By Paul McConnell

The average price of agricultural land in Ireland’s border regions is the lowest in the country.

This is according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office for 2024. The mean price per acre of agricultural land in the border counties was €5,857, representing the lowest across Ireland. The highest mean price of agricultural land per acre was in Dublin, where land sold at €30,524.

Nationally, the value of tillage land was almost double that of grassland. The average price paid for tillage land in Ireland in 2024 was €17,898 per acre, compared to €9,623 for grassland. Tillage land accounts for only around 7% of farmland in Ireland, mostly based in Dublin and around Leinster.

In total, 9,791 acres of land was sold in the border counties, at a total value of €57,347,731. In total, there were 57,213 acres sold in 2024, totalling over €550m. Although the overall value of land sales was slightly lower than the €554 million recorded in 2023, the average price per acre increased, suggesting continued demand despite fewer transactions.

The value of land in the border region increased by around 5% from 2023.

These figures do not include sales data for land bought for non-agricultural purposes, land sold with an attached dwelling, or commonage.

The border region’s lower prices may reflect its predominantly grassland-based agriculture and distance from major markets. Meanwhile Dublin’s limited supply and development pressure continue to drive values upward.