THE AUCTION system has all but died out in Dublin, with just a handful of successful sales since the beginning of the year, but country agents have had more luck in the salesroom.

Last week in Co Wexford Kehoe Associates put a cute thatched cottage near Curracloe Beach on the block with an AMV of €165,000 to include 2.3 acres. An additional eight acres was offered as a separate lot. Over 30 people showed up at the auction, and bidding was brisk. The cottage, in need of a thorough makeover, sold for €160,000 under the hammer, while the land was sold without further ado for €120,000 more.

With a result under its belt, Kehoe will offer another thatched cottage for auction next month. Sunnyside, Kilmore Quay is a large six-bed house in apple pie order with three acres of beachfront land. The AMV is €450,000.