Hundreds of hopeful buyers queued for hours—some overnight—on Saturday morning as a new phase of homes at a Dublin 22 housing development sold out within minutes.
The intense demand at the Seven Mills development, located between Clondalkin and Lucan, highlights the growing crisis in housing supply across the capital.
Around 40 homes went on sale at 8 a.m. on Lockhouse Way, with three-bedroom units priced from €480,000. By 10 a.m., all were sold, leaving many disappointed.
Shane Kelly, a resident of Clondalkin, said he was disheartened after missing out. “I want to stay living here. It’s so disheartening,” he said, describing the housing shortage as “appalling.”
He warned that Ireland may be reaching a point where people are forced to sleep in their cars to stand a chance of buying a home.
Other would-be buyers also expressed frustration at losing out by mere minutes. “We were five minutes too late,” said one visibly upset woman.
Marie Mamayuk, who arrived shortly after 8 am, realised she might be too late upon hearing that some people ahead of her had arrived overnight. After searching for a year, she said home prices continue to rise, making it especially difficult for solo buyers like her.
Amanda and Cynan, who also missed out, hoped to secure a place high on the cancellation list after the units sold out.
Des Donnelly, Director of estate agency Hooke & MacDonald, said: “Today is a clear reflection that there is a supply issue generally.”
Many prospective buyers at the launch said they had saved for years and had mortgage approval — in some cases up to €500,000 — yet still couldn’t secure a home.
Thousands Apply for Just 20 Cost Rental Homes in Dublin 13
In a separate development, nearly 2,000 people have applied for just 20 cost rental homes at Griffin Point in Clongriffin, north Dublin, according to housing body Respond.
The application window closes on Tuesday for the first release of homes in the mixed development. The launch includes ten one-bedroom and ten two-bedroom apartments, with rents set at 25% below market rates.
These are the first of 6cost-rentalal properties being made available. Eligibility is limited to individuals and families earning up to €66,000 annually who are priced out of the private rental market.
