Mayo records highest percentage of derelict houses in Ireland

New data released has revealed that Mayo has recorded the highest number of derelict properties in Ireland, as well as the second highest number of vacant residential properties.

The figures, from the Geodirectory Residential Buildings report for the tail end of 2024, show that 14 percent of the country’s 20,092 derelict houses are in the county.

Furthermore, 10.6 percent of homes in Mayo were recorded as vacant, which is 2.78 times the national average of 3.8 percent. Only Leitrim, recorded a higher rate, with 11.8 percent. Dublin recorded the lowest rate of 1.2 percent.

In total, 80,689 homes in Ireland lay vacant in late 2024.

Mayo was one of 12 counties with vacancy rates that fell below the Irish average, with almost all of these counties in the west of Ireland.

The county ranked quite highly in terms of value for money when purchasing a home. Mayo was sixth on the list, and an average home here costs €233,019.

Rent prices were low compared to the rest of the country as well. Mayo ranked fourth, averaging €1,061 in RTB rent figures from Q2 2024.

Westport recorded the highest average home price for the county at €314,737, almost doubling the €160,465 average price in Ballyhaunis.

According to the research, both Ballyhaunis and Ballinrobe were two of just 14 towns in Ireland where none of the homes sold were new builds.

In Castlebar, 15.4 percent of houses purchased were newly built.