A new report from property advisor Savills Ireland reveals that the prime country homes market in Ireland saw an unprecedented surge in transactions during the first half of 2023.
The market recorded its highest volumes since data collection began in 2010, Savills Ireland noted, reaching a total of €105m to mark an 8.7% year-on-year increase.
Kildare took the lead with 14.8% of the sales, closely followed by Wicklow at 14.5% and Cork at 11.2%.
Savills noted that 31% of the buyers were international, with a strong representation from the UK and the US.
69% of the transactions were made by cash buyers, it added.
James Butler, Head of Country Agency at Savills Ireland, said that last year showed a strong drive towards work-from-home trends in regions farther from Dublin.
But this year he said the market is seeing a more moderate trend, especially with counties like Kildare and Wicklow - indicating a bounce back towards the Dublin area.
The influence of remote working remains a significant driver in many parts of the country, however, he added.
"Prime country homes, with their appealing blend of space, privacy and connection to nature, continue to be in high demand," Mr Butler said.
"The increasing inclination of buyers towards eco-conscious decisions, particularly properties with expansive land for projects like rewilding, stands out. As global ecological awareness intensifies, this is expected to be a primary trend in upcoming years," he added.
