Leitrim sees rise in commercial vacancy rate despite national drop, report finds

The commercial vacancy rate in Leitrim was recorded at 18.1 per cent in June 2026, which is higher than the national average of 14.5 per cent.

Of the urban areas in Leitrim surveyed, Carrick-On-Shannon had a commercial vacancy rate of 15.8 per cent.

This is according to the new GeoDirectory Commercial Vacancy Rates Report, which was released on August 26.

The analysis, prepared by EY, found that the commercial vacancy rate in Leitrim increased by 0.1 percentage points compared to the same period in 2025.

Nationally, the commercial vacancy rate dropped marginally by 0.1 percentage points (pp) year-on-year to 14.5 per cent in Q2 2026. This is the first time the commercial vacancy rate has experienced an annual decline since GeoDirectory began reporting this data in 2013.

Donegal recorded the highest vacancy rate in the State at 20.7 per cent, meaning more than one in five commercial properties in the county lie vacant. Sligo (20.2 per cent), Galway (18.6 per cent), Leitrim and Limerick (both 18.1 per cent) made up the remainder of the top five highest county vacancy rates, with all five Connacht counties featuring in the top seven nationwide.

A total of 30,611 commercial properties were classified as vacant across the country in Q2 2026. The highest commercial vacancy rates were concentrated in the West and North-West of the country.

At the other end of the spectrum, Meath recorded the lowest commercial vacancy rate in the country at 9.9 per cent, the only county under the 10 per cent mark. Wexford (11.2 per cent), Westmeath (12 per cent), Kerry (12.3 per cent), and Cavan (12.7 per cent) rounded out the counties with the lowest rates. Thirteen counties had a vacancy rate below the national vacancy rate of 14.5 per cent.

Nationally, Shannon, Co Clare registered the highest commercial vacancy rate at 34.9 per cent, followed by Ballybofey, Co Donegal at 34.5 per cent, and Boyle, Co Roscommon at 30.1 per cent.

Carrigaline, Co Cork (5.1 per cent) and Greystones, Co. Wicklow (7.3 per cent) recorded the lowest commercial vacancy rates among the sampled towns.

Commenting on the findings of the latest GeoDirectory Commercial Buildings Report, Dara Keogh, CEO of GeoDirectory, said, “The national commercial vacancy rate has edged down slightly to 14.5 per cent, marking our first year-on-year drop since GeoDirectory began reporting on this data in 2013, the broader picture remains one of significant local variance.

“With over 30,611 commercial units lying vacant across the country and 13 counties still seeing vacancy increases, commercial property owners and local high streets need to continue to adapt to shifting consumer habits.”