Local farmer snaps up Midlands house and farm €1.4 m

The sale of a midlands farm for €1.4m sale in Offaly has shown there milk prices are not hitting demand for land and that online auctions are proving popular.

That was the view of north Tipperary-based Eoin Dillon who has completed a hat-trick of sales recently. 

First off the mark 34 acres of lands on the shores of Lough Derg at Brookfield, Coolbawn. It comprised of 13.75 ha (34 acres) of lands adjoining Lough Derg. The lands were offered for sale by Online auction. 

Three bidders battled it out from €250,000 before the hammer fell some 51 bids later at €426,000. The purchaser was Borrisokane-based solicitor Michael Collins acting in trust for a client.

Next up was a residential farm at Lisduff, Kilcolman, Birr which comprised of a 3 bed residence on 40.55 ha (100 acres) which again was offered for sale by Online auction with the benefit of existing tenants until the end of 2026. The opening bid was €700,000 and 7 of the 10 fully registered online bidders battled it out before the hammer fell after a whopping 131 bids at €1,400,000 to a local farmer.

Last but not least was the sale of 17.96 hectares (44.4 acres) at Toomevara. This was offered for sale by way of a Hybrid auction combining live in room bids and online bids. The property opened at €420,000 and was bid to €540,000 after 13 online bids from 3 bidders before being withdrawn at €540,000.

Negotiation with the highest bidder followed with the property later being knocked down to the highest bidder also a local farmer at an undisclosed price.

Mr Dillon spoke after the auctions.

"It was evident that there was still very strong interest in farm lands despite recent interest rate rises and the reduced price of milk, with nitrates being the main driver for farmers looking to expand their land holding. It was also evident that online bidding is now being fully embraced by the public and particularly farmers as it provides a very efficient and transparent sales process,” he said.