Mayo's commercial vacancy rate revealed

The commercial vacancy rate in Mayo is significantly above the national average.

The vacancy rate in the county was recorded at 17.5% in June 2026 according to the new GeoDirectory Commercial Vacancy Rates Report.

The the national average stands at 14.5%.

The analysis, prepared by EY, found that the commercial vacancy rate in Mayo decreased by 0.2 percentage points compared to the same period in 2025.

The highest commercial vacancy rates were concentrated in the West and North-West of the country.

Donegal topped the poll at 20.7% while Sligo (20.2%), Galway (18.6%), Leitrim and Limerick (both 18.1%) made up the remainder of the top five highest county vacancy rates. All five Connacht counties featured in the top seven nationwide.

Of the urban areas in Mayo surveyed, Ballina had the highest rate of commercial vacancies (23.1%), while Westport had the lowest at 13.6%.

The national commercial vacancy rate dropped marginally by 0.1 percentage points year-on-year to 14.5% in the second quarter of 2026.

The study revealed that a total of 30,611 commercial properties were classified as vacant across the country during the second quarter of this year.

GeoDirectory noted that 13 counties had a vacancy rate below the national vacancy rate of 14.5%.

Dara Keogh, CEO of GeoDirectory, said that while the national commercial vacancy rate edged down slightly to 14.5%, the broader picture remains one of significant local variance.

"With over 30,611 commercial units lying vacant across the country and 13 counties still seeing vacancy increases, commercial property owners and local high streets need to continue to adapt to shifting consumer habits," he said.

Simon MacAllister, Partner at EY Ireland, said the figures represented a break from the long period of rising commercial vacancy rates.

However, he said the data also highlighted a growing divide between areas benefiting from population growth, employment and investment, particularly in the East, and areas continuing to face challenges in sustaining commercial activity, particularly in the West and North-West.

The Western People recently reported that there are more than 300 commercial sites for sale in Mayo with a leading auctioneer warning that the market will never return to Celtic Tiger levels. The 309 commercial sites that are currently for sale in the county include agricultural and development land.