What is Tailte Éireann? Ireland’s Land Registry Explained
Tailte Éireann is Ireland’s new land and property agency. Learn what it does, how it replaced the PRA, OSI, and Valuation Office, and how to use landdirect.ie.
If you’ve bought property in Ireland recently — or even glanced at a solicitor’s letter — you’ve probably seen the name Tailte Éireann and wondered what it is.
Short version: Tailte Éireann is Ireland’s combined property registration, mapping, and valuation agency. It does everything the Property Registration Authority (PRA), Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI), and the Valuation Office used to do — under one roof, since March 2023.
What is Tailte Éireann?
Tailte Éireann (pronounced roughly “TAWL-teh AIR-in”) is an independent statutory agency established on 1 March 2023 under the Tailte Éireann Act 2022. The name comes from the Irish word tailte, meaning “lands.”
It handles three core functions:
- Property registration — recording who owns what land and property
- National mapping — maintaining Ireland’s official maps
- Property valuation — valuing commercial properties for local authority rates
Why Were Three Agencies Merged?
Before March 2023, property services were split across three organisations:
| Agency | Established | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Property Registration Authority (PRA) | 2006 (successor to Land Registry, est. 1892) | Property ownership registration |
| Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI) | 1824 | Official maps |
| Valuation Office | 1852 | Commercial property valuation |
Property registration, mapping, and valuation all revolve around the same assets — land and buildings. A single agency shares data more easily, reduces duplication, and provides better service. The Tailte Éireann Act 2022 was signed on 21 December 2022, and on 1 March 2023 the three agencies were dissolved and transferred to Tailte Éireann.
What Changed for Property Owners?
Surprisingly little:
- landdirect.ie still works exactly as before
- Folio numbers and records didn’t change
- Fees remained the same
- The old prai.ie redirects to tailte.ie
- Documents now carry the Tailte Éireann name
If your solicitor hands you a document from “Tailte Éireann” instead of “the PRA,” it’s the same service with identical records.
What Services Does Tailte Éireann Provide?
Property Registration (formerly PRA)
Tailte Éireann maintains two systems for recording property ownership:
The Land Register — covers registered land where the State guarantees the owner’s title. Each property has a unique folio number (e.g., DN12345F). Approximately 90% of Irish land is registered here, per Tailte Éireann.
The Registry of Deeds — covers unregistered property, mostly older properties where ownership is proven by deeds rather than State registration. Being gradually phased out through compulsory first registration.
Common services: folio searches, first registration, transfer of ownership, mortgage registration, boundary changes, copy services.
National Mapping (formerly OSI)
Maintains Ireland’s official mapping data including the National Map, GeoHive (geohive.ie), and the registration maps that define property boundaries in the Land Register.
Property Valuation (formerly Valuation Office)
Values commercial and industrial properties for local authority rates. Residential property owners won’t interact with this service directly. The valuation archives at Henrietta Street contain records dating back to the 1840s Griffith’s Valuation.
Clearing Up the Name Confusion
| Term | What It Means Now |
|---|---|
| Tailte Éireann | The State agency (the organisation) |
| Land Registry | A service within Tailte Éireann — the register of property titles |
| Registry of Deeds | A service within Tailte Éireann — the register for unregistered property |
| PRA / OSI / Valuation Office | The old agency names — all dissolved |
When someone says “check the Land Registry,” they mean search via Tailte Éireann’s systems.
How to Use Landdirect.ie
Landdirect.ie is Tailte Éireann’s online portal for searching the Land Register.
Access Levels
| Access Type | Who It’s For | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| Guest | Anyone — no account needed | Search by Eircode, view folios (€5 each) |
| Property Alert User | Homeowners | Get notified of changes to a specific folio |
| Business Account | Solicitors, agents | Full access including Registry of Deeds |
How to Search
You can find properties by:
- Eircode (fastest)
- Address or location
- Interactive map — zoom in and click
- Owner’s name — county-by-county
- Area — draw a bounding box (max 200m × 200m at 1:5,000 zoom)
- Coordinates — longitude/latitude
Reading a Folio (€5)
Each folio has three parts:
- Part 1 — Property description (area, townland, county, map reference)
- Part 2 — Ownership details (registered owner’s name and address)
- Part 3 — Burdens (mortgages, rights of way, charges)
A certified copy for legal use costs €40 (includes official map).
Important: The Land Register is public — anyone can search it. Avoid third-party sites that charge €25+ for a folio that costs €5 on landdirect.ie.
Tailte Éireann Fees 2026
Folio and Document Copies
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy of a folio (online) | €5 |
| Certified copy of folio + map | €40 |
| Copy instrument (deed) | €5 |
| Certified copy instrument | €40 |
Property Registration
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Transfer of ownership (sale) | €400–€800 (based on price) |
| First registration (Form 3) | €130 |
| Registration of a mortgage (electronic) | €0 |
| Registration of a mortgage (paper) | €175 |
| Discharge a mortgage | €40 |
For the full fee schedule, see our Land Registry Fees guide or check tailte.ie/services.
How Folio Searches Fit Into Buying Property
Before you offer: Search landdirect.ie yourself for €5 to check current ownership, outstanding mortgages, exact boundaries, and freehold/leasehold status.
During conveyancing: Your solicitor runs formal Land Registry, Registry of Deeds, and map searches through their business account.
After purchase: Your solicitor registers you as the new owner (typically 4–8 weeks). Once complete, your name appears in Part 2 of the folio. Set up free Property Alerts to monitor future changes.
If you’re researching Dublin property and want sale price history, BER ratings, and neighbourhood data alongside registry information, Dublish compiles it all into a single per-property page for over 123,000 Dublin properties — free.
How to Contact Tailte Éireann
| Division | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Property Registration | 051 303 000 | [email protected] |
| Valuation Services | 01 584 6753 | [email protected] |
| Mapping & Surveying | 01 802 5300 | [email protected] |
Offices: Phoenix Park (HQ), Chancery Street Dublin 7, Golf Links Road Roscommon, Henrietta Street Dublin 1 (archives, by appointment). Book appointments at tailte.ie.
FAQ
Is Tailte Éireann the same as the Land Registry?
Not exactly. Tailte Éireann is the organisation. The Land Registry is one of its services.
Did my property records change?
No. All folio numbers, maps, and registration details transferred directly. Your folio number is unchanged.
Can anyone search the Land Register?
Yes. It’s a public register. Anyone can view any folio for €5 on landdirect.ie.
How do I find my folio number?
Search landdirect.ie using your Eircode or address. Your solicitor should also have it from the purchase.
What’s the difference between the Land Registry and the Registry of Deeds?
The Land Registry covers registered land (~90% of Ireland) with State-guaranteed title. The Registry of Deeds covers older unregistered properties — it records deeds but doesn’t guarantee title.
Does Tailte Éireann provide residential valuations?
No. The valuation service only covers commercial and industrial properties. For Dublin sale price data, Dublish provides PPR sale history for 123,000+ properties.
This guide was last updated in March 2026. Fees and contact details sourced from tailte.ie and landdirect.ie.