What are the best areas for real estate in Ireland? (January 2026)

Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Ireland Property Pack

Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Ireland Property Pack

Fact-checked and reviewed by our local expert

✓✓✓

Anthony McCann 🇮🇪

Co-Founder, FindQo.ie

Anthony McCann co-founded FindQo.ie to bring a smarter, more user-friendly property experience to the Irish market. With Ireland’s housing needs evolving, he saw the need for a fresh, tech-driven platform. FindQo.ie helps people buy, sell, or rent homes and commercial properties easily. It’s designed to support buyers, renters, and agents with powerful search tools and expert guidance.

Who is the author of this content?

INVESTROPA

A team specialized in real estate investing in European countries

We are a team of financial experts, legal professionals, developers, and local real estate specialists dedicated to helping people like you avoid mistakes when investing in real estate in a foreign place, particularly in Ireland. If you’d like to learn more about us, you can check our presentation page.

What's the Current Real Estate Market Situation by Area in Ireland?

Which areas in Ireland have the highest property prices per square meter in 2026?

As of early 2026, the three most expensive areas in Ireland are Dublin 4 (Ballsbridge, Donnybrook, Sandymount), Dublin 2 (Grand Canal Dock, Docklands), and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown's coastal strip (Blackrock, Monkstown, Dalkey).

In these prime areas, expect to pay 6,500 to 11,500 euros per square meter, depending on property type and exact location.

Each neighborhood commands high prices for different reasons:

• Dublin 4 (Ballsbridge, Sandymount): embassy belt, top schools, period homes, low turnover.
• Dublin 2 (Grand Canal Dock): tech employer proximity, modern stock, walkable lifestyle.
• Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown coast (Blackrock, Dalkey): coastal premium, DART access, trophy home scarcity.

Which areas in Ireland have the most affordable property prices in 2026?

As of early 2026, the most affordable areas are Donegal, Longford, Leitrim, and parts of Roscommon, where median prices sit well below the national average.

Typical prices range from 1,200 to 2,300 euros per square meter, roughly a quarter of prime Dublin prices.

The main trade-off is thinner rental demand and less liquidity, so resale takes longer and finding quality tenants requires more effort, especially in remote villages away from towns like Letterkenny or Carrick-on-Shannon.

You can also read our latest analysis regarding housing prices in Ireland.

We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Ireland. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.

Which Areas in Ireland Offer the Best Rental Yields?

Which neighborhoods in Ireland have the highest gross rental yields in 2026?

As of early 2026, neighborhoods with the highest gross yields include Dublin 10 (Ballyfermot), Tallaght (Dublin 24), Cork City Centre, and Waterford City, where gross yields reach 7 to 9 percent.

Ireland's average gross yield sits around 7.5 percent, with one-bedroom Dublin apartments achieving about 8 percent and family homes in outer suburbs closer to 5 to 6 percent.

Why these neighborhoods deliver stronger returns:

• Dublin 10 (Ballyfermot): lower prices with solid demand from hospital and airport workers.
• Tallaght (Dublin 24): affordable entry with Luas Red Line access.
• Cork City Centre (Bishopstown, Wilton): pharma, tech, and university tenant pools.
• Waterford City: regeneration pushing rents faster than prices.

Finally, please note that we cover the rental yields in Ireland here.

Which Areas in Ireland Are Best for Short-Term Vacation Rentals?

Which neighborhoods in Ireland perform best on Airbnb in 2026?

As of early 2026, top Airbnb performers include Dublin 2 (Temple Bar, Grand Canal Dock), Galway's Latin Quarter, Killarney in Kerry, and Howth, with 65 to 75 percent occupancy and nightly rates of 120 to 200 euros.

Well-managed properties generate 2,500 to 5,000 euros monthly during peak season, though regulations cap legal letting nights.

What drives outperformance:

• Dublin 2 (Temple Bar, Grand Canal Dock): walkable to attractions and nightlife.
• Galway Latin Quarter: compact center with year-round cultural events.
• Killarney: Ring of Kerry gateway with strong tourist flow.
• Howth: coastal day-trip destination attracting weekend visitors.

By the way, we also have a blog article detailing whether owning an Airbnb rental is profitable in Ireland.

Which tourist areas in Ireland are becoming oversaturated with short-term rentals?

The areas showing clearest Airbnb oversaturation are Temple Bar in Dublin 2, the IFSC/Dublin 1 border zone, and parts of Killarney town center.

Temple Bar alone has several hundred active listings in a small area, making it a priority zone for Dublin City Council enforcement.

The clearest oversaturation sign is declining shoulder-season occupancy combined with increased neighbor complaints and hosts competing on price rather than quality.

We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Ireland. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.

Which Areas in Ireland Are Best for Long-Term Rentals?

Which neighborhoods in Ireland have the strongest demand for long-term tenants?

Strongest long-term rental demand is in Dublin 2 (Grand Canal Dock), Dublin 4 (Ballsbridge), Dublin 6 (Ranelagh, Rathmines), Cork's Bishopstown and Douglas, and Galway's Newcastle and Salthill.

Vacancy periods are typically one to two weeks for well-priced properties, as professionals, students, and families compete for limited stock.

Tenant profiles by neighborhood:

• Dublin 2 (Grand Canal Dock): tech professionals from multinationals.
• Dublin 4 (Ballsbridge): embassy staff, corporate executives, families.
• Dublin 6 (Ranelagh, Rathmines): young professionals valuing walkability.
• Cork (Bishopstown, Douglas): students, hospital staff, pharma employees.
• Galway (Newcastle, Salthill): university and medtech workers.

What makes these areas attractive is reliable transport access (Luas, DART, bus), proximity to employers or universities, and neighborhood amenities.

Finally, please note that we provide a very granular rental analysis in our property pack about Ireland.

What are the average long-term monthly rents by neighborhood in Ireland in 2026?

As of early 2026, 2-bedroom apartment rents in Dublin range from 2,200 euros (North County) to 2,700 euros (South City areas like Ranelagh), while Cork City averages 2,000 euros and Galway 2,100 euros.

In affordable areas like Waterford or outer Limerick, entry-level 2-bedrooms run 1,400 to 1,600 euros monthly.

Mid-range neighborhoods (Dublin 9, Dublin 15, Cork's Ballincollig) see 2-bedrooms at 1,800 to 2,200 euros.

Premium neighborhoods (Dublin 4's Ballsbridge, Dublin 2's Grand Canal Dock) command 2,500 to 3,200 euros for 2-bedrooms.

You may want to check our latest analysis about the rents in Ireland here.

Which Are the Up-and-Coming Areas to Invest in Ireland?

Which neighborhoods in Ireland are gentrifying and attracting new investors in 2026?

As of early 2026, gentrifying neighborhoods attracting investor interest include Dublin 8 (Inchicore, The Liberties), Dublin 7 (Stoneybatter, Smithfield), Cork Docklands, and Limerick's city center around the Opera Site.

These areas have typically seen 6 to 10 percent annual price appreciation, outpacing established neighborhoods as new amenities attract younger buyers and renters.

Which areas in Ireland have major infrastructure projects planned that will boost prices?

Areas with major infrastructure likely to boost prices include the MetroLink corridor (Swords to Charlemont), DART+ Coastal North (Malahide to Drogheda), and the proposed Luas Cork route (Ballincollig to Mahon).

MetroLink will run from Swords through Dublin Airport to Charlemont with 16 stations, procurement starting 2026. DART+ Coastal North extends electrified rail to Drogheda. Luas Cork connects western suburbs through the city to Mahon.

Historically, Irish areas gaining new rail stations see 10 to 20 percent price premiums versus similar locations without improved transport.

You'll find our latest property market analysis about Ireland here.

We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Ireland versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.

Which Areas in Ireland Should I Avoid as a Property Investor?

Which neighborhoods in Ireland with lots of problems I should avoid and why?

Areas requiring most caution include certain pockets of Dublin's inner north (parts of Dublin 1/Dublin 7 with antisocial issues), one-employer rural towns, and documented flood-risk zones.

Specific issues by area type:

• Parts of Dublin 1/Dublin 7: street-level issues causing vacancy, insurance difficulty, tenant turnover.
• One-employer rural towns: tenant demand can collapse if the main employer downsizes.
• Flood-risk locations: insurance costs can make ownership uneconomical.

These areas need sustained policing improvements, economic diversification, or flood defense completion to become viable.

Buying a property in the wrong neighborhood is one of the mistakes we cover in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying property in Ireland.

Which areas in Ireland have stagnant or declining property prices as of 2026?

As of early 2026, no major Irish area shows outright price declines, but Dublin consistently grows slower (around 5 percent annually) than outside Dublin (around 9 percent), representing meaningful relative underperformance.

CSO data shows Dublin trailing by 3 to 4 percentage points annually for several years.

Underlying causes of slower growth:

• Prime Dublin (D4, D6): already at affordability ceilings.
• Dublin apartments: new 2025/2026 supply moderating prices.
• Remote rural areas: population decline and weak rental demand.

Which Areas in Ireland Have the Best Long-Term Appreciation Potential?

Which areas in Ireland have historically appreciated the most recently?

Areas appreciating most over recent years include Connacht-Ulster (excluding Galway), the Midlands (Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath), Cork suburbs, and Galway city.

Appreciation by area:

• Connacht-Ulster: 11.6 percent in 2025, over 50 percent since pre-pandemic.
• Midlands: 12 percent growth year to August 2025.
• Cork suburbs: 6 to 7 percent annual growth sustained over years.
• Galway city: 8 to 9 percent annually from constrained supply and medtech jobs.

Main drivers: remote work enabling moves from Dublin, affordable entry prices attracting first-time buyers, and local employment growth in pharma and tech.

By the way, you will find much more detailed trends and forecasts in our pack covering there is to know about buying a property in Ireland.

Which neighborhoods in Ireland are expected to see price growth in coming years?

Neighborhoods expected to see strongest growth are the MetroLink corridor (Swords, Ballymun, Glasnevin), DART+ areas (Malahide, Drogheda corridor), and Cork's Luas route (Ballincollig, Mahon).

Projected growth:

• MetroLink corridor: 5 to 8 percent annually as milestones are reached.
• DART+ Coastal North: 4 to 6 percent as electrification progresses.
• Cork Luas route: 5 to 7 percent as planning advances.
• Limerick Opera Site area: 6 to 8 percent from regeneration investment.

The key catalyst is confirmed transport investment, because improved commutes expand the buyer and tenant pool.

We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Ireland compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.

What Do Locals and Expats Really Think About Different Areas in Ireland?

Which areas in Ireland do local residents consider the most desirable to live?

Locals consider most desirable: Dublin 4 (Ballsbridge, Sandymount), Dublin 6 (Ranelagh, Rathmines), Dublin 3 (Clontarf), Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown coast (Blackrock, Dalkey), Cork's Douglas, and Galway's Salthill.

What makes each desirable:

• Dublin 4: period homes, top schools, embassy proximity, coastal walks.
• Dublin 6: village atmosphere, walkability, independent shops.
• Dublin 3 (Clontarf): seafront access, family-friendly, good schools.
• Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown coast: coastal lifestyle, DART access, prestige.

These areas attract established professionals and families prioritizing lifestyle. Local preferences largely align with foreign investor targets, though locals weight schools and community more heavily while investors prioritize yield and transport.

Which neighborhoods in Ireland have the best reputation among expat communities?

Best expat reputation: Dublin 2 (Grand Canal Dock), Dublin 4 (Ballsbridge), Dublin 6 (Ranelagh, Portobello), and walkable parts of Dublin 7/8 (Smithfield, Stoneybatter).

Why expats prefer these:

• Dublin 2 (Grand Canal Dock): walking distance to tech employers, modern apartments.
• Dublin 4 (Ballsbridge): embassy familiarity, corporate housing standards.
• Dublin 6 (Ranelagh): cafe culture, easy socializing, quick city access.
• Dublin 7/8 (Smithfield, Stoneybatter): trendy, affordable, young professional community.

Typical expats are tech workers, corporate transferees, and younger professionals prioritizing urban lifestyle over space.

Which areas in Ireland do locals say are overhyped by foreign buyers?

Locals say overhyped areas include Temple Bar in Dublin 2, some Docklands towers, and coastal tourist towns like Dingle or Kinsale.

Why locals consider them overvalued:

• Temple Bar: noise and tourists make it unpleasant to live in despite "central" appeal.
• Docklands towers: can feel sterile with limited neighborhood amenities.
• Coastal tourist towns: prices reflect holiday demand, not local fundamentals.

Foreign buyers see "postcard appeal" and investment narratives, while locals know the daily reality of noise, seasonality, and thin amenities.

By the way, we've written a blog article detailing the experience of buying a property as a foreigner in Ireland.

Which areas in Ireland are considered boring or undesirable by residents?

Residents consider boring: car-dependent outer suburbs without village centers (parts of Dublin 15, 22, 24 away from Luas), monotonous estates without amenities, and commuter towns lacking shops or social infrastructure.

Why they're unappealing:

• Outer Dublin suburbs: car dependency, long commutes, limited walkable amenities.
• Monotonous estates: no cafes, shops, or gathering places creates dormitory feel.
• Commuter towns without character: residents drive elsewhere for everything.

What sources have we used to write this blog article?

Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Ireland, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can, and we don't throw out numbers at random.

We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used and explained how we used them.

Source	Why It's Authoritative	How We Used It
CSO RPPI	Ireland's official statistics agency for housing.	We anchored national and regional price levels. We treat CSO as baseline truth for prices.
Property Price Register	Government database of actual sales prices.	We used it as transaction reality check. We validated local markets have sufficient sales.
Daft.ie House Price Report	Ireland's largest property portal.	We described price momentum and supply context. We triangulated against CSO transaction data.
RTB/ESRI Rent Index	Ground truth for rents actually paid.	We cross-checked rent trends against advertised rents. We kept asking vs achieved rents honest.
Gov.ie Rent Pressure Zones	Official rent-cap rules statement.	We explained regulatory changes affecting landlords. We flagged legally constrained rent growth.
Revenue Stamp Duty	Tax authority's definitive source.	We set acquisition-cost expectations. We kept yield discussions realistic after costs.
NTA Projects	Main body planning transport investments.	We identified areas benefiting from upgrades. We separated real catalysts from speculation.
MetroLink	Primary source for Dublin's metro project.	We highlighted station catchments for price uplift. We grounded forecasts in official timelines.
Inside Airbnb	Transparent STR research dataset.	We grounded oversaturation claims with listing counts. We avoided hand-wavy concentration statements.
Dublin City Council STR	Local authority enforcing STR regulations.	We explained why Airbnb yield isn't purely demand-driven. We defined high enforcement-risk zones.