Irish property a big hit in London

Hundreds of buyers visited the Sherry FitzGerald Countrywide exhibition in London on Saturday February 16, when the members of Ireland’s largest property advisory group hosted their Irish property exhibition.

Sherry FitzGerald branded offices from all over Ireland were represented at the show, each displaying a great variety of residential and commercial property.

Mary Dillon, head of Sherry FitzGerald Countrywide, said: “We have been running property shows in London on and off since 2002 as so many house hunters have direct links with Ireland. Those who attended talked of affordability in the Irish market with property prices nationally now down almost 60%.

“Interestingly, many of those who were there were looking for family homes, which was a departure from the previous events where Ireland was seen as a holiday destination.

“The attraction of the low prices of property and the quality and low cost of education, lower pupil teacher ratios and the opportunity for children to be educated in small village schools, are undoubtedly an allure for young parents. Ireland compares favourably with the UK in terms of access and affordability of third level education.”

It was a wonderful gathering of Irish people, said Ms Dillon – young and old – and there was a feeling of optimism about the country.

“Quite simply those who attended see value in Irish property and the general consensus was that it might just be time to return home,” she concluded.