County Kildare-based farmers are nearly the very best off in the country

The value of farmland in County Kildare continues to rise - with some parcels selling for €20,000 an acre.

The average price of an acre in 2023 was €17,592 - an increase of more than 5.5% or €941 over the previous year.

This means farming land in the county is the most expensive in Ireland - apart from Dublin where an acre will set you back€38,023.

Carlow (€17,109 per acre) is the next most expensive. Louth followed in at €16,799.

At the other end of the scale the lowest prices were in Mayo €6,284, Leitrim €6,879, Sligo €8,329 and Roscommon €8,519.

According to the Irish Farmers Journal Agricultural Land Price Report, the average price for an acre was €11,295 or 2.9% less than the previous year.

Overall, land sales fell and the total acreage sold last year was 4,562 acres less than in 2022.

Most of the land that went under the hammer is in Mayo followed by Kerry, Cork, Galway and Westmeath, with Kildare occupying a mid-table position.

Most counties saw the value of land rise  but the exceptions were Mayo, Monaghan, Sligo, Roscommon, Offaly, Donegal, Wicklow, Kerry and Meath.

According to the report the market in Kildare was firm and supply was tight.

“Prices have been on an upward trend in Kildare for several years (and) this tends to be highest in the north and centre of the county.”

The report commented that good land close to towns like Maynooth, Naas or Newbridge “can comfortably make €20,000 an acre.”

It added: “Strong prices are also being paid at hotspots such as The Curragh and for the excellent quality land around Athy.”