How do I check if a property has a right of way in Ireland?

If the property is registered land, the first place to check is the folio, available through Tailte Éireann's landdirect.ie. The folio's Part 3 lists burdens affecting the land, which includes registered rights of way, whether the property benefits from one or is burdened by one over its land. The accompanying filed plan may also show the route where it has been mapped.

Not every right of way is registered, particularly older rights created before registration became widespread, or rights established through long use (prescription) that have never been formally recorded. These can still be legally valid and enforceable even without appearing on the folio, which is why a documentary check alone is not always conclusive.

A thorough check should also include reviewing the title deeds (especially for unregistered land), inspecting the site for physical evidence such as worn paths, gates, or access used by others, and asking neighbours or the vendor directly. For a property purchase or development site, instructing a solicitor to carry out full title searches, including local authority and Land Registry enquiries, is the standard and most reliable approach.