Dairy farm near Newcastle West, Limerick, fetches over €4m at auction

“It’s a top-class dairy farm that’s been nurtured and developed over many years,” said selling agent Tom Crosse in advance of the sale.

With an entrance along a sweeping sylvian driveway, the dwelling dates from the 1870s, well-maintained and with a courtyard and cut-stone stores and sheds. The range of outbuildings also includes a 16-unit herringbone milking parlour, large open sheds, silage apron and cattle crush.

With a pre-auction guide of €3m (€15,800/acre), the property was presented in four lots on the day. As it turned out, it was the strong bidding on the first lot that ensured it was going to sell in individual lots.

• Lot 1 (97 acres with house and outbuildings) sold for €2,825,000, or €29,000/acre;
• Lot 2 (27.5 acres) fetched €500,000 (€18,000/acre);
• Lot 3: (52 acres with 6 acres of forestry) went for €600,000 (€11,500/acre);
• Lot 4: (12 acres close to the village of Kilcolman) sold for €225,000 (€18,750/acre).

With an overall price of €4.15m achieved, Mr Crosse said this sale once again underpinned strong value for good quality land. No fewer than 15 clients had pre-registered for the auction.