Why US buyers are flocking to premium Irish estates

Ireland’s country homes market outperformed with a strong finish in 2025, writes Roseanne De Vere Hunt

Sale in train: The beautiful Coolmain Castle in Kilbrittain, Co Cork, had an asking price of €7.5m.

AFTER a sluggish start to the year, Ireland’s country homes, farms, and estates market staged an impressive comeback in 2025, proving its resilience and enduring appeal. Severe winter storms and snow in the first quarter kept buyers and sellers on hold, but the market roared back to life after Easter, setting the stage for one of the most active second halves in recent memory.

By autumn, pent-up demand collided with renewed international interest — particularly from US buyers — creating a surge in transactions that extended well into the winter months. Traditionally a quieter season, this year’s winter defied expectations, with heightened activity driven by robust buyer confidence and a scarcity of premium properties.