One of the most highly anticipated public auctions in recent years in Westmeath, certainly lived up to its billing last Thursday, when Claremount House sold under the hammer for €3.5m. Claremount, an old-world gem extending to a sprawling 382 acres and situated in Miltownpass, Co Westmeath, had been the talk of the county in recent weeks, with much speculation over who was going to purchase the unique estate.

The interest certainly manifested itself on the day as over 60 onlookers packed into the Greville Arms Hotel in Mullingar to see the action. An opening bid of €1.5m got the auction up and running, and offers continued to rise steadily in increments of €100,000, with three active bidders for the farm. Progress appeared to halt when bidding reached €2.4m and auctioneer Paul Murtagh called a break while he retired to speak with the vendors.

On returning, he said the bidders would have to do a bit better and offers resumed once again. Two new bidders entered the fray at this point as the offers continued to rise, surpassing the guide of €3m.

Eventually, it boiled down to two final bidders and when Paul Murtagh placed the farm on the market after an offer of €3.3m, there was great excitement in the room.

At this point, the bids were rising in increments of €50,000 at a time, but it took just four more offers before Murtagh brought the hammer down at €3.5m, or a little over €9,160/acre, with Claremount House sold to a solicitor in trust.

Bidders

The bidders on the day were varied with interest from Northern Ireland, Scotland and the equine industry. While the buyer was not disclosed, Irish Country Living understands that Claremount was bought by a well-known local man with strong equine interests.

And while the underbidder was described as a “trophy hunter”, it is believed they are a member of a well-known Irish family that have bought up a large amount of property in Ireland in recent years.