Mayo commercial vacancy rate rises to 17.9%, well above national average

Commercial vacancy rates in Mayo have increased to 17.9%, placing the county well above the national average and reflecting ongoing challenges facing town centres across the region.

The latest GeoDirectory Commercial Buildings Report for Q4 2025, prepared by EY, shows that Mayo’s vacancy rate rose by 0.4 percentage points compared to December 2024.

Nationally, the commercial vacancy rate increased by 0.1 percentage points to 14.6% in the 12 months to December 2025 — the highest rate recorded since GeoDirectory began tracking the data in 2013. 

In total, there were 30,687 vacant commercial units across Ireland at the end of 2025.

Ballina and Westport contrast

Of the Mayo towns surveyed, Ballina recorded the highest commercial vacancy rate at 23.1%, while Westport had the lowest in the county at 13.7%.

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Across the country, Sligo (20.8%) had the highest county vacancy rate, followed closely by Donegal (20.6%) and Galway (18.7%). 

Connacht was the province most affected, with an overall vacancy rate of 18.6%, ahead of Ulster (17.3%), Munster (14.3%) and Leinster (13.2%).

Meath recorded the lowest county vacancy rate nationally at 10.0%.

Record high nationally

The report analysed 80 towns nationwide along with 22 Dublin postal districts. Shannon, Co. Clare, recorded the highest vacancy rate in the country at 34.5%, while Carrigaline, Co. Cork, had the lowest at 5.1%.

Dublin’s overall commercial vacancy rate stood at 13.5%, remaining below the national average.

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Commenting on the findings, GeoDirectory CEO Dara Keogh said “the continued upward trajectory of commercial vacancy rates is an indicator of several economic factors which have been developing for a number of years.

“The changing needs of businesses and consumers, and the subsequent impact on commercial property, should be closely considered to ensure the best utilisation of these spaces in the future.” 

Simon MacAllister, Partner at EY, said that while vacancy rates have edged higher, this is within the context of a commercial property base of more than 210,000 units nationwide.

“While there are structural challenges in some regions, it is encouraging that nine of the fifteen towns with the highest vacancy levels recorded year on year improvements,” he added. “This indicates that local efforts to revitalise town centres, along with natural commercial turnover, can have a positive impact.”

The latest figures will add to ongoing discussions around town centre regeneration, retail challenges and the future use of commercial properties in Mayo’s urban centres.