Rents on average 10.2% in Carlow and 3.7% in Kilkenny higher in the first quarter of 2026 than a year ago

Rents rose in tandem with the government’s rental reforms.

The Daft.ie research shows the national average rent rose by 4.4% from December to March this year, the sharpest increase it has ever recorded.

Kilkenny saw a jump for 3.7% on last year but in Carlow for the same time frame it rose 10.2%.

On average, a two-bed apartment will now put you out more than €2,000 a month, while those looking in Dublin should expect to pay more than €2,600.

Professor of Economics at Trinity College Dublin and author of the report, Ronan Lyons says new rental control rules, which came into effect on the 1st of March, are likely to have driven the increase.