Donald Trump victory sees surge in US citizens searching Irish property website

President-elect Donald Trump. Many despondent Americans appear to have been researching potential moves abroad. Picture: AP

The number of US-based visitors to the property website MyHome.ie spiked by 120% in the wake of Donald Trump's US presidential election last week, according to new figures.

In the five days leading up to last Tuesday, November 5, there were 5,003 visits to MyHome.ie from IP addresses located in the US. In the five days after the election, a spokesperson for the site confirmed this figure rose to 11,023.

Indeed, in the hours and days since it was confirmed that Donald Trump would be returning to the White house, many despondent Americans appear to have been researching potential moves abroad.

Google searches of the term "move to Canada" surged 1,270% in the 24 hours after polls closed on the east coast of the US last Tuesday, while similar searches on moves to New Zealand and Australia climbed nearly 2,000% and 820%, respectively.

Messaging boards such as the "r/AmerExit" subreddit of Reddit.com have also been flooded with posts from Americans enquiring about getting visas and jobs in the EU, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and elsewhere.

MyHome.ie’s managing director Joanne Geary said the spike in visits suggests “that more Americans are interested in what the Irish property market offers them”.

On Monday, exchange rates listed €1 as being worth $1.07, the lowest level since June.

“The strengthening of the dollar in recent days would be an added incentive for potential US buyers of property here," Ms Geary added.

"It remains to be seen if this trend continues in the coming weeks; however, any additional demand for property here would undoubtedly cause further strain on the country’s limited stock of supply."

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The apparent spike in enthusiasm for emigration echoes the interest Americans showed towards moving abroad after Mr Trump won the presidency back in 2016.

However, Mr Trump's 2024 election followed a particularly divisive campaign. According to Edison Research poll data, nearly 75% of US voters said they felt as though American democracy was under threat in the recent presidential election.

Trump’s Republican party has also taken control of the US Senate, and, as of the morning of Monday, November 11, was just four seats short of a majority in the House of Representatives, with 18 races still uncalled.