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Sunday Property Round-Up 4th January 2026 


Weekly Irish property market news and insights – for the industry, by the industry  

Message from Carol Tallon:

We start the new year with another new record high of 16,996 people homeless, including 5,321 children.

2025 was a year of frustratingly foreseeable housing delivery failures. For 2026, our singular focus must be on emergency housing delivery. 

More than 18 months ago, the Housing Commission recommended this under recommendation #1: ‘Recognise and prioritise dealing with Ireland’s housing deficit and address it through emergency action.’

The proposed Judicial Review reforms, while well-intentioned, are the wrong way to achieve what needs to be achieved i.e. effective infrastructure and housing delivery for the ‘common good’ (and aligned with New European Bauhaus principles). 

*My personal placemaking focus for 2026/27 is to connect recent emergency-response project insights with current academic research on public consultation, community engagement, and tech-enabled participation – grounding future planning reform in both data and practice. Homebuilders working across public, private or not-for-profit projects are urged to get in touch to contribute project insights and help inform the change needed.

As always, you can contact me in confidence at carol@caroltallon.com

PROPERTY DISTRICT PRESS OFFICE 

Below are the local and international stories that might be of particular interest:

  • Poor attitude from some local authorities: “We cannot have a situation where Local Authorities are in theory zoning more lands but are imposing caveats as to when this land can come forward for development or worse still that they aren’t making sufficient provision at all. Let me be clear, such an approach is not acceptable and it will not be tolerated. The housing crisis demands urgency, ambition and cooperation across every level of government…” https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/john-cummins-rezoning-land-6914149-Dec2025/
If you missed last week’s round-up, you can catch up here: https://ipropertyradio.com/sunday-property-round-up/ 
As always, you might let me know if I have missed out on any relevant property news by emailing carol@caroltallon.com 

PLACEMAKING: https://placeengage.com

Open public consultations and community engagement, in association with the Public Consultation Institute of Ireland

  • Beautiful – Sustainable – Together: Aligned with Aarhus Convention transparency and New European Bauhaus principles, PLACEengage empowers communities, planners, and developers across Ireland’s public and private sectors to collaborate more effectively — Learn more at www.PLACEengage.com PLACEengage: Better placemaking, together.
  • ‘An Taibhdhearc belongs to everyone’: Irish language theatre aims to reach more people in 2026: Artistic Director of An Taibhdhearc, Muireann Kelly, says that they are working on accessibility measures like subtitles and Irish sign language interpretation https://www.thejournal.ie/an-taibhdhearc-2-6910501-Dec2025/

Rural, Coastal & Islands

  • ‘Let young people build homes on their farm family land’ – MAJOR change in the national planning policy to allow young people build new homes on the farm they grew up on, has been called for by a farming organisation: Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) said that ‘a radical overhaul’ of all planning laws and specifically policy relating to the National Planning Framework (NPF) and Project Ireland 2040 https://connachttribune.ie/let-young-people-build-homes-on-their-farm-family-land/

CONSTRUCTION: https://breakingground.news 

  • Conditional permission granted for large scale residential development on outskirts of Cork city: The plans, lodged by Whitestone Corner Properties Ltd in July, were given the green-light by Cork City Council on Monday. https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41765429.html

Breaking Ground News: Appointments & #ConstructionCareers

  • BGN Construction Careers, your weekly newsletter from Breaking Ground news, keeps you updated on the latest job opportunities, while showcasing the very best employer brands and projects, across Ireland’s construction industry. Whether you are looking for your next role or planning your career path, stay connected with us for new openings, upskilling opportunities and industry news.

Get all the latest job details straight to your inbox: Sign up https://breakingground.news/sign-up-form/

PODCAST:  

🎙Ciaran Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick & Heavey Homes

We had the opportunity to sit down with Ciaran Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick & Heavey Homes for iProperty Radio in the stunning showhouse at Scotts Avenue in Tullamore – and what makes this conversation so different is that we went right back to the very beginning.We talked about how Ciaran and the team got their first development off the ground, despite Ireland’s high-risk, policy-uncertain environment? 

Ciaran breaks it down step-by-step:

➡️ Moving from ambition to action

➡️ Structuring that crucial first deal

➡️ Securing partners, investment and lending support

➡️Managing planning and delivery risk 

➡️Building trust while still building a track record

This is the conversation I would love to have heard a decade and a half ago.For anyone who believes in Ireland’s ability to build – and wants to be part of it – this is essential listening.We also discuss how Fitzpatrick & Heavey Homes is on track to break ground on 10,000 new homes over the next three years; their partnership-led land strategy, including absorbing RZLT to unlock stalled sites; expansion into materials and supply chain to control delivery certainty; and a business model built around speed, pragmatism and community-scale impact.

Ciaran and his team are navigating risk – not waiting for it to disappear. And that’s the kind of leadership this industry needs right now.

Produced by Katie Tallon MPRII, iProperty Radio 

Watch in full:  https://youtu.be/1PPqySeEaPY?si=ACxG3ytFAhDQoXfR

Watch the entire 2025 series:  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hAEpymn6vn4kQvpi97pAaD3c5WnLAt9&si=C5bqwRS_l6rwUY4X

CIF Safety Campaign 2025 Podcast 

🎙MMC: “We can’t have an industry that relies on one framework, we need more pipeline”

With offsite construction playing a greater role than ever in housing and infrastructure delivery, Carol Tallon sits down with Denise Tuffy, Specialist Contracting Director at the Construction Industry Federation, to discuss the work of the Smart Off-site Association (SOsA). Denise shares members’ perspectives on current government PMV targets, standout projects, and the opportunities ahead including Vision Built’s pioneering traineeships to Cygnum’s 70% manufacturing expansion. Representing leading companies including Actavo, CPAC Modular, Procon Modular, Lidan Designs, Cygnum, Vision-Built, Adston, Extraspace, Manley Timber Frame, Castle Group, MMC Eco Homes, and G-Frame Structure, Denise talks of how collaboration and support can drive the delivery of homes, schools, and healthcare projects.

Produced by Katie Tallon MPRII, iProperty Radio 

Watch in full:  https://youtu.be/futptlDd9mk?si=ma6HF04OhfzFTs3o

Watch the entire series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hAEpymn6vnhCbgSqe6T8TJTfB9mvD6C&si=ity7U_ANvSSyc0bU

REAL ESTATE: www.irishrealestate.news

Residential 

Property of the week 

Best of My Favourite Room: Step inside the most inspiring properties we visited around Ireland in 2025: From colourful cottages to mock Georgian eco-builds, come through the doors of some of the stand-out homes we visited around the country in 2025 https://m.independent.ie/life/home-garden/homes/best-of-my-favourite-room-step-inside-the-most-inspiring-properties-we-visited-around-ireland-in-2025/a818574807.html#

Commercial 

PODCAST: The Property Roundup on iPropertyRadio.com

🎙Ireland’s Housing Crisis, with Limerick & Galway Auctioneer, Lisa Kearney

On ‘Property Roundup’, we hear from Lisa Kearney, most recent past President of IPAV – Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers, in the Rooney HQ in Limerick to have a frank discussion on Ireland’s housing emergency and affordability problems stopping an entire generation from getting on the property market. Lisa also gives us a look back at the last year of her presidency and what she would like to see going forward.

Produced by Katie Tallon MPRII, iProperty Radio 

Watch in full:  https://youtu.be/I4nKf2eW-7A?si=bqFHJwa5W4wwv5gv

Watch the entire series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hAEpymn6vmzomMtdcSXkcYsR6A9Kdno&si=wZl2pnCfpfmFagYB

Produced by Katie Tallon 

All Property Round Up episodes – https://ipropertyradio.com/property-roundup/

FACEBOOK group for homebuyers and investors in Ireland 2024: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IrishPropertyBuyers/ 

Further property resources at: https://www.amazon.com/Carol-Tallon/

PROPTECH, CONSTRUCTION TECH & SMART CITIES: https://prop-tech.ie/

Proptech Ireland is updating the database of 2025 Irish technology providers for the built environment – sign up here: https://prop-tech.ie/register/  and email product or service details to hello@prop-tech.ie

  • Proptech Ireland: Ireland’s CONSTRUCTION and REAL ESTATE ESG technologies resource hub. Confused about how and where to start on your ESG journey? Contact us 👉https://prop-tech.ie

PODCAST: The Proptech Hot Seat on iPropertyRadio.com

🎙MMC: “We can’t have an industry that relies on one framework, we need more pipeline”

With offsite construction playing a greater role than ever in housing and infrastructure delivery, Carol Tallon sits down with Denise Tuffy, Specialist Contracting Director at the Construction Industry Federation, to discuss the work of the Smart Off-site Association (SOsA). Denise shares members’ perspectives on current government PMV targets, standout projects, and the opportunities ahead including Vision Built’s pioneering traineeships to Cygnum’s 70% manufacturing expansion. Representing leading companies including Actavo, CPAC Modular, Procon Modular, Lidan Designs, Cygnum, Vision-Built, Adston, Extraspace, Manley Timber Frame, Castle Group, MMC Eco Homes, and G-Frame Structure, Denise talks of how collaboration and support can drive the delivery of homes, schools, and healthcare projects.

Produced by Katie Tallon MPRII, iProperty Radio 

Watch in full:  https://youtu.be/futptlDd9mk?si=ma6HF04OhfzFTs3o

All previous episodes of the Proptech Hot Seat can be found at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hAEpymn6vnSmFt4WXloS0IQNfUkdw2G&si=qeT3RSVaXBPX3Sxd

Proptech Hot seat is sponsored by Proptech Ireland, the hub for innovators, investors and industry leaders https://prop-tech.ie/ 

Produced by Katie Tallon, with Hear Me Roar Media on sound https://hearmeroarmedia.com 

All Proptech Hot Seat episodes –  https://ipropertyradio.com/proptech-hot-seat/ 

INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT & BIODIVERSITY

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

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