Record prices were achieved for Galway city properties in a packed auction room with more than 500 people in attendance. The Harbour Hotel on New Dock Road was full to capacity on Thursday morning for O’Donnellan & Joyce’s third auction of the year. There were 65 lots for sale on the day including properties in Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick, Roscommon, Longford, Kerry, Laois, Cork, and Offaly.
Such is the national interest currently in O’Donnellan & Joyce’s auctions that RTÉ's film crew were present again. Another season of the popular documentary Find Me a Home is scheduled for the autumn season. The programme is a nationwide observational documentary series following the trials and tribulations of those trying to buy, rent, or sell a home in the current property market. They have been filming with O’Donnellan & Joyce clients who are buying and selling properties and give an insight into the exciting business that is the auction process.
After the auction, Colm O’Donnellan said that demand for established locations such as Salthill is unprecedented, with a large number of people looking for family homes in central locations. In addition, investors were out in force from all corners of Ireland, looking to acquire Galway city apartments and investments. Headline sales included the following:
Lot 1: No 9 Canal Road Lower, Galway
The highlight of the auction was the end of terrace four bed townhouse at No 9 Canal Road Lower. Overlooking the canal and close to NUIG and UHG, this perfectly located property had bidding opening at €350,000. After 32 exhaustive bids between phone bidders and buyers in the room, the hammer dropped at €500,000 to tumultuous applause.
Lot 2: No 7 Gleann Noinin, College Road, Galway
Next up on the auction block was a two bed duplex townhouse with ground floor entrance, 1.5 km from Eyre Square and close to Mervue Business Park. A gilt edge investment property for a very shrewd investor, bidding opened at €175,000 and after 15 bids it sold at €228,000 to a very happy purchaser.
Lot 3: No 32 D'Alton Drive, Salthill, Galway
This lovely four bed semidetached home had an AMV of €475,000. Located in one of the most attractive areas for property and only a short stroll to Pearse Stadium, the bidding opened at €460,000 and after 21 intensive bids from in-house bidders and a few phone bidders, the property sold for €575,000. That is €100,000 above the asking price.
Lot 4: No 69 St Brendan’s Avenue, Woodquay, Galway
This two bed mid-terrace city centre house with private rear yard came to the market with an AMV of €165,000. In good condition, the property would benefit from modernisation. That did not stop bidders from chasing this property with bidding starting at €150,000 and going all the way up in €5,000 increments to the hammer falling at €205,000.
Lot 6: Dogwood, Caherbulligin, Craughwell, Co Galway
Fabulous original cottage extended and designed to make a superb contemporary home. Came to the market with an AMV of €270,000. Bidding started at €250,000 and was withdrawn at €265,000. The property was sold after auction for €267,000.
Lot 7: No 30 St James Crescent, Mervue, Galway
Three bed terraced house in Mervue in meticulous condition. Bidding opened at €170,000 and after 11 bids in amount of €5,000 the hammer fell at €220,000.
Lot 8: St Jude's, Taylor's Hill, Galway
Standing proud atop Taylor's Hill, around the corner from Threadneedle Road and just a leisurely stroll from the Prom, this fine property had bidding open at €435,000. It was all over and done with after four bids when the hammer dropped to a delighted woman at €450,000.
Lot 9: No 38 Woodfield, Cappagh Road, Knocknacarra, Galway
Woodfield is a mature residential address on the fringe of Knocknacarra. This three bed semidetached home had an AMV of €220,000. Bidding opened at €220,000 and rose in €5,000 and €2,000 increments to finally settle at €270,000. That is €50,000 over the AMV.
Lot 10: No 23 Crescent Court, Fr Griffin Road, Galway
Wonderful three bed duplex apartment located over the first and second floors. Within five minutes' walk of Galway city centre and Salthill Promenade. This property was withdrawn at auction but was sold afterwards for €220,000.
Lot 14: No 28 Tor Bui, Knocknacarra, Galway
Lovely three bed terraced house in a modern, well maintained, development, close to Coláiste na Coiribe, Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, Barna Woods, and sports facilities at Cappagh Park. Bidding opened at €225,000 and quickly closed at €240,000.
Lot 15: No 194 Gort na Coiribe, Headford Road, Galway
Superbly located two bed apartment. Located within walking distance of NUIG and Galway city centre. It sold for €210,000 after auction.
Lot 16: No 1 Beechmount, 164 Upper Salthill Road, Galway
Ground floor two bed apartment in the heart of Salthill, just off the 'Golden Mile'. Bidding opened at €180,000 and after 36 bids in small increments of €1,000 and €2,000 this lovely little property sold for €256,000.
Lot 18: Nos 29 and 29A Fucshia Drive, Renmore, Galway
Commercial investment opportunity. Two retail units of approximately 610sq ft each. Hairdressing salon is let on an ongoing basis. Former launderette is vacant. Sold after auction for €150,000.
Lot 20: An Tigin, Lettergunnet, Furbo, Co Galway
Enchanting, authentically restored, three bed traditional thatched cottage set on a half-acre site. Southwest facing front garden with clear uninterrupted views of Galway Bay and the Burren in County Clare. Very private, surrounded by mature trees and shrubs. Sold for €165,000 after auction.
Lot 24: Sites B, C, And D Bushfield, Oranmore, Co Galway
Three sites which were for sale individually or as a combination. Within 20 minutes' drive of Galway city centre and five minutes to Oranmore. Sites B and C are 0.74 acre each and Site D is 1.33 acres approximately. The sites sold to a single purchaser after auction for €70,000.
Lot 28: Rosshill Lodge, Roscam, Galway
Large detached eight bed home standing on one acre site with breathtaking views overlooking Galway Bay. Needs total refurbishment but this did not put off interested buyers as bidding opened at €300,000 and after 13 bids going up in €10,000 increments it finally sold for €420,000.
Lot 29: Springvale Heights, Tubbercurry, Sligo
Twelve four bed semidetached houses for sale in one lot and at various stages of completion. There was strong interest in this listing and after 14 bids, starting at €280,000, the hammer dropped at €415,000.
Lot 30: 1, 2, and 3 City Gate, Sligo
Three retail units at builder's finish and for sale in one lot. Bidding opened at €55,000 and closed after seven bids at €75,000.
Lot 34: No 10 Thomond Court, Ballymahon, Longford
Ground floor apartment only 500m from the village of Ballymahon. Bidding opened at €50,000 with phone bidders and bidders in the room chasing this little gem. It sold for €65,000.
Lot 35: Ballywalter, Hollymount, Mayo
Traditional style single storey cottage located approximately 10 minute drive from both Ballinrobe and Claremorris. Sold for the AMV of €35,000.
Lot 37: No 24 Riverdale, Oranmore, Co Galway
Modern two bed ground floor apartment located just off the Dublin Road and within walking distance of Oranmore village. This property also sold for its AMV of €120,000.
Lot 45: Keeraunbeg, Carraroe, Co Galway
Land of approximately 4.97 hectares (12.28 acres ) in two parcels on Folio GY107496F. Sold after auction for its AMV of €30,000.
Lot 47: Green Stores Apartments, Ballyhaunis Road, Claremorris, Mayo
Four apartments for sale in one lot to include three one-beds and one two-bed with an AMV of €120,000 and sold after nine bids for €145,000.
Lot 48: Foxhall, Rosscarbery, Cork
Derelict stone built farmhouse of approximately 800sq ft and within 8km of Rosscarbery and 10km east of Clonakilty. AMV was €25,000 and it sold for €33,000 after 11 bids.
Lot 49: Little Island, Owenahincha, Rosscarbery, Cork
Large commercial building which previously operated as a guest house with several self-contained units. Overlooking Owenahincha beach in West Cork, ideal for several uses. In need of total refurbishment. Sold after seven bids at €160,000.
Lot 50: Lough South, Doolin, Co Clare
Detached three bed dormer bungalow with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. Ideal holiday home only 4km from the lively village of Doolin and within close proximity of the Cliffs of Moher and Liscannor. Sold after auction for €215,000.
Lot 52: Lands at Clonbur Road, Ballinrobe, Mayo
Circa 1.5 acres of grasslands, Folio Number MY64349F. Located close to Ballinrobe town. Bidding opened at €17,000 and after 22 bids it sold for €60,000 with a number of phone and in-house bidders chasing it.
Lot 53: No 2 Cluain Ard, Kilmaley, Clare
Five bed detached two storey house on elevated corner site. Situated 12km from Ennis town. There was a bit of interest in this County Clare house with two bidders battling it out. The hammer fell at €153,000.
Lot 54: Unit 7A, Liosbaun Industrial Estate, Tuam Road, Galway
Ground floor commercial unit of approximately 1,800sq ft, divided into separate offices/therapy rooms. It was all over and done with in four bids at €140,000.
Lot 58: Portlaoise Road, Abbeyleix, Laois
Detached bungalow located on the Portlaoise Road in Abbeyleix which is approximately 14km from Portlaoise. There was a lot of interest in this property with bidders travelling from the midlands to buy it. Bidding opened at €135,000 and after 10 bids in small increments it sold to a very satisfied looking buyer at €158,000.
Lot 59: Erinagh Beg, Fountain Cross, Ennis, Clare
The second of the Clare properties for sale on the day. Lot 59 was a fine four bed detached property located in a cul-de-sac within five minutes' drive of Ennis town. Bidding opened at €65,000 with a lot of interested parties chasing it. Finally after 11 bids in €5,000 increments, the hammer fell at €115,000.
Lot 60: Land at Kishawanny, Edenderry, Offaly
Development land of approximately three acres. Located on the east side of Edenderry town on the R402. The M4 motorway at Enfield is 15 minutes' drive away. Sold for €40,000 after 11 bids up from the opening at €20,000.
Lot 62: Clareview, 37 Renmore Road, Galway
This three bed bungalow needing refurbishment sold at €265,000 after eight bids.
Lot 64: Seapoint, Barna, Co Galway
A commercial/residential investment opportunity. End of terrace ground floor unit of approximately 600sq ft, operating as a launderette, together with fourbed duplex apartment overhead. Sold within three bids of opening for €190,000.
Lot 65: Ardfry, Maree, Oranmore, Co Galway
The finale did not disappoint at this auction. Ardfry, described as a sizeable detached unfinished residence of approximately 6,000sq ft on an elevated site of over 5.5 acres with panoramic views, was the last property to be sold on the day. The AMV was €295,000 for this lot and bidding opened at €260,000. There was huge interest with phone bidders calling from abroad to be in with a chance to purchase this unusual property. After 17 bids the hammer dropped at €365,000.
O’Donnellan & Joyce’s next auction will take place on Friday July 21. If you are interested in selling a property in this auction, why not register your property by Friday June 16 and talk Colm O’Donnellan at O’Donnellan & Joyce, 5 Mary Street, Galway, on 091 564 212 or email [email protected].
