Commercial Vacancy Rates In Wicklow Towns Fall Just Below National Average

Greystones' relative prosperity may be highlighted by low instances of commercial vacancy but the rates are considerably higher in Arklow according to the latest survey by GeoDirectory with a marginal increase in Wicklow year on year.

The commercial vacancy rate in Wicklow towns stood at 13.1% in June 2025, which was lower than the national average of 14.6%, according to GeoDirectory' sCommercial Vacancy Rates Report today (25/9/25).

Compared to the same period in 2024, the commercial vacancy rate in Wicklow increased by 0.2 percentage points.

Of the 80 main towns and urban areas surveyed by GeoDirectory nationally, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal registered the highest commercial vacancy rate at 33.7%. At the other end of the scale, Carrigaline, Co. Cork (5.1%) and Greystones, Co. Wicklow (5.5%) were the towns with the lowest vacancy rates.

Of the urban areas in Wicklow surveyed, Arklow had the highest commercial vacancy rate (16.4%), while Greystones had the lowest (5.5%)

The analysis, prepared by EY, found that the national commercial vacancy rate reached a new high of 14.6% in June 2025, with a total of 30,800 commercial units classified as vacant across the State.

In total, the commercial vacancy rate increased in 17 out of 26 counties surveyed.

NACE Percentage Breakdown by Town –Q2 2025

The highest commercial vacancy rates continue to be found in the west of the country with Sligo, at 20.8%, recording the highest proportion of vacant commercial units in Q2 2025. Donegal (20.3%), Galway (18.7%), Leitrim (18%) and Limerick (17.9%) rounded off the top five counties with the highest commercial vacancy rates.

13 counties had a vacancy rate below the national vacancy rate of 14.6%. Meath, at 10%, was the county with the lowest commercial vacancy rate in the country and the only county in the State with a vacancy rate not above 10%. Wexford (10.6%), Westmeath (12.2%), Kerry (12.2%) and Cork (12.5%) were the counties to record the next lowest commercial vacancy rates.

In Dublin, the commercial vacancy rate was 13.9% in Q2 2025, an increase of 0.6 pp compared to the previous year. Despite its increase, Dublin's vacancy rate is still below the national average (14.6%).

Commenting on the findings of the latest GeoDirectory Commercial Buildings Report, Dara Keogh, CEO of GeoDirectory, said, “The national commercial vacancy rate has reached a new high of 14.6% in Q2 2025, the highest level recorded by GeoDirectory, continuing the trend of increasing commercial vacancy experienced in recent years. There are now 30,800 commercial units across the country currently vacant, a reminder that our commercial landscape as well as consumer behaviour is shifting.”

Annette Hughes, Director at EY Economic Advisory, said, “In Q2 2025, the commercial property vacancy rate rose in 17 out of the 26 counties, continuing a trend of more than half of the counties experiencing an increase in vacancy rates. Overall the commercial vacancy rate is continuing its upward trajectory at the same time as residential vacancy rates have reached historic lows. This trend highlights the significant challenges and market dynamics commercial businesses have faced in recent years, in spite of the strong overall economic performance of the Irish economy. Evolving shopping preferences and ongoing cost pressures on businesses and households continue to impact the sector, although the extent of their influence will vary depending on factors such as location and sector.”