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Cost of agricultural land set to increase by 8% this year

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3 years ago

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By Ted Healy of DNG TED HEALY

The results of a survey on agricultural land values conducted by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) was published earlier this week.

It predicts an increase in land values by an average of 8% this year and an increase of 14% on average in rental values.

The report titled, 'SCSI/Teagasc Agricultural Land Market Review & Outlook Report 2023', analyses the agri sector performance over the past year and projects how it will perform over the next 12 months.

In all 134 agri professionals and valuers were surveyed, who expect the outlook for dairy farmers to ease and a challenging future for sheep and tillage farming.

Rental Land values in Munster increased by an average of 13% in the last year with a 9% increase experienced in Leinster.

The report indicates that the average non-residential farmland prices in 2022 ranged from €5,564 per acre for poor quality land – up five percent from €5,308 in 2021 – to €11,172 per acre for good quality land – up two percent from €10,962 the previous year. Strong demand from dairy farmers for good quality land is driving the market.

The majority of those surveyed believe there is likely to be an increase in demand from dairy farmers to purchase farmland in 2023.

One point to note however, is that changes to the European Nitrates Directive, particularly measures aimed at protecting water quality, may have an impact on land prices, especially rental prices.

In order to maintain current levels of milk production – and to comply with the directive – many dairy farms will need to either increase their land area or reduce milk production.

The Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) is also coming down the line at an alarming rate, farmers have until May 1 to make a written appeal. Under the new legislation farmers owning currently zoned land face an annual tax bill of 3% of the market value of their zoned land.

This will result in countless numbers of landowners facing crippling tax bills from next year on. It is expected that this new tax may bring forward extra land sales later this year before the tax takes hold.

The IFA (Irish Farmers Association) have this week sought a senior counsel review of the legislation governing the Residential Zoned Land Tax.

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National Park to host European BioBlitz competition

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50 minutes ago

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11 May 2026

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Killarney’s nature and wildlife will take centre stage from Friday, May 15, to Sunday, May 24, as the town celebrates National Biodiversity Week.

The annual 10-day event offers a variety of free activities funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

These events provide opportunities for the public to connect with nature and learn from local experts and groups working to protect natural heritage.

This year, Killarney National Park has once again registered for the Natura 2000 BioBlitz.

This is a friendly competition between European nature sites, reserves, and national parks to see which location can record the highest number of species during the week.

In last year’s event, Killarney performed strongly, placing 8th out of 86 competing sites with 647 individual species recorded.


The Killarney National Park Education Centre is calling on the public to help identify and record as many species as possible this month.

To take part, volunteers can download the Obsidentify app and use it to scan plants and wildlife within the park boundaries between May 15 and May 24.


All scans made during this period will count toward Killarney’s total in the EU-wide competition.

Organisers hope that local involvement will help the park climb even higher in the European rankings while highlighting the diversity of the local ecosystem.

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KIFF to air final screening in May

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4 hours ago

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11 May 2026

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Kerry International Film Festival Film Club will return on Wednesday, May 20 for its final screening of the season, before taking a break until November.

The Song Cycle is a warm and funny documentary following musician and filmmaker Nick Kelly as he cycles from Dublin to Glastonbury, carrying his gear and performing gigs along the way.

Joining him are long-time collaborator Seán Millar, who arrives by bus to play each night’s show, and cameraman Céin O’Brien, capturing every high and low of the journey.

Blending music, travel and storytelling, the film is both a celebration of sustainable living and a moving reflection on friendship, creativity and Kelly’s relationship with his late father.

Intimate and quietly inspiring, it’s a story about perseverance, keeping the pedals turning, no matter the obstacles.

The documentary has received major festival acclaim, winning Best Independent Film at the Galway Film Fleadh 2024 and the Audience Award at the IFI Documentary Festival 2024.

Festival Manager Marie Lenihan said it has been really heartening to see how the film club has taken off.

She said: “At its core, it’s about giving Irish films a local screen and a shared audience, especially films that might not otherwise reach Kerry.”

Director Nick Kelly will attend a post-screening Q&A, followed by a live performance, making this a special one-night-only film club event.

Tickets are €8 plus booking fee at kerryfilmfestival.com. Free tea and coffee from 7.30pm at Cinema Killarney.

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