Ardee Farm Smashes Guide Price with €360k Auction Sale
A parcel of farmland outside Ardee has sold for significantly more than its guide price following a competitive auction that drew strong interest from buyers.
Auctioneer Paddy Watters recently oversaw the sale of a 14.5-acre farm at Tullykeel, near Ardee in County Louth, which ultimately sold for €360,000, far exceeding the original guide price of €220,000.
The impressive result highlights the continuing demand for quality agricultural land in the Ardee area, where farms and development land have become increasingly sought after in recent years.
Strong interest before the auction
According to Mr Watters, interest in the property was evident long before the auction day arrived. A number of viewings were arranged in advance, attracting farmers, investors and local buyers keen to secure land in the area.
He explained that the strong turnout suggested that the farm would generate competitive bidding once the auction began.
Prior to the sale, Mr Watters believed that at least five potential buyers were seriously considering placing bids.
Competitive bidding pushes price higher
When the auction got underway, the bidding opened at €100,000, quickly drawing attention from interested buyers in the auction room.
“I opened the Tullykeel farm at €100,000 and there were three bidders in the auction room who took it in turn to put up the bids,” Mr Watters explained.
The competition intensified as the price continued to rise, with the bidders refusing to back down as the value climbed well past the guide price.
“They battled it out until we reached €340,000,” he said.
The final hammer price ultimately reached €360,000, delivering a result that far exceeded expectations and underlining the strong appetite for farmland in the region.
Demand for land remains strong in Ardee
The sale reflects a wider trend across County Louth, where agricultural land close to towns such as Ardee continues to command strong prices due to limited supply and growing demand.
Land in the area is attractive to both established farmers seeking to expand their holdings and buyers looking for long-term investments.
Properties within easy reach of Ardee also benefit from good road links and a strong farming tradition across the surrounding countryside.
With interest in farmland remaining high, the sale of the Tullykeel property is likely to reinforce confidence in the local land market and may encourage other landowners in the area to consider bringing property to the market in the coming months.
