The land market was generally stable in Co Donegal last year with the average price down 1% to €10,635/ac, a drop of €100/ac on 2022.

Most counties have a range of land types and quality, none more so Donegal.

The prices paid for land in the county varies from €1,000/ac for blocks of rough grazing land right up to €12,000/ac to €15,000/ac for the best land in the east.

Scenic settings

Small holdings in scenic settings with a nice house can fetch €30,000/ac and €40,000/ac, but they are not being bought to be farmed.

Our survey examined 42 properties that were for sale, three quarters of them under 40ac. Our calculations were carried out on 29 properties that sold by year end.

Properties under 40ac averaged €11,627/ac on sale; those over 40ac averaged €9,230/ac.

There were a number of notable sales. Alexander Gourley brought a 230ac residential farm near Ramelton to the market and it sold for a solid price, by private treaty.

The same auctioneer sold 237ac of heather land at Glencolumbkille in lots, achieving an average €2,000/ac across the entire.

Savills handled two fine residential properties: 20ac at Creeslough and 55ac in a spectacular setting at Breasty Bay, Malin Head. Both made big money, selling by private treaty.