Extensions are proving popular with Galway’s homeowners

GALWAY'S Planning Authorities approved the third highest number of home extensions across the country, showcasing a preference of building instead of moving.

This is according to planning permission data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), which showed that a total of 2,558 extension applications were approved in Galway between January 2018 to June 2026.

Galway homeowners were the third highest extension builders in the country with Dublin being the first with 19,248 approved extensions and Cork being the second with 6,321 approved extensions.

An analysis of the CSO data by Galway-based building contractors IVCG, revealed that people in rural counties are choosing to build larger extensions over moving into another house.

Average extension sizes

County Cavan took the first spot on this list with average extension of 90.7 metre square, followed by Leitrim and Longford with average extension size of 90.2 and 87.7 metre squares respectively.

In Galway the average house extension measured up to 70.4 metre squares, while Dublin remained at the bottom of the list with an average extension of just 46.2 metre squares.

“It doesn’t surprise us that extensions in rural areas are bigger,” said Ivan Ivanov, Director of IVCG.

“Families in the likes of Leitrim and Cavan tend to have more space to work with and may find planning easier to navigate,” he added.

Regulation changes

Recent changes to Ireland’s exempted development regulations can also be credited for this ongoing trend where a total of 3,646 extensions were approved in the first six months of 2026, up two per cent on the same period last year.

Under the new rules, single storey rear extensions of up to 45 square metres can now qualify as exempted development.

“The new rules are welcome, but homeowners shouldn’t assume every extension is exempt,” warns Mr Ivanov.