Wexford Farm Sells for €25,000/ac at Auction: A Look at the Bidding War and Winning Price

The Irish farm auction scene is heating up after the summer break, with a recent sale in County Wexford demonstrating the strong demand for agricultural land and traditional farmhouses. Quinn Property successfully auctioned a 36-acre residential farm at Ballinakill, Courtown, Co Wexford, for approximately €25,000/ac, in lots, in an online auction.

The farm was comprised of a traditional stone farmhouse, an extensive range of farm sheds, and land with frontage on two public roads. This combination of features made it attractive to a diverse group of potential buyers.

The Bidding Process and Key Participants

The farmhouse, situated on 0.76 acres, was initially guided at €180,000. The bidding opened at €160,000 and quickly escalated to €250,000. Three determined bidders fueled this price climb, demonstrating the high level of interest in the property. This competitive environment led to a brief pause in the auction to allow the vendor to consider the bids.

The farmhouse was ultimately declared on the market and sold for €250,000. The land was divided into two lots. Lot 2, which encompassed approximately 12.5 acres, was guided at €10,000/ac to €12,000/ac. This lot also attracted strong competition, with three bidders vying for ownership. While the final sale price was not disclosed, it is known that the successful buyer was a UK-based couple.

Strong Demand for Land Drives Competition

Lot 3, the remaining portion of the farm, consisted of roughly 22.9 acres and had a guide price of €10,000/ac to €12,000/ac. The bidding was particularly active in this lot, with five participants initially competing. Three bidders pushed the price to the end, ultimately securing a sale price of €430,000. This represents an average price of approximately €18,000/ac. The successful buyer for this lot was a local Co Wexford farmer, highlighting the continued strong demand for agricultural land within the county.

The Appeal of a Traditional Farmhouse

The traditional stone farmhouse itself was a significant draw for buyers. While the farmhouse was a point of interest for local farmers, it also attracted interest from a variety of potential buyers seeking a different kind of property. Jack Quinn of Quinn Property noted that several individuals were interested in the farmhouse for potential holiday letting opportunities, reflecting the growing demand for rural tourism in Ireland.

Concluding Thoughts

This auction clearly demonstrates the ongoing strength of the Irish rural property market. The combination of a desirable location, traditional farmhouse, and high-quality farmland created a competitive environment that resulted in a successful sale. This trend is expected to continue, particularly given the increasing interest in the Irish countryside for both residential and agricultural purposes.