A CO Wicklow farmer yesterday paid €13.5 million for a 450-acre farm at Drumree, near Dunshaughlin, Co Meath. It is one of the largest sales of agricultural land this year.

Warrenstown Farm originally formed part of Warrenstown Agricultural College, which closed in 2001. It was run by the Salesian order, which still operates a horticultural college in Drumree, Co Meath. The order has retained Warrenstown House, a large period house, and college buildings, along with 70 acres of land.

The land was first offered for sale at auction yesterday in four different lots and attracted a combined price of €7,675,000.

Auctioneer Thomas Potterton of TE Potterton Real Estate Alliance then sought an offer of €8 million for the entire property and, when a north Dublin farmer obliged, a solicitor and an accountant joined in the bidding on behalf of their clients.

The farm was declared on the market at €13 million, and one further bid of €13.5 million clinched the deal.