Land Registry Check in Ireland — Folio, Map, and What to Look For Before You Buy
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A Land Registry folio costs €30 and shows ownership, burdens, rights of way, and map. Always check before exchange.
A Land Registry folio shows ownership, burdens (rights of way, wayleaves, easements), and a map. Costs €30 from the Property Registration Authority (PRA) at landregistry.ie. Always check before exchange. Look for: burdens that restrict building (rights of way that cross the building line, wayleaves for ESB or Uisce Éireann infrastructure), previous planning references that may bind the site, and the map boundary vs the actual fence line. If the folio map doesn't match the actual boundary, a boundary survey and a deed of rectification may be needed — adds €1,000–€3,000. For unregistered land (rare in urban areas, more common in rural Ireland with old titles), the solicitor does a 40+ year title search, which is slower and more expensive.
When this matters most
You're sale-agreed on a site, or you're reviewing the title before exchange of contracts.
When this doesn't apply
You've already completed the purchase and have a clean folio in your name.
Sources
Property Registration Authority, Land registry folios. https://www.landregistry.ie/
Frequently asked questions
How do I check the land registry in Ireland?
Go to landregistry.ie and request a folio. €30 per folio. Shows ownership, burdens, rights of way, and a map. Available within 1–3 working days.
What is a folio in Ireland?
A Land Registry document that records the ownership and title details of a property. Each registered property has a unique folio number. Costs €30 to view.
What is a burden on a folio?
A right or restriction registered against the property. Common burdens: rights of way, wayleaves for utility infrastructure, easements, and charges. Always check for burdens that affect buildability.
When this matters most
You're sale-agreed on a site, or you're reviewing the title before exchange of contracts.
When this doesn't apply
You've already completed the purchase and have a clean folio in your name.
Where to go next
Next decision
The next step in your build sequence.
- Foul Drainage Connection in Ireland — Mains Sewer, Treatment System, or Septic →
- Is My Site Buildable in Ireland? The Five Checks That Decide It →
- On-Site Electricity for a Self-Build in Ireland — Temporary Connection, Generator, or Solar →
- Ribbon Development in Ireland — The Planning Policy That Refuses Houses Along Rural Roads →
- Site Access in Ireland — Road Entrances, Sightlines, and the Road Opening Licence →
- Site Office and Welfare for a Self-Build — What You Need by Law (SHWW 2013) →
- Site Security on a Self-Build in Ireland — Hedges, Hoardings, CCTV, and Insurance →
- Site Survey in Ireland — Topographical, Measured, and Boundary Surveys →
Branch into
Adjacent decisions at the same stage.
- Flood Risk Maps in Ireland — How to Check opw.ie Before You Buy a Site →
- Percolation Tests in Ireland — EPA T-values, What They Mean, and What Costs When You Fail →
- Rural Housing Policy in Ireland 2026 — Local-Needs Tests and How Counties Vary →
- Septic Tank vs Mains Sewer in Ireland — When Each Applies and What It Costs →
- Well Yield Tests in Ireland — How to Confirm a Rural Water Supply Before You Buy →
Watch out for
Common mistakes, hidden costs, gotchas.
- Percolation Tests in Ireland — EPA T-values, What They Mean, and What Costs When You Fail →
- Septic Tank vs Mains Sewer in Ireland — When Each Applies and What It Costs →
- Site Assessment Cost in Ireland — Soil Test, Percolation Test, Water Test, and What to Order Together →
- Site Purchase Costs in Ireland — Stamp Duty, Legal Fees, and What Adds Up →
- Irish Soil Classification — Class 1 to Class 5+ and What Each One Costs You in Foundation →
Compare with
Alternative approaches worth knowing.