Sunday Property Round-Up 5th October 2025

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

Message from Carol Tallon:

In a week where a lone planning appeal stalled in excess of 1,130 new homes in Dublin and local authorities continued to push back on rezoning and rural housing targets, the Housing Minister has warned against “perfection being the enemy of the good” in housing delivery, insisting the Office of the Planning Regulator must follow the government’s pro-building policy.

And if further impetus was needed, Ciaran Mullooly, MEP and Vice Chair of the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union, speaking on foot of the Special Committee’s draft report, called on the Housing Minister to act with urgency, saying:

❝Ireland needs that money from Europe. The Minister should take the key proposals from this report, draft emergency legislation, and go for it. If it ends up in court, so be it – but at least we’ll have tried.❞

The final report is expected to go before Parliament by February 2026, alongside approximately €15 billion in EU funding for social and affordable housing. You can read the draft report of the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis over on iProperty Radio.

Across the iProperty Radio channel, the latest in the CIF Construction Safety Campaign 2025 podcast series takes us to Murphy HQ in Kildare and to Uisce Eireann’s plant overlooking Lough Mask in County Mayo.

As always, you can email me on carol@caroltallon.com to discuss any of these development stories further.

PROPERTY DISTRICT PRESS OFFICE

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

Mick Clifford: Housing crisis won’t be solved by wrongly shifting blame onto local councils — When zoning was incorrectly blamed for planning delays, Micheál Martin lashed out at the blameless county council concerned https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-41712848.html

Lone planning appeal stalls 1,131 new homes in Dublin https://m.independent.ie/business/lone-planning-appeal-stalls-1131-new-homes-in-dublin/a824006970.html

Planning objectors now threaten the common good, says head of planning taskforce: Sean O’Driscoll says objectors are winning their legal costs too easily in system where number of judicial reviews swamps UK figures https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2025/10/02/changes-to-planning-laws-more-important-than-budget-says-chambers/

Ministerial concerns over regulator’s restrictions on new Mayo housing: Minister for Housing James Browne has warned against “perfection being the enemy of the good” in housing delivery, insisting the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) must follow the government’s pro-building policy. Mayo County Council has faced pushback from the OPR on rezoning and rural housing targets: https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2025/10/01/ministerial-concerns-over-regulators-restrictions-on-new-mayo-housing/

❝Ireland needs that money from Europe. The Minister should take the key proposals from this report, draft emergency legislation, and go for it. If it ends up in court, so be it – but at least we’ll have tried.❞ – Ciaran Mullooly, MEP and Vice Chair of the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union, speaking on foot of the Special Committee’s draft report, calls on the Housing Minister to act with urgency. ⭕ Read the draft report of the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union: https://ipropertyradio.com/mep-ciaran-mullooly-eu-draft-report-calls-for-radical-action-on-housing-supply-planning-reform-and-rural-renewal/ The final report is expected to go before Parliament by February 2026, alongside approximately €15 billion in EU funding for social and affordable housing.

‘Better quality’ planning decisions would mean fewer judicial reviews – Bar council chair: Seán Guerin SC says decision-making failure over planning for Dublin drainage project ‘not the fault of judicial review’ https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2025/10/04/better-quality-planning-decisions-would-mean-fewer-judicial-reviews-bar-council-chair/

Political paralysis gumming up social housing pipeline: Relationships between AHBs and developers ‘shot to ribbons’ by State funding decisions, conference told https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2025/10/02/political-paralysis-gumming-up-social-housing-pipeline/

Housing Department published the ‘Standardised Design Approaches: Promoting Greater Adoption of MMC’ study with the aim of raising awareness and promoting adoption of standardised housing design including layouts, construction methodology, building services and building components which can reduce costs and promote MMC, all while maximising sustainability and maintaining quality…” https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/standardised-design-approaches-study1/

Mayor reveals estimated cost of modular homes he has planned for Limerick: Hefty price tag put on delivery of 2,000 temporary housing units https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/property/1906074/mayor-reveals-estimated-cost-of-modular-homes-he-has-planned-for-limerick.html

More than 100,000 properties along Irish coastline at risk of flooding: New analysis raises likelihood that thousands of properties will become uninsurable https://www.irishtimes.com/environment/climate-crisis/2025/10/01/almost-5-of-coastal-property-now-vulnerable-to-extreme-weather-events/

‘We need to fall back in love with apartments’: New Sherry Fitzgerald boss on her plans for the firm https://www.businesspost.ie/companies/we-need-to-fall-back-in-love-with-apartments-new-sherry-fitzgerald-boss-on-her-plans-for-the-firm/

NAMA advisor failed to disclose investment fund links, court hears https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/0930/1536147-nama-trial/

The Indo Daily: Revisited: Billionaires, beaches and bust-ups: Inside Dermot Desmond’s Caribbean oasis https://m.independent.ie/podcasts/the-indo-daily/the-indo-daily-revisited-billionaires-beaches-and-bust-ups-inside-dermot-desmonds-caribbean-oasis/a2111802092.html#

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.

Plans Approved To Transform Disused Offaly Library Into Multi-Use Community Space https://www.midlands103.com/news/midlands-news/plans-approved-to-transform-disused-offaly-library-into-multi-use-community-space/

EirGrid launches public consultations in Leitrim ahead of major infrastructure projects: EirGrid seeks local input on major electricity upgrade as part of plans to boost capacity, support renewable energy, and drive economic growth in the North West. https://www.leitrimobserver.ie/news/local-news/1905975/eirgrid-launches-public-consultations-in-leitrim-ahead-of-major-infrastructure-projects.html

Tidy Towns group in Cork urgently calling on people to volunteer in the war against litter https://m.independent.ie/regionals/cork/news/tidy-towns-group-in-cork-urgently-calling-on-people-to-volunteer-in-the-war-against-litter/a1609013602.html

Rural, Coastal & Islands

Minister for Housing James Browne has warned against “perfection being the enemy of the good” in housing delivery, insisting the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) must follow the government’s pro-building policy. Mayo County Council has faced pushback from the OPR on rezoning and rural housing targets. https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2025/10/01/ministerial-concerns-over-regulators-restrictions-on-new-mayo-housing/#

Emigration is depleting rural communities of its youth: Danny Healy-Rae attended emigration event for 10 young people in Kerry village https://m.independent.ie/regionals/kerry/south-kerry-news/danny-healy-rae-attended-emigration-event-for-10-young-people-in-kerry-village/a34278596.html

Longford needs ‘rural repopulation’ and ‘barrier’ housing planning rules must be relaxed — Ballymahon Fianna Fáil councillor Pat O’Toole: ‘I think this whole business is causing depopulation when we should be looking at rural repopulation’ https://www.longfordleader.ie/news/local-news/1905351/longford-needs-rural-repopulation-and-barrier-housing-planning-rules-must-be-relaxed.html

CONSTRUCTION: https://breakingground.news

You can get a more comprehensive view of weekly and/monthly planning activities at all stages through Property District’s Development Heat Map: https://propertydistrict.ie/development-heat-map/

Construction bosses say they’re sending their staff abroad for work because of uncertainty here: ‘We’re seeing teams getting on flights at Dublin Airport on a Monday morning and heading to the UK and Europe for work.’ https://www.thejournal.ie/infrastructure-projects-ireland-6831109-Sep2025/

Big engineering companies waiting for reassurance from Budget 2016 on infrastructure boom https://m.independent.ie/business/irish/big-engineering-companies-waiting-for-reassurance-from-budget-2016-on-infrastructure-boom/a116995032.html#

CRH market value soars to record $81.6bn as new boss outlines growth plans: New CRH boss Jim Mintern plans to spend $40 billion on investment and cash returns to shareholders over five years https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2025/09/30/crh-has-40bn-firepower-for-investment-and-cash-returns-over-next-five-years/

Hardware industry pushes skills pipeline as labour shortages bite https://www.businesspost.ie/uncategorized/hardware-industry-pushes-skills-pipeline-as-labour-shortages-bite/

NAMA transfers sites in North Dublin and Kildare to LDA https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2025/1001/1536235-nama-transfers-2-sites-to-lda/

Johnny Ronan consortium gets planning permission for 20-storey hotel at glass bottle site: Development gets green light after adjusting the design of ‘landmark’ tower building https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2025/10/01/johnny-ronan-consortium-gets-planning-permission-for-20-storey-hotel-at-glass-bottle-site/

Planning board gives go-ahead for 362 homes in Cork town if road improvement works are done: Developer has been given approval by An Coimisiún Pleanála to build 318 houses and 44 apartments, along with a creche and cafe, in Carrigaline https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-41715720.html

Cork student accommodation at former country manor gets go-ahead despite over 200 objections: 170 students to be housed on site of former country manor and medical facility https://m.independent.ie/regionals/cork/news/cork-student-accommodation-at-former-country-manor-gets-go-ahead-despite-over-200-objections/a526538199.html

Decision made on plans for massive student accommodation complex on outskirts of Limerick: Project set bring up to 1,400 beds towering up to eight-storeys near University of Limerick https://www.ireland-live.ie/news/limerick-live/1908646/decision-made-on-plans-for-massive-student-accommodation-complex-on-outskirts-of-limerick.html

‘Good news’: Limerick school granted planning permission on the second go-around: The Principal of the school – Cáitlín Móinbhíol – nominated the Minister for Gaeltacht Affairs Patrick O’Donovan to represent the school for the planning permission application https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/1908443/good-news-limerick-school-granted-planning-permission-on-the-second-go-around.html

Plans to turn Galway residential development into student accommodation and short-term letting https://m.independent.ie/regionals/galway/news/plans-to-turn-galway-residential-development-into-student-accommodation-and-short-term-letting/a1387378425.html#

Westport developer fails in his appeal to grant planning to demolish west Mayo pub: An Coimisiún Pleanála reject inspector’s recommendation to grant permission for James Street development https://www.mayonews.ie/news/westport/1909043/westport-developer-fails-in-his-appeal-to-grant-planning-to-demolish-west-mayo-pub.html

Plans have been lodged with Roscommon County Council to build eight new houses in Roscommon Town https://www.roscommonherald.ie/news/plans-for-eight-new-houses-in-county-roscommon-town_arid-72639.html

Doubts cast over multi-million euro Cavan housing development as planning appeal is lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála https://m.independent.ie/regionals/cavan/news/doubts-cast-over-multi-million-euro-cavan-housing-development-as-planning-appeal-is-lodged-with-an-coimisiun-pleanala/a939946968.html

Planning permission granted for new housing in North Leitrim village: Planning permission has been granted for two three-bedroom semi-detached houses and two two-bedroom semi-detached houses in Kiltyclogher, subject to 20 conditions. https://www.leitrimobserver.ie/news/local-news/1909197/planning-permission-granted-for-new-housing-in-north-leitrim-village.html

A county Louth construction firm has been given the go-ahead to undertake a multi-million euro housing development and creche in one of the midlands’ fastest growing towns https://m.independent.ie/regionals/westmeath/news/over-120-homes-set-for-bustling-westmeath-town-despite-serious-concerns-of-local-residents/a636665146.html#

Permission has been granted for a new housing estate to be built on the site of the former Shannon Shamrock Hotel at Bunratty, nearby Bunratty Castle https://m.independent.ie/regionals/clare/news/clare-hotel-to-be-demolished-as-major-housing-complex-approved-despite-residents-outcry/a1604987462.html#

Critical housing developments effectively frozen in Kerry town due to water issues https://m.independent.ie/regionals/kerry/news/critical-housing-developments-effectively-frozen-in-kerry-town-due-to-water-issues/a1189952305.html

Planning permission granted for 134 new homes in Killarney https://www.radiokerry.ie/news/planning-permission-granted-for-134-new-homes-in-killarney-454084

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:

Construction Industry Federation (CIF) Construction Safety Campaign 2025

🎙️Murphy: New Generation of Construction Safety Talent

In episode 9 of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) Construction Safety Campaign 2025 podcast, Director of Safety, Education & Training, Sean Downey, joins Kerrie O’ Flaherty, Graduate Civil Engineer, Henry O’Sullivan, Non-Destructive Testing Apprentice and Daniel Browne, Graduate Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineer, on site at Murphy HQ!

🎙️ Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/2SQXVgyerkhnxh80jnEORZ?si=8918311ee4964ed3

📹 Watch in full – https://youtu.be/ZshDgSEpDfc

Health & Safety with Uisce Éireann (Irish Water)

🎙️ In the 10th episode of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) Construction Safety Campaign 2025 podcast, Director of Safety, Education & Training, Sean Downey, joins Maura Kilcommons, Head of Health & Safety with Uisce Éireann Irish Water, on site at Lough Mask water treatment plant in County Mayo.

This plant is currently undergoing a €29m upgrade to improve security of water supply and water quality across the region. The upgrade will also provide additional capacity to cater for the equivalent of an additional 20,000 houses.

🎙️ Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/2SQXVgyerkhnxh80jnEORZ?si=8918311ee4964ed3

📹 Watch in full – https://youtu.be/wWxiT1zqcuM

(*apologies for the shakiness of the video at times – as you will see from the drone footage, this is a pretty exposed setting, even without the wind!)

*Produced by Katie Tallon MPRII

Further podcast episodes in this series will involve on-site interviews with construction safety teams to understand real issues on the ground.

The CIF Construction Safety Campaign 2025 ‘Back to Basics’ will take place from October 13–24th 2025

REAL ESTATE: www.irishrealestate.news

Residential

Asylum-seeker crisis sees rise of small-town millionaire landlords – from TDs and an ex-GAA manager to a painter and decorator: Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae has made more than €1.2m by housing Ukrainian refugees https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/asylum-seeker-crisis-sees-rise-of-small-town-millionaire-landlords-from-tds-and-an-ex-gaa-manager-to-a-painter-and-decorator/a1462857438.html

Changes for landlords and LPT payments https://www.anglocelt.ie/2025/10/04/changes-for-landlords-and-lpt-payments/#

The average price of a three-bed semi-detached house in Dublin is now over €610,000: Listed prices for houses in Ireland are just 10% below their Celtic Tiger peak. https://www.thejournal.ie/housing-prices-dublin-daft-report-6830464-Sep2025/

Over 200 vacant homes currently in hands of Limerick City & County Council: Local authority says some of the properties require minor refurbishment while other are in need of ‘major refurbishment works’ https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/local-news/1906511/exclusive-over-200-vacant-homes-currently-in-hands-of-limerick-city-county-council.html

Kerry most expensive county outside Dublin to buy new-build home https://www.radiokerry.ie/news/kerry-most-expensive-county-outside-dublin-to-buy-new-build-home-453736

Five homes on view this week in Wicklow, Galway and Dublin from €375,000: New to the market in Cabinteely, Rathgar, Ringsend, Bray and Loughrea https://www.irishtimes.com/property/residential/2025/10/02/five-homes-on-view-this-week-in-wicklow-galway-and-dublin-from-375000/

Woman who spent over €5m renovating mansion awarded damages against her architect https://extra.ie/2025/10/03/news/renovating-mansion-damages-architect

‘Milestone day’ in Mayo as two new estates opened https://www.westernpeople.ie/news/milestone-day-in-mayo-as-two-new-estates-opened_arid-72486.html

Take a look inside one of Offaly’s cheapest homes with extras selling for €195,000: The property in Offaly could be perfect for someone willing it to give it some time and TLC https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/home/1908555/take-a-look-inside-one-of-offaly-s-cheapest-homes-with-extras-selling-for-195-000.html

Property of the week

Kerry man’s dream comes through – ‘I built every piece of this myself’ https://m.independent.ie/regionals/kerry/south-kerry-news/kerry-mans-dream-comes-through-i-built-every-piece-of-this-myself/a1842171316.html?errorCode=0

Commercial

Dublin office market records busiest quarter of leasing since 2018 https://www.businesspost.ie/daily-briefing/dublin-office-market-records-busiest-quarter-of-leasing-since-2018/

Donnybrook’s ‘Warehouse’ offices launched to market at €2m https://www.businesspost.ie/uncategorized/donnybrooks-warehouse-offices-launched-to-market-at-e2m/

Conor McGregor’s brewery was locked up by landlord for months over rent debt claims https://m.independent.ie/business/irish/conor-mcgregors-brewery-was-locked-up-by-landlord-for-months-over-rent-debt-claims/a1924152158.html

‘Thriving’ Galway pub with charming features put up for sale in heart of border village https://m.independent.ie/regionals/galway/news/thriving-galway-pub-with-charming-features-put-up-for-sale-in-heart-of-border-village/a1882294504.html#

Call to dedicate more staff to tackling poor-quality shopfronts in Limerick is rejected: Independent councillor and architect raises concerns over appearance of commercial premises https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/business/1907571/call-to-dedicate-more-staff-to-tackling-poor-quality-shopfronts-in-limerick-is-rejected.html

Level of empty commercial units in Athlone decreases | Athlone still has the highest rate of commercial vacancies in Westmeath – but the situation is slowly improving https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2025/09/26/level-of-empty-commercial-units-in-athlone-decreases/#

Longford businesses vacating premises at increasing rate as cost pressures mount: The county’s commercial vacancy rate now stands at 14.8%, which is higher than the national average https://www.longfordleader.ie/news/property/1908073/longford-businesses-vacating-premises-at-increasing-rate-as-cost-pressures-mount.html

Push for specific measures to revive vacant buildings in Tipperary https://m.independent.ie/regionals/tipperary/news/push-for-specific-measures-to-revive-vacant-buildings-in-tipperary/a948246650.html#

South Kerry bar closes after 37 years due to difficult trading conditions https://www.radiokerry.ie/news/south-kerry-bar-closes-after-37-years-due-to-difficult-trading-conditions-453885

PODCAST: The Property Roundup on iPropertyRadio.com

🎙 “If land is zoned and services are in place, we should be building next month, not next year.” – MEP Ciarán Mullooly

This week on the Property Round-Up on iProperty Radio, host Carol Tallon sits down with MEP Ciaran Mullooly, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the Housing Crisis, to breakdown the Committee’s new draft report on enabling and accelerating the delivery of decent, sustainable and affordable housing.

In this blunt, straight-talking, and confronting housing conversation, the MEP calls out blockages – and blockers – to Ireland’s housing delivery, and discusses how State-aid rules could be relaxed to unlock private and public investment.

Critically, he shares the first shred of hope for rural Ireland about the proposed ‘Right to Stay’ planning approach for rural and island communities, and how communities, cooperatives and even the GAA can be part of the solution.

Watch this interview in full: https://youtu.be/rmJjR0IzNHc?si=ArMAenyXcwXUjCXT

Listen back to this interview in full: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5nWFDzsEm3ZApFHQ9MDd6d?si=s_sswWdYRQqyK0lhKJM-iw

*Access the draft report of the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union: https://ipropertyradio.com/mep-ciaran-mullooly-eu-draft-report-calls-for-radical-action-on-housing-supply-planning-reform-and-rural-renewal/

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

Technology breakthrough helps refrigeration and data centre sectors meet climate goals: Irish company Exergyn has developed approach to avoid high costs of heating and cooling systems https://www.irishtimes.com/technology/2025/10/02/technology-breakthrough-helps-refrigeration-and-data-centre-sectors-meet-climate-goals/

Deep dives into marine data see revenues rise at Dublin firm TechWorks Marine https://www.businesspost.ie/uncategorized/deep-dives-into-marine-data-see-revenues-rise-at-dublin-firm-techworks-marine/

PODCAST: The Proptech Hot Seat on iPropertyRadio.com

Camille Donegan of Eirmersive: XR in business

This week on the Proptech Hot Seat podcast on iProperty Radio, in association with Proptech Ireland, guest host and PR lead with Property District, Cróna Esler, sits down with Camille Donegan, CEO of Eirmersive, the voice of the immersive sector in Ireland, to discuss their upcoming event, PRISM, an opportunity to explore the adoption of Immersive Technologies in the next 3–5 years.

*PRISM takes place on October 29th 2025 in Dundalk Institute of Technology

🎟️ Book your ticket for Eirmersive – https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/prism-where-vrarxr-meet-digital-twins-and-ai-tickets-1533671686299

🎙️ Full episode here – https://youtu.be/cdzpdT3Yb6s

📣 Listen back- https://open.spotify.com/show/7JHA5uEH2OhQUrlcri0aEa?si=79da63b7ccaa41f6