Increase in new builds but vacant and derelict buildings remain highest in the north west

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

The latest quarterly figures released in the GeoDirectory Buildings Report reveals the north west remains the area with the highest number of vacant and derelict buildings.

While there has been a 33,002 (23pc) year on year increase in residential address points nationwide there remains 80,328 residential buildings listed as vacant and a further 19,821 residential buildings listed as derelict, 2.9% lower than June of last year.

The highest residential vacancy rates continue to be found in the north and west. Leitrim, at 11.9pc was the county with the highest vacancy rate, followed by Mayo (10.6pc), Roscommon (10.1pc), Donegal (9pc) and Sligo (8.4pc).

The national average vacancy rate in Q2 2025 was 3.7%, with 80,328 residential properties recorded as vacant in June. Leitrim, at 11.9% was the county with the highest vacancy rate, while Dublin (1.1%) had the lowest. 19,821 residential buildings were classified as derelict in June 2025, a decrease of 2.9% on the same period last year.

According to the report, derelict address points continue to be concentrated along the west coast, with over a third of derelict residential buildings located in Connacht.

The report also revealed there were 23,869 residential buildings under construction across the country in June 2025, up 9.2% compared to June 2024.

The total number of buildings under construction nationally in June was up 9.2pc, or by 2,018 buildings, compared to June 2024. Of the 23,869 residential buildings under construction last month, 16.7pc were located in Dublin.

Commenting on the findings of the latest GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report, Dara Keogh, CEO of GeoDirectory said, “While we've seen a significant increase in new residential address points, which is a testament to ongoing construction and development, the market continues to navigate complex issues. We continue to see low levels of vacancy in the residential property sector at 3.7pc and average house prices continue to rise, now at €420,469. This reflects persistent demand, even as we observe a slight decrease in overall property transactions.”