Leitrim holds onto top spot for vacant buildings as national rate drops

Leitrim continues to hold the highest number of vacant homes in Ireland, despite an overall drop in derelict properties nationwide.

According to the latest GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report, the highest residential vacancy rates remain concentrated along the North and West coast, with Leitrim standing out at 11.9 percent. 

This makes it the county with the most significant vacancy issue in the country.

Nationally, the average vacancy rate in Q2 2025 was 3.7 percent, with 80,328 residential properties recorded as vacant in June 2025. 

Over the past twelve months, vacancy rates fell in 17 counties, pointing to some improvement. Dublin recorded the lowest vacancy rate at 1.1 percent.

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Construction activity also rose nationally, increasing by 9.2 percent in June (2,018 buildings) compared with June 2024. 

However, Leitrim lags far behind, together with Longford, the two counties saw fewer than 150 buildings under construction in total, highlighting the region’s lack of building momentum.

Neighbouring counties also remain among the highest in terms of vacancy: Mayo (10.6 percent), Roscommon (10.1 percent), Donegal (9 percent) and Sligo (8.4 percent). 

More than a third of all derelict residential buildings in Ireland are located in Connacht, at 38.2 percent.

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Meanwhile, house prices are on the rise everywhere. The national average price jumped by 9.8 percent to €420,469, according to CSO figures. 

Dublin remains the most expensive market, with an average property transaction price of €585,754, while Leitrim sits at the opposite end of the spectrum, with the lowest average price in the country at €204,323.