Tipperary sale sets record

SYNONE House near Cashel in Co Tipperary shook up the farm sales market with a record-breaking result in the last quarter of 2003.

It could be seen as a triumph for the small man if a farmer buyer with a war chest of 10 million could be said to be the underdog.

He was Co Cork farmer Willie Ahern, beating off competition from the bloodstock industry at the auction to take the prize of a 380 acre farm and its period residence.