Land sales flying in the midlands

LAOIS auctioneer Matt Dunne had a great two days in the auction room this week where he sold a total of three properties under the hammer. A 39ac residential farm at Ballymorris, Portarlington made €552,000, a 39ac residential farm with a thatched cottage at Killellery, Geashill sold in lots making a total of €335,000 while a 73ac farm at Clonbullogue made €365,000.

First to sell was a 39ac residential farm in a variety of dispersed lots at Ballymorris, Portarlington. The land forms the estate of the late Tommy McDonnell.

The residential part of the holding includes a four-bedroom bungalow in need of attention and modernisation along with a garage on 1.5ac. This opened at €120,000 and was bid to €180,000.

A 4.8ac grass field with extensive road frontage adjoining the first lot opened at €20,000 and was bid to €30,000, while a similar lot of 4.23ac with road frontage and lane frontage opened at €25,000 and was bid to €57,000.

A 3.3ac field known as Kearney’s Lough, with extensive road frontage, was bid to €40,000.

The original farmyard on 12.2ac opened at €100,000 and was bid to €120,000 while 5.5ac on the Canal Road opened at €50,000 and was bid to €81,000. The final two lots were then added together and were bid to €243,000. This made a total of €550,000

When the entire went to auction it drew the attention of three bidders and sold for €552,000 to a local farmer.

GEASHILL COTTAGE

On the following day, Mr Dunne brought another 39ac residential farm with a thatched residence to auction. Located at Killellery, Geashill, Co Offaly, 13km from Tullamore, the property sold in lots and made a total made €335,000.

The cottage is in turn-key condition having been fully renovated by its current owner, a renowned tradesman. The cottage, outbuildings and 4ac opened at €100,000 and with two bidders showing cause it sold at €110,000

A 13ac parcel of grazing ground was sold to a Mountmellick buyer for €95,000.

The third lot, a 22ac parcel of grazing located on Killellery Lane, opened at €100,000 and sold at €130,000 to a local farmer.

OFFALY AUCTION

Mr Dunne’s final auction involved 73ac and a semi-derelict residence at Clonavoe, Clobullogue, Co Offaly. A 64.3ac piece is located close to the Irish Parachute Club, approximately 4km outside Clonbullogue Village. An 8.7ac field adjacent to the main farm was also for sale.

On the day, the 8.7ac was bid to €55,000 and the 64.3ac was bid to €300,000.

The entire was then offered and attracted two local bidders who drove the price to €365,000, where it sold under the hammer making €5,000/ac.