Lots of land, ground and sites were sold in Co Dublin last year – but very little was sold or bought with farming in mind.

There are still farms to the south and south-west of the capital, most of them drystock enterprises in the Dublin hills.

To the north of the city is the belt of excellent land with a long tradition of intensive tillage and vegetable growing. However, little of this land comes up for sale.

When it does, as well as the Dublin farmers, there are a hundered and one potential buyers including business people, investors and development companies interested in buying it. Competition is keen and prices are high.

Average price

Last year we tracked just 161ac, with an agricultural or horticultural dimension offered for sale, in six holdings.

Three sold by year end and the average price was approximately €38,000/ac. All properties were under 40ac, and all were offered by private treaty.

Sherry FitzGerald Cumisky Kelly had a number of land holdings on the north side of Dublin for sale. The firm sold 39.8ac at The Leas, Swords and 32.5ac at Forest Little, Swords, both by private treaty.