How do I find a planning application in Ireland?

Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, every local authority must keep a public register of all planning applications made in its area, including the application documents, decision, and any conditions attached. Most councils now provide this register through an online planning portal on their own website, where you can search by address, townland, planning reference number, or applicant name, and view or download the associated drawings and reports.

If you don't know which local authority covers the site, or want a national overview, MyPlan.ie provides a mapping tool that shows zoning and, in many areas, links through to relevant planning applications, though the primary and most complete source for application documents remains each individual council's own planning register. For applications that have been appealed, An Coimisiún Pleanála maintains its own case tracking system where you can search by planning authority reference or its own appeal case number.

Older applications, particularly those from before councils digitised their records, may only be available by visiting the council's planning office in person or submitting a written request, since not all historic files have been scanned and uploaded. If you need a full planning history for a property, especially one going back decades, a written request to the planning department referencing the address is often the most reliable approach.