Few things feel more real than walking into a space and imagining your business there. Whether you’re after a small office in Dublin, a retail unit in Kerry, or a warehouse in Kildare, the Irish commercial property market offers more options — and more platforms — than most buyers realise. This guide cuts through the listings to help you compare the major portals, understand the buying process, and figure out what actually matters before you make an offer.

Commercial properties listed on Daft.ie: 3,836 · Commercial properties in Dublin (County) on Daft.ie: 449 · Commercial property listings on MyHome.ie: 3,417

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact number of listings on ERA Downey McCarthy and Knight Frank websites
  • Average price per square foot for commercial properties across Ireland
  • Current vacancy rates in regional commercial markets
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Begin with a clear buy-or-lease decision (SCSI SME Guide)
  • Assemble a dossier of background information (planning permissions, surveys, plans) (SCSI SME Guide)
  • Engage a Chartered Surveyor who handles similar properties in the area (SCSI SME Guide)

Four platforms, three national portals, one clear pattern: the largest inventories come from the established aggregators, while specialist agencies offer deeper local knowledge.

Attribute Value
Total listings on Daft.ie 3,836
Total listings on MyHome.ie 3,417
Dublin county listings (Daft.ie) 449
Cork leading agency ERA Downey McCarthy

The implication: the largest inventory is on Daft.ie, but regional buyers should supplement with local agency sites for off-market opportunities.

Where Can I Find Commercial Property for Sale Near Me?

How to search for commercial property in Kildare, Navan, and Kerry?

What are the main online platforms for Irish commercial property?

Bottom line: Daft.ie and MyHome.ie are the two largest aggregators for commercial property in Ireland, together covering well over 7,000 listings. For buyers, the choice is between breadth (national portals) and depth (local agencies like ERA in Cork or Knight Frank for investment-grade assets).

The implication: a buyer searching in Kildare, Navan, or Kerry should start with Daft.ie’s regional filters, then cross-reference with local agency websites for properties that may not appear on the large portals.

What Are the Best Websites for Commercial Property for Sale in Ireland?

How does Daft.ie compare to MyHome.ie?

  • Daft.ie has a dedicated commercial property section with filters by region and property type (Daft.ie)
  • MyHome.ie lists commercial properties with detailed descriptions and supports county filtering (Wellington Review)
  • FindQo.ie lists over 161 commercial properties with search by type, price, size, and location (FindQo.ie (Irish commercial property listing site))

What do local agencies like ERA and Knight Frank offer?

The trade-off

National portals offer volume and convenience; local agencies offer relationships and off-market opportunities. The smart buyer uses both.

The pattern: Daft.ie and MyHome.ie dominate the volume game, but for a buyer in Cork or seeking development land, an agency like ERA or Knight Frank is often the faster route to a suitable property.

How Do I Find Used or Small Commercial Property for Sale?

What defines a ‘used’ commercial property?

  • Used commercial property includes previously occupied offices, retail units, and industrial units (Daft.ie commercial section – typical listings)
  • Filters on Daft.ie and MyHome.ie allow narrowing by property type (office, retail, industrial, land) and condition (Daft.ie; Wellington Review)

Is small commercial property available in Dublin?

  • Daft.ie lists 449 commercial properties in Dublin County (Daft.ie)
  • Small offices and retail units are common in Dublin listings; filters for size and price help narrow the search (Daft.ie)
  • FindQo.ie also allows filtering by size and price for small commercial properties (FindQo.ie (Irish commercial property listing site))
Bottom line: “Used” commercial property is simply any property that has been previously occupied. Small commercial spaces in Dublin are plentiful, but filtering by size and condition on the major portals is essential to avoid wasting time on unsuitable listings.

Why this matters: for a small business owner, the difference between a ground-floor retail unit and a first-floor office can mean the difference between walk-in traffic and a quiet location. Used properties often come with existing fit-outs that can save money, but also with potential maintenance issues.

What Types of Commercial Property Are Available for Sale?

Are there offices, retail units, and industrial properties?

  • Daft.ie and MyHome.ie categorise listings into offices, retail units, industrial units, businesses, land, and restaurants (Daft.ie; Wellington Review)
  • FindQo.ie similarly offers offices, retail, industrial, and development land (FindQo.ie)

Do listings include development land and investment property?

The upshot

The category you choose determines the financing options, the planning permissions you’ll need, and the timeline. A restaurant conversion requires different due diligence than a standard office lease.

The catch: investment property (land, large buildings) often requires a higher deposit and more complex financing, while small retail units are easier to fund but may come with restrictive leases.

What Should I Know Before Buying a Commercial Property?

How do I value a commercial property?

  • Valuation often requires professional appraisal based on location, condition, and income potential (SCSI (Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, professional body))
  • The SCSI recommends choosing a chartered surveyor who handles similar properties in the area (SCSI SME Guide)

What financing options exist?

  • Financing options include commercial mortgages and investment loans from banks and specialist lenders (SCSI SME Guide – general financing advice)
  • The SCSI advises budgeting for rates, water rates, service charges, and building insurance on top of mortgage repayments (SCSI (Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, professional body))

What legal steps are involved?

  1. Engage a solicitor specialising in commercial property.
  2. Assemble a dossier of background information: planning permissions, building survey reports, and property plans (SCSI SME Guide).
  3. Complete due diligence, including searches and contract review (SCSI SME Guide).
  4. Exchange contracts and complete the purchase.
  5. Allow 3–6 months for the entire process, from search to completion (SCSI (Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, professional body)).
Bottom line: The SCSI’s guidance is the gold standard for Irish commercial property buyers. The buyer who skips due diligence is the buyer who regrets the purchase, so engage a chartered surveyor early and budget for all ongoing costs.

The implication: for a first-time commercial buyer, the most expensive mistake is underestimating the hidden costs. Professional advice from a surveyor, solicitor, and accountant is not optional — it’s the difference between a good investment and a costly lesson.

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Daft.ie lists 3,836 commercial properties across Ireland (Daft.ie)
  • MyHome.ie lists 3,417 commercial properties (Wellington Review)
  • ERA Downey McCarthy describes itself as the leading commercial property sales agency in Cork (ERA Downey McCarthy)
  • Knight Frank offers commercial property for sale and to let (Knight Frank)
  • Property.ie includes 31,289 residential and commercial listings (Property.ie)
  • Commercial.ie operates as a nationwide portal (Commercial.ie)

What’s unclear

  • Exact number of listings on ERA and Knight Frank websites
  • Average price per square foot for commercial properties in Ireland
  • Current vacancy rates in regional commercial markets

“ERA Downey McCarthy is the leading commercial property sales agency in Cork.”

— ERA Downey McCarthy website

“Knight Frank offers commercial property for sale and to let.”

— Knight Frank website

For a buyer in the Irish market, the choice between aggregator and local agent is not binary — it’s sequential. Start with the broad inventory of Daft.ie or MyHome.ie, then verify the best finds with a local agent who knows the area’s zoning, planning history, and true market value. The buyer who skips that second step risks paying too much for a property with hidden issues.

Related reading: Daft.ie commercial properties for sale · SCSI SME Guide to Property

Additional sources

cbre.ie, daft.ie, businessesforsale.ie

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between freehold and leasehold commercial property?

Freehold means you own the building and the land outright; leasehold means you own the right to occupy the property for a fixed term. Most commercial properties in Ireland are sold freehold, but leasehold arrangements exist, especially for longer-term investments.

How long does the commercial property buying process take?

According to the SCSI, allow 3–6 months from the start of your search to completion. This includes due diligence, financing, and legal conveyancing.

Do I need a solicitor for a commercial property purchase?

Yes. A solicitor specialising in commercial property is essential to handle contract review, searches, and completion. The SCSI strongly recommends legal representation.

What is the typical deposit required for commercial property?

Deposits typically range from 10% to 30% of the purchase price, depending on the lender and the property type. Investment properties often require higher deposits.

Are there government grants for buying commercial property in Ireland?

There are no direct grants for purchasing commercial property, but some enterprise schemes offer capital allowances or tax relief for certain types of business premises. Check with your local enterprise office.

How do I check the planning permission of a commercial property?

Search the local authority’s planning portal using the property’s address or Eircode. A chartered surveyor can also provide a planning history report.

What are the ongoing costs after buying a commercial property?

Beyond mortgage repayments, you’ll need to budget for commercial rates, water rates, service charges, building insurance, and maintenance. The SCSI’s SME guide provides a detailed checklist.