2018 was a mixed year for house prices across the country, according to a new study.

The Irish Independent’s annual property price list has found that prices in Kilkenny jumped 22% in 2018.

In contrast, prices dropped by 2% in Donegal and 1% in Mayo.

Increasing building costs and the number of new homes being built were some of the factors identified as having an impact on prices in each area.

The study also highlights a surge in renovation costs which it says has seen the value of older homes falling compared to other properties.

Mark Keenan, residential property editor with The Irish Independent said the areas that are still offering affordable housing have tended to rise the most.

“For example, Longford is up 16% and Tipperary North is up 13%,” he said.

“A lot of the outer commuter belt where people from Dublin are tending to buy at the moment – Carlow is up 9%, Laois is up 9% and Cavan is up 8%.”

He said the slowdown inflation in Dublin can be traced to a shortage of enough buyers for expensive homes.

Prices in the cheapest areas of the capital rose at twice the rate of those in the most expensive areas.

“Areas where we have seen the most price increases are the areas where the most affordable homes can be found,” he said.

“So, Dublin 24 prices have gone up 8%.

“Dublin 10 – where the average price is 250,000 – they have gone up 8%.

“Then, at the other end of the scale, prices in Dublin 4 have gone up 3%.”

The average cost of a home nationwide is €340,000 according to the study – a rise of 5% since this time last year.

Mr Keenan said many prices in Dublin had dropped significantly since the peak of last summer.

You can find the newspaper’s ‘How Much Is Your House Worth’ tool by following this link.