It was a quieter year for land sales in Co Laois.
Supply was up a little, but prices were down. The average price was €15,360/ac, a drop of €1,544/ac, or 9%.
It reflects the run of holdings put up for sale, rather than any change in farming practice or general demand for land in the county.
The price of land in Laois has been on a general upwards path for the past decade.
For our survey we looked at 46 farms, up from 39 the previous years. We did our calculations on 30 farms that had sold by year end. Prices ranged from a minimum of €4,665/ac to a maximum of €26,650/ac.
Notable sale
Among the notable sales, Hennessy Auctioneers sold a 95ac non-residential holding at Drumashellig, Ballyroan, in the autumn. The property was offered in lots, but the main interest was in the entire holding. It sold for €2.08m, or €21,895/ac.
The same auctioneers sold a number of small parcels, of 10ac and under, for prices over €40,000/ac. We excluded these from our average price calculations.
Joe Coogan Auctioneers sold 18.5ac at Doonane, Crettyard, Co Laois, after auction for just over €15,000/ac. This ground was described as ideally suited for summer grazing and for hay and silage.
Property Partners Mansfield sold a range of holdings, including a 38ac grass holding near Rathdowney which fetched €500,000 at auction.
Matt Dunne Auctioneer auctioned 42.5ac with a derelict cottage at Tinnakill, Camross, on the side of the River Nore. Nine bidders pursued the lots, but the real interest was in the entire, and it sold for €400,000.
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