• Estate agents predict an average increase of 7% in house values nationwide for 2025, with 10% increases expected in Donegal, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Offaly, Cork City, Sligo and North Co. Wicklow

• Lower price increases of 3-5% expected in counties Carlow, Clare, Galway, Cork, Limerick, Louth, Meath, Roscommon and Tipperary

• Lack of supply will push prices up in 2025 but overall increase is unlikely to match 2024’s average rise of 10.3%

• Mohill, Ballinamore and Ballyconnell among most affordable areas for three bed semi-detached houses

A lack of supply, falling interest rates and increased competition for property will continue to push up house values in the year ahead, according to the 2025 Sunday Times Nationwide Property Price Guide, in partnership with AIB.

The dedicated 32-page supplement, now in its 23^rd year, will be published free with The Sunday Times this Sunday, 12^th January.

The Sunday Times Nationwide Property Price Guide is the authoritative guide to the Irish property market, featuring interviews with a number of estate agents from around the country who outline their predictions for the year ahead. It also includes a detailed analysis of property prices for a wide variety of house types across all of the nation’s postcodes.

Nationally, estate agents expect property values to rise by an average of 7% this year, as a shortage of homes, falling interest rates and increased competition for property increases prices. This is good news for home owners looking to sell but makes it more difficult for first-time buyers to get on the market.

Key insights include:

• Asian buyers are active in Galway City and Counties Roscommon and Cavan, with many workers from Cavan General Hospital purchasing homes

• The Greater Dublin Area (counties such as Meath, Kildare and Wicklow) saw an increase in new home construction in 2024, which will continue in 2025 and will help alleviate pressure

• In Cork City, three-bedroom semi-detached homes on the Model Farm Road are expected to hit the €510,000 mark this year (up from an average of €450,000 in 2024). In Ballinlough, three-bedroom semi-detached homes will hit €530,000 (up from €490,000)

• Persistently low supply and a dearth of new developments is likely to exert continued upward pressure on prices in Co. Galway

• Construction delays, driven by high material costs and labour shortages, may limit the availability of new homes in Limerick in 2025, a local agent says

The Sunday Times Nationwide Property Price Guide also reveals that the top ten most affordable examples of three-bed, semi-detached houses are in the following locations:

1. Mohill, Co. Leitrim – €155,000
2. Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim – €160,000
3. Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan – €160,000
4. Castlerea, Co. Roscommon – €160,000
5. Strokestown, Co. Roscommon – €165,000
6. Boyle, Co. Roscommon – €170,000
7. Ballymote / Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo – €170,000
8. Letterkenny, Co. Donegal – €180,000 (on average)
9. Granard, Co. Longford – €175,000
10. Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford – €180,000

The predicted price increases for the provinces in 2025 are:

• Connacht: Agents predict an average increase in house values of 6.5%

• Leinster: Agents are predicting an average increase of 6.7% in house values

• Munster: Agents predict that house values will increase by an average of 6%

• Ulster (counties within Republic of Ireland): Estate agents across Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan predict an average hike in values of 7% across the three counties

Sorcha Corcoran, editor of The Sunday Times Nationwide Property Price Guide, says: “The property market around the country last year was a classic case of the law of supply and demand in action. Home buyers were out in force competing for the disappointing amount of new-builds and second-hand properties that went up for sale. The net result – combined with other factors such as population growth and high employment – was higher-than-expected hikes in prices everywhere.”

• Property values in Dublin 3 and Dublin 5 predicted to rise by as much as 12%

• Estate agents predicting an average 6.25% price increase across all Dublin postcodes

• Ballsbridge, Donnybrook and Sandymount in Dublin 4 and Ranelagh and Milltown in Dublin 6 remain the most expensive areas in Dublin for three-bedroom houses while Neilstown, Ballymun and Killinarden / Kiltipper are the most affordable

• Dublin estate agents say a lack of supply will continue to drive up prices in 2025

• Asian buyers snapping up homes in Dublin 14 and Dublin 18

Dublin estate agents expect property values in the capital to rise by an average of 6.25% this year, as a shortage of homes, falling interest rates and increased competition for property all contribute to price increases, according to The Sunday Times Dublin Property Price Guide for 2025, in partnership with AIB.

The dedicated 28-page supplement, now in its 23rd year, will be published free with The Sunday Times today – Sunday, 5^th January.

The Sunday Times Dublin Property Price Guide is the authoritative guide to the Dublin property market, and features interviews with a number of Dublin estate agents who outline their predictions for the year. It also includes a detailed analysis of property prices for a wide variety of house types across all postcodes in the capital.

Key insights include:

• Dublin estate agents expect that a lack of supply will continue to push up house values in the year ahead, with prices predicted to rise by an average of 6.25% this year. However property values in Dublin 3 and Dublin 5 are expected to rise by as much as 12%.

• In 2024, the sale price of some renovated former council houses in Dublin 12 approached and breached the €500,000 mark in some cases.

• Home buyers battled it out for homes in walk-in condition due to a shortage of builders, high construction costs and a demand for energy-efficient homes.

• Asian buyers have become a prominent feature of postcodes Dublin 14 and Dublin 18, many of them cash buyers.

• However, there is some light on the horizon this year as some estate agents expect rental prices to remain static in 2025.

The Sunday Times Property Price Guide also reveals that the top five most expensive examples of three-bed, semi-detached houses in Dublin are in the following locations:

1. Ballsbridge – €1.1 million
2. Sandymount – €1.1 million
3. Milltown – €950,000
4. Ranelagh – €990,000
5. Rathmines – €810,000

The top five most affordable examples of three-bed, semi-detached houses are unveiled as:

1. Neilstown – €265,000
2. Springfield, Tallaght – €300,000
3. Darndale – €320,000
4. Ballymun – €325,000
5. Killinarden / Kiltipper – €330,000

Sorcha Corcoran, editor of The Sunday Times Dublin Property Price Guide, says: “Buying a home in Dublin in 2024 was not for the faint-hearted as price inflation took hold across the capital at rates that came as a big surprise to most estate agents – never mind buyers and sellers. Demand outstripping supply is the root cause of the rise in values over the past year. The crux of the issue in 2024 was that the property category most in demand – A-grade family homes in walk-in condition, either new builds or existing properties that had been modernised – was in short supply. This translated into fierce competition among buyers and ultimately premium prices.”

The Sunday Times Dublin Property Price Guide, in association with AIB, will be followed by The Sunday Times Nationwide Property Price Guide which will be published on Sunday, 12 January.

For full details, pick up a copy of The Sunday Times this weekend or online at thesundaytimes.ie/dublinpropertyprices

For more information visit thesundaytimes.ie/dublinpropertyprices or follow The Sunday Times Ireland on Twitter @ST__Ireland,

Instagram @sundaytimesireland

Facebook @thesundaytimesIE and LinkedIn @The Sunday Times Ireland

• 16 advertisements across Online, Social Media, Email and Radio advertising were found to be in breach of the Advertising Standards Authority Code on grounds related to a range of issues including Recognisability, Misleading, Promotional Marketing, Children, Alcoholic Drinks and Decency and Propriety

The Advertising Standards Authority’s independent Complaints Council has released its latest Complaints Bulletin which contains 20 case reports on complaints recently investigated by the organisation.

16 of the 20 cases were upheld in full. Advertisements across Online, Social Media, Email and Radio were found to be in breach of the Advertising Standards Authority Code on grounds related to Recognisability, Misleading, Promotional Marketing, Children, Alcoholic Drinks and Decency and Propriety. The Advertising Standards Authority chose not to uphold four complaints.

The Complaints Council is a completely independent arm of the Advertising Standards Authority and is responsible for considering and adjudicating on complaints submitted by the public, by an organisation, by a Government Department, or any other person or body. The Council is made up of a range of experts from the advertising, media, education, consumer, and marketing sectors. See further details here – https://adstandards.ie/about-us/

Commenting on the latest Advertising Standards Authority rulings, Orla Twomey, Chief Executive of the Advertising Standards Authority, stated: “The primary mission of the Advertising Standards Authority is to protect consumers from advertising that is harmful, offensive, or misleading. Our recent complaints bulletin emphasises our essential role in ensuring that advertising in Ireland is honest, decent, truthful, and compliant with the Code of Standards.

We are deeply committed to fostering accountability and compliance in the Irish advertising sector. This includes not only removing advertisements that are breach the Code, but also proactively educating both brands and consumers on advertising standards. By doing so, we aim to build and maintain trust in the advertising sector.

To assist advertisers, we offer a free and confidential copy advice service, guiding them in creating responsible and compliant advertisements. This service provides invaluable guidance for advertisers and agencies who may have questions or concerns about the compliance of their marketing communications. We encourage anyone in the industry to take advantage of this resource to ensure their advertising is both responsible and effective.”

Below is a list of 16 advertisements that have been found to be in breach of the Advertising Standards Authority Code:

Four complaints were not upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority

The Advertising Standards Authority conducts ongoing monitoring of advertising across all media and since 2007, has examined over 27,000 advertisements, with an overall compliance rate of 98 percent. The Advertising Standards Authority Monitoring Service monitors compliance with the Complaints Council’s adjudications.

Media are reminded that advertisements found to be in breach of the Code cannot be accepted for publication.

Visit adstandards.ie to learn more

To keep up to date on Advertising Standards Authority activity, follow the organisation on:

X                      @AdStandardsIRE

Instagram        @adstandardsireland

LinkedIn          @Ad-Standards-Ireland

• The Magic of Christmas Appeal raises funds for charity partners Barnardos, Barretstown, Make-A-Wish Ireland and a range of children’s charities across Ireland making a difference in local communities
• Christmas FM is asking you to help Give the Gift of Childhood to children who need it most this Donation Day

Christmas FM, the beloved radio station that raises funds for charity and Switches Christmas On across Ireland every year, will be running its annual Donation Day tomorrow to raise funds for The Magic of Christmas Appeal, a not-for-profit fundraising initiative that raises funds for Barnardos, Barretstown, Make-A-Wish Ireland and a range of children’s charities across Ireland making a difference in local communities through Community Foundation Ireland.

On Thursday, 19^th December, join Christmas FM for a 12 hour long festive radiothon from 7am – 7pm, jam packed with Christmas hits and seasonal goodwill! This Donation Day, Christmas FM is asking listeners to help Give the Gift of Childhood to children who need it most, because every child deserves Magic at Christmas. Donations can be made through www.christmasfm.com or by calling 0818 911 977

The Magic of Christmas was launched in 2022, with the aim of raising €1,000,000 over a three-year period for the charities. The Magic of Christmas fundraising appeal raised almost €325,000 last year for the charities, with donations raised between 2022 and 2023 totalling €618,706 overall.

Here’s an example of what a listener’s donation can do:

• €50 will provide one hour of vital medical care in the ‘Med Shed’ for a child who is sick at Barretstown
• €100 could help a child be warm again by providing a ‘Winter Warmer’ pack with a waterproof coat, hat, gloves and scarf
• €200 can help towards the granting of a wish for a seriously-ill child in your community, to make a lasting difference to their quality of life and well-being

The funds raised will go directly towards helping vulnerable children in our communities affected by traumatic life events such as poverty, abuse, neglect and bereavement, and to supporting children whose lives are affected by serious childhood illness. So by donating to The Magic of Christmas this Donation Day, you will….

Give the Gift of Childhood to 5,000 children who need it most, because every 

child deserves Magic at Christmas.

Paul Shepherd, Co-Founder of Christmas FM, says: “This year marks our 17^th year Switching Christmas On across Ireland. Since our launch in 2008, we’ve raised over €3.5 million for various charities nationwide – which is a huge milestone for us. With the incredible support of our listeners and fans, we’re committed to continuing this tradition of giving. While we’ve been fundraising throughout the festive season and will carry on while we’re on FM, Donation Day is especially important. It’s our chance to maximise support for The Magic of Christmas Appeal and we’re calling on everyone to tune in, donate, and join us in making a difference!”

Commenting on Donation Day, the charity partners jointly said: “We are delighted to be working with The Magic of Christmas Appeal for the third consecutive year. Last year’s incredible support made a profound difference to children across Ireland, and we’re very much looking forward to Donation Day on Thursday, 19^th December. We hope Christmas FM listeners and fans will join us by donating whatever they can to help transform the lives of children in communities across Ireland. With the generosity of listeners, we can Give the Gift of Childhood to those who need it most, because every child really does deserve magic at Christmas.”

Christmas FM is presented on air each year by a team of volunteers who devote hundreds of hours of their time assisted by a core management team. Meanwhile, the costs of running the station are covered by various sponsors, ensuring listener donations go directly to the fundraising initiative. This year the station’s premier FM sponsors are Coca Cola, An Post and Cadbury.

Christmas FM is broadcasting from The Clayton Hotel, Liffey Valley who have kindly donated their studio space again this year.

The main FM radio frequencies for Christmas FM are:

• Cavan   92.8 FM
• Clare 105.2 FM
• Cork City, Part County   106.7 FM
• Cork North, Part County 87.7 FM
• Drogheda & Dundalk 104.2 FM
• Dublin City & County 105.2 FM
• Galway City 87.9 FM
• Kildare North 88.1 FM
• Kilkenny City 104.3 FM
• Letterkenny 106.2 FM
• Limerick City 105.5 FM
• Longford 99.8 FM
• Sligo Town 95.0 FM
• South East 103.8 FM
• Tralee/Killarney 105.0 FM
• Waterford City   105.9 FM
• Wicklow – Bray area 99.5 FM
• Wicklow – Wicklow Town 106.6 FM

Christmas FM is also available on the Christmas FM app, smart speakers, Virgin Media

Channel 900 and eir TV

Find out all the ways to listen at https://christmasfm.com/listenin/

You can follow the station on social at:

@christmasfm

Christmas FM – Bringing You the Magic of Christmas

themagicofchristmas.ie

You can follow The Magic of Christmas on social at:

@supportthemagic

• Books by Donal Ryan, Eilish Fisher and illustrator Dermot Flynn, Graham Norton, Jane Casey, Johnny Sexton and Seán Ronayne nominated for significant accolade

• Winner will be revealed during one-hour television special on RTÉ One presented by Oliver Callan on Thursday, 19^th December

Books by Donal Ryan, Eilish Fisher and illustrator Dermot Flynn, Graham Norton, Jane Casey, Johnny Sexton and Seán Ronayne are in the running for the accolade of ‘An Post Irish Book of the Year 2024’.

The six titles competing for the overall An Post Irish Book of the Year Award were drawn from the category winners at the An Post Irish Book Awards, and were chosen on the principle of the highest number of votes secured during the shortlist voting process across all categories.

The six nominated titles are category winners of the Eason Novel of the Year, the Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year (Senior), the Ireland AM Popular Fiction Book of the Year, the Irish Independent Crime Fiction Book of the Year, the Eason Sports Book of the Year and the Dubray Biography of the Year:

Heart, Be at Peace – Donal Ryan (Doubleday, Penguin Random House)

• In Heart, Be at Peace, which can be read independently, Donal picks up the twenty-one voices from The Spinning Heart ten years on, in 2019. Small-town Ireland has rebounded from the economic crash, with work restored and past struggles seemingly behind. However, beneath the surface, old and new grudges are simmering, and a new threat is quietly emerging. As young people are lured by the allure of quick money, the older generation battles an intangible enemy, setting the stage for a community on the brink of turmoil.

Fia and the Last Snow Deer – Eilish Fisher, illustrated by Dermot Flynn (Puffin, Penguin Random House Children’s

• Fia and the Last Snow Deer is described as a powerful and beautiful debut verse novel set in snowy pre-historic Ireland, brought to life with stunning illustrations from Dermot Flynn. Fia and her snow deer, Solas, share a deep bond, but their village, trapped in an eternal winter, believes Solas is key to fulfilling a prophecy that demands a devastating sacrifice to restore sunlight. Refusing to allow the worst to happen, Fia and her cousin Mish, alongside Solas, flee into the wilderness to seek the mythical Deer Mother, who holds the power to awaken the sun. Facing harsh landscapes and lurking dangers, the pair must navigate risky choices that will determine the fate of their village and their beloved companion.

Frankie – Graham Norton (Coronet)

• Frankie is described as a dazzling, richly woven story by Graham Norton, spanning decades and continents. It follows Frankie Powell, a woman who has spent her life on the edges, observing but never leading. From conservative 1940s Ireland to the vibrant art scene of 1960s New York and back to her modest London flat, Frankie’s life unfolds in fragments shared with her young Irish carer, Damian. Through her memories of ambitious artists, aspiring writers, and captivating personalities, we see how her quiet presence shaped events in ways she never anticipated. A poignant exploration of identity, missed opportunities, and the unexpected paths life takes, the novel reveals that even lives lived on the periphery can hold deep meaning and unexpected influence.

A Stranger in the Family – Jane Casey (Hemlock Press)

• A Stranger in the Family is the eleventh book in the bestselling detective series featuring DS Maeve Kerrigan. Sixteen years after nine-year-old Rosalie Marshall disappeared, her mother, Helena, is found dead alongside her husband. However, DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent quickly uncover layers of secrets within the Marshall family. As they delve deeper, they realize someone is willing to kill to keep the truth buried. Maeve must unravel the mystery of Rosalie’s disappearance to prevent further danger and finally uncover the chilling truth.

Obsessed: The Autobiography – Johnny Sexton with Peter O’Reilly (Penguin Sandycove)

• Johnny Sexton’s autobiography recounts his journey from being an overlooked rugby player at 24 to becoming Ireland’s most accomplished and inspiring sportsperson. Chronicling his career highs – four European Cups, four Six Nations titles (including two Grand Slams), historic wins in the Southern Hemisphere, and the World Player of the Year award – Sexton reflects on how he helped transform Leinster and Ireland to rugby powerhouses. With honesty and insight, he shares stories of his childhood, pivotal relationships with teammates and coaches, and his thoughts on the game that defined his extraordinary career.

Nature Boy: A Journey of Birdsong and Belonging – Seán Ronayne (Hachette Books Ireland)

• Nature Boy is Seán Ronayne’s inspiring memoir of self-discovery, passion, and the healing power of nature. Growing up in Cork, Seán found solace in the woods, learning to identify birds and plants with his father and grandfather. Despite being labelled “Nature Boy” by peers, his love for ornithology blossomed into a career. At 32, Seán discovered he was autistic, a revelation that brought clarity to his life and underscored his unique connection to the natural world. In 2021, he embarked on an ambitious journey to sound-record all of Ireland’s regularly occurring bird species, showcasing both the beauty of birds and the urgent need to protect their habitats. Nature Boy celebrates individuality, belonging, and the wonder of the natural world.

Larry Mac Hale, Chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards says:

“Six incredible titles are in the running for the prestigious An Post Irish Book of the Year 2024. Celebrating the very best of Irish writing, these books highlight the diversity and talent that define Ireland’s incredible literary landscape. From captivating fiction and compelling memories, to crime and a beautifully illustrated children’s book, this year’s top six books reflect the remarkable range of voices and stories that have captured the heart and imagination of Irish readers this year. I would like to congratulate all the nominees on their success and wish them the very best of luck.”

The overall ‘An Post Irish Book of the Year 2024’ winner will now be decided by a distinguished panel of judges, chaired by an Irish Book Awards board member.

The judging panel consists of:

• Maria Dickenson, Judging Chair – General Manager of Dubray and Board Member of the An Post Irish Book Awards

• Madeleine Keane – Literary Editor of the Sunday Independent, lecturer at University College Dublin, and Chair of Children’s Books Ireland

• Cyril McGrane – A certified public accountant by profession, Cyril has worked with An Post for the last 27 years, holding a succession of senior roles in retail, operational and logistics management. Cyril is An Post’s key liaison lead with IPC and UPU and he is leading An Post’s Customs 2020 and Brexit programmes

• Elaina Ryan – CEO of Children’s Books Ireland and Co-Artistic Director of Tower and Tales Children’s Books Festival in Co. Wexford

• Alex Clark – A critic, journalist and broadcaster, Alex is patron of the Cambridge Literary Festival and has judged many literary awards, including the Booker Prize

One of the six titles will be revealed as the ‘An Post Irish Book of the Year 2024’ during a one-hour television special on RTÉ One hosted by Oliver Callan on Thursday, 19^th December at 10:15pm.

Since its inception, the An Post Irish Book of the Year Award has been won by a series of landmark titles which have gone on to become Christmas bestsellers and firm favourites with readers.

Previous winners of the An Post Irish Book of the Year Award include Paul Murray for The Bee Sting, Sally Hayden for My Fourth Time, We Drowned, Fintan O’Toole for We Don’t Know Ourselves, Doireann Ní Ghríofa for A Ghost in the Throat, the late Vicky Phelan for Overcoming, Emilie Pine for Notes to Self, John Crowley, Donal Ó Drisceoil, Mike Murphy and John Borgonovo for Atlas of the Irish Revolution, Mike McCormack for Solar Bones, Louise O’Neill for Asking For It, Mary Costello for Academy St, Donal Ryan for The Spinning Heart, Michael Harding for Staring at Lakes, and Belinda McKeon for Solace.

Tune into RTÉ One at 10:15pm on Thursday 19^th December to find out who wins the

An Post Irish Book of the Year Award 2024