How do I find the planning history of a property in Ireland?

Every local authority in Ireland maintains a statutory planning register recording all applications made within its area, and most now provide a searchable online version covering at least the past two to three decades. Searching by the property's address, or by the names of previous owners, will usually surface the relevant planning file references, decision dates, and outcomes, whether granted, refused, or withdrawn.

A full planning history often includes multiple separate applications over time, for the original dwelling, later extensions, change of use, or retention permissions, so it's worth reviewing every entry associated with the property rather than assuming the most recent application tells the whole story. Reading the decision documents and any conditions attached will clarify what was actually approved and whether the current structure matches it.

For properties with a long or complicated history, or where online records are incomplete, a professional planning search, carried out by a solicitor or specialist search company, can compile records from multiple sources including archived paper files, and cross-check against Building Control and Ordnance Survey mapping records where relevant.