*Photograph: Joe Buckley
SHANNON has the highest commercial vacancy rate in Ireland while the county’s figure is above the national average.
Standing at 16 percent for the month of June, the commercial vacancy rate in Clare is above the national average of 14.5 percent. This is the eighth highest of the twenty six counties included in the analysis which is prepared by EY.
From the second quarter of 2025 to the same time period this year, Clare’s vacancy rate has increased by 0.2 percent.
Recording the highest commercial vacancy in the country was Shannon at 34.9 percent followed followed by Ballybofey, Co. Donegal at 34.5%, and Boyle, Co. Roscommon at 30.1%.The Shannon figure has risen by 4.1 percent with only Cobh (4.4%) recording a bigger jump.
Kilrush had the thirteenth highest vacancy rate at 23.2 percent which is down one percent on last year.
Ennis’ commercial vacancy is 17.8 percent, according to the new GeoDirectory Commercial Vacancy Rates Report.
Published on a bi‑annual basis, the report relies solely on the GeoDirectory database of commercial address points for its information.
Nationally, the commercial vacancy rate dropped marginally by 0.1 percentage points (pp) year-on-year to 14.5% 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.
A total of 30,611 commercial properties were classified as vacant across the country in Q2 2026
Dara Keogh, CEO of GeoDirectory, said of the findings, “The national commercial vacancy rate has edged down slightly to 14.5%, 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”.
Simon MacAllister, Partner at EY Ireland said, “While the decline in the national commercial vacancy rates is modest, it is significant as it marks a break from a long period of steadily rising commercial vacancies since 2013. The data highlights a growing divide between areas benefiting from population growth, employment and investment, particularly in the East, and those that continue to face challenges sustaining commercial activity, especially in the West and Northwest. This underlines the need for sustained investment and policy measures to support town centre vitality and long-term economic growth”.
