Irish homes for sale at British show

The Irish property market took its product to Britain this weekend in a bid to entice more sterling buyers to join a growing trek to Ireland.

An exhibition was staged in a London hotel in a bid to take advantage of a changing pattern in the Anglo-Irish property world relationship.

Mark FitzGerald, head of Sherry FitzGerald, one of Ireland’s biggest estate agents, said: “There is now a substantial interest in the Irish house market emanating from Britain – particularly from them south-east of England.

“In the past six years alone, 170,000 people have moved to Ireland, either Irish people coming back, or British coming to live here for the first time.

“So we are moving the market to London for the weekend to help meet this demand.”

Mr FitzGerald said a significant proportion of those shifting from Britain to Ireland were young people.

“Of the 170,000 roughly about 125,000 are returning Irish, and the others are United Kingdom nationals coming here for the first time – often after forming relationships with Irish people.”

Homes on offer at the London show at the Copthorne Hotel, Kensington were from all parts of Ireland. “We have 5,000 second-hand properties and the same number of new ones,” said Mr FitzGerald.

“This is the second year of the exhibition. Last year we were very surprised at the huge number of visitors showing genuine interest.

“What you often see these days are ’sold’ signs coming down from properties in Ireland and shortly afterwards a UK-registered car moving in with a family.

“People are attracted by the vibrancy of our cities and the quality of life in regional Ireland, as well as our educational system.

“While they are moving into the cities, traditional areas like Cork and Kerry and any coastal locations are proving particularly attractive.

“The exchange rate is also good. And since Tony Blair became Prime Minister, UK property prices have doubled.

“For someone living in the Greater London area, where the average house price is now €400,000, it is possible to move to Ireland, buy a house and put money in your pocket.

“It may be difficult to believe, but that is what is happening.”

One of the less likely Irish properties on sale in London this weekend was a one-time Church of Ireland church on the outskirts of Navan, Co Meath. It was available at just €70,000.