Irish House Prices Rise 7% in January, Driven by Supply Shortages
Ireland’s residential property prices increased by 7% in the year to January 2026, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). This marks an increase from the 6.9% recorded in the year to December 2025, signaling continued upward pressure on the housing market.
Regional Variations in Price Growth
The CSO data reveals significant regional disparities in house price inflation. Dublin experienced a 6.1% increase in property values in January, even as prices outside the capital city rose by a more substantial 7.7% over the same period.
Dublin Market Breakdown
Within Dublin, house prices increased by 5.6% in January, while apartment prices saw a larger gain of 7.8%. Dublin City recorded the highest growth at 8%, followed by Fingal at 3.8%.
Strongest Growth Outside Dublin
The Midlands region (Laois, Longford, Offaly, and Westmeath) experienced the most significant house price growth, with an increase of 15.9%. The Border region (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, and Sligo) also saw strong growth at 10.2%. In contrast, the Mid-West (Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary) experienced the lowest growth at 5.6%.
Median House Prices and Eircode Analysis
The median price of a home purchased in the 12 months to January was €389,986. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown had the highest median price at €680,000, while Donegal recorded the lowest at €195,000.
Analyzing prices by Eircode, the most expensive area was A94 (Blackrock, Dublin) with a median price of €840,000, while F45 (Castlerea, Roscommon) had the lowest at €153,000.
Transaction Volume and Value
A total of 3,781 home purchases were filed with Revenue in January 2026, a slight decrease of 0.5% compared to the 3,801 purchases in January 2025. The total value of these transactions reached €1.66 billion, comprising €1.14 billion for existing homes and €516.9 million for new homes.
Expert Commentary
Trevor Grant, chairperson of Irish Mortgage Advisors, noted that the housing market is gaining momentum as spring approaches, potentially driving further price increases in the coming months. He emphasized that regions like the Midlands and Border are experiencing significantly higher inflation rates than the national average. [RTÉ]
Grant also highlighted the frustration and despair felt by locals in rural areas as they are increasingly priced out of their home towns and villages. He attributed the primary driver of Irish house price inflation to the shortage of homes, coupled with pent-up demand and a growing population, advocating for accelerated housing delivery. [RTÉ]
CSO Data and Future Supply
The CSO’s figures indicate a steady pipeline of approved developments, suggesting potential future growth in housing supply. But, Grant stressed the importance of translating these permissions into actual construction. [RTÉ]
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