investors purchased too. There were a number of public auctions. Brian Gleeson Auctioneers sold a 53ac holding at Lismore for €1.22m or €23,018/ac. REA Spratt sold 32ac at Gliddane, Dungarvan for €650,000 or €20,312/ac.

Noel Mackey & Son brought one of the biggest farms of the year to market: a 230ac farm at Old Parish. It was sold by private treaty for a good price. Harty Auctioneers sold c24ac at Ballyduff by private treaty for close to €22,000/ac.