Limerick-based REA Dooley, headed by auctioneer Pat Dooley, has taken over the long-established Sherry FitzGerald Walsh business in Charleville, County Cork.
The Real Estate Alliance group confirmed it expanded its growing network by acquiring the business, in operation in the North Cork town since 1999.
Pat Dooley has been in the property business for 25 years and founded Dooley Group in 2009, opening its first office in Limerick City in 2012, followed by Newcastle West in 2019.
The Charleville office will have a vastly experienced team: alongside Pat will be Derry Walsh (former director Sherry FitzGerald Walsh) and Cathy Dunne (administration and property management), together with North Cork resident Jane Foley, who has been with REA Dooley for a decade.
Derry Walsh opened the auctioneering business in 1999 and joined the Sherry FitzGerald franchise in 2002.
“This is a fantastic addition to our group, and there is no doubt that the marketing and branding strength of REA, allied to our local knowledge, has given us to the confidence to acquire such a long-standing business in the Cork market,” said Mr Dooley.
REA Dooley deals with sales, lettings, and valuations in all property sectors – residential, agricultural, and commercial.
“While residential is our main business, our portfolio of agricultural listings is ever increasing,” said Mr Dooley.
“I am from a farming background and many of our REA members would have agricultural sales as their forte, which enables us to benefit from combined advertising in media.”
Mr Dooley said that “the land market is similar to the residential sector at the moment where you have high demand meeting low supply”.
“The average price of good grazing land in the Limerick and North Cork area is around €14,000 per acre – a figure that has increased steadily over the last number of years. While milk and cattle prices remain steady, land values will continue to be strong.”
