Planning Permission Boosts Cairn’s 4,000 Apartments
Struggling Irish homebuyers face a housing crunch, but Cairn Homes delivers relief with thousands of new units underway.
Cairn Homes advances over 4,000 apartments under construction across multiple schemes, securing vital planning permission to fuel expansion. These projects span cost rental, social housing, affordable purchase options, Croí Cónaithe initiatives, age-friendly designs, and private sales. Developments target key areas like Cork, Galway, Dublin, and nearby counties, reflecting robust investment in new sites and partnerships.
The builder anticipates sales exceeding €1 billion in 2026, with revenue guidance set between €1.02 billion and €1.05 billion. Operating profit projections hold at €175 million to €180 million. A forward order book now covers more than 3,000 homes, valued at €1.15 billion net, up from prior levels of 2,361 units worth €910 million.
Land acquisitions during 2025 promise 4,500 additional homes, mainly for private buyers in the medium term. Cairn engages six forward fund projects, optimizing capital for efficient apartment delivery to State partners at competitive rates. Over 140 apartments sold swiftly at initial Croí Cónaithe schemes, signaling strong market appetite and more launches ahead.
Large-scale apartment builds for government-backed programs achieve VAT-inclusive prices in the low €400,000s. This demonstrates feasibility of high-quality, energy-efficient units in Ireland, matching European benchmarks. Build cost inflation stayed low at about 1%.
Cairn’s CEO highlights unprecedented demand from a decade of housing shortages. The firm ramped up 2025 spending on construction, site starts, land buys, joint ventures, and partnerships. Total output targets 6,000 new homes from 2026 to 2027, prioritizing first-time buyers amid supportive policies and economic tailwinds.
These efforts tie into broader housing scheme approval processes, where An Bord Pleanála decisions often shape timelines. Developers navigate material contravention issues and flood-risk development assessments to push forward. Environmental impact studies ensure sustainable progress, aiding Ireland’s housing recovery.
- Over 4,000 apartments actively building, diverse tenure types.
- €1bn+ sales forecast, €1.15bn order book value.
- 6,000 homes output planned 2026-2027.
- Low €400,000s pricing for State schemes.
- New land for 4,500 private homes medium-term.
Originally reported in The Irish Times on Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:47:55 +0000. Full story
