Prime holding has €3m price guide

THIS prime 150-acre farm at Curraheen, Conna, Co Cork, last sold in 2002, and made £1.47 million in punts at the time — the equivalent of €1.87, but a lot more if indexed for inflation in the meantime.

And that’s why, despite the downturn, auctioneer Christy Buckley is guide pricing at €20,000 per acre for Castle Farm, putting a total asking price of €3 million for the substantial Bride valley holding. It’s ironic that this farm is back on the market as rumours abound of Dunnes Stores being gobbled up by bigger retail chains.

It was originally sold by the Barry brothers of Carrigmore Meats because of the pressure of supermarket buying policies on their business. Now supermarkets in turn are feeling the pressure of stronger foreign competition.