Place profile · Clonakilty, Co. Cork

Is Clonakilty a good place to live?

Clonakilty, Co. Cork scores 68/100 for quality of life, #23 of the 108 Irish areas BuyerIQ ranks, and its fundamentals are rated “steady — moves with the market”. The median home sells for €348,017 (most €295,154–€472,500), it scores 89/100 for safety (17.3 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents), 4,933 people live here, up 8.1% since 2016. It's strongest on safety and family & community, weakest on transport & services.

Updated July 2026 · Property Price Register + 20+ official sources, refreshed daily

Clonakilty is moving with the market.

About average today — tracking the national trend — no strong local tailwind or headwind.

Unemployment fell 12% → 8%, in line with nationally

Where Clonakilty sits.

Co. Cork · 6 bus stops · no rail.

51 min
drive to Cork

#23 of 108 for quality of life in Ireland.

68/100
#23 liveability#18 value
Safety89
Family & community84
Environment82
Affordability81
Local economy70
Schools & education58
Transport & services26

Ranked on quality of life alone — cost of living excluded, so the genuinely best areas rank top even though they cost more. Factor in price and Clonakilty is #18 of 108 for value for money (most quality of life per euro).

Homes sell for €348,017.

€295,154€472,500
-28.4%14.8% new-build227 sales / 2yr

Good for families.

84/100
Family & community score

Clean, green surrounds.

82/100
Environment score

Affordable for its access.

81/100
Affordability score

Quiet and safe.

89/100
17.3/1,000 · Cork West

A community that's growing.

4,933 people, up 8.1% since 2016.

Who lives here.

39%
third-level
36%
professional
9.8%
unemployment
Affluence: below average

A mix of owners and renters.

53.8% own28.5% rent14% social

The honest trade-offs.

Transport & services 26/100

Clonakilty: common questions

Is Clonakilty a good place to live?

Clonakilty, Co. Cork, scores 68/100 on BuyerIQ's Quality of Life composite (cost of living excluded) — #23 of the 108 areas we rank. It's strongest on safety and family & community.

Is Clonakilty safe?

Clonakilty scores 89/100 on safety, ~17.3 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents.

How much does it cost to buy a house in Clonakilty?

The median sale price in Clonakilty over the last 24 months was €348,017, most between €295,154 and €472,500 (Property Price Register).

Is Clonakilty on the up?

Clonakilty is rated "Steady — moves with the market" — unemployment fell 12% → 8%, in line with nationally.

Are there new builds in Clonakilty?

About 15% of homes sold in Clonakilty in the last 24 months were new builds (Property Price Register).

Is there much new development or planning activity in Clonakilty?

26 planning applications were lodged within Clonakilty in the last 12 months, covering 34 residential units (216 on record) — measured per town, not just at county level.

Is Clonakilty good for families?

Clonakilty scores 84/100 for families and community, and its population is growing (up 8.1% since 2016).

What are the schools like in Clonakilty?

Clonakilty scores 58/100 for schools and education, with 6 schools in the area.

What is the commute like from Clonakilty?

Clonakilty is about 51 minutes by road from Cork.

Sale prices from the Property Price Register (rolling 24 months). Quality of Life averages seven equal-weighted dimensions from 40+ metrics across 13 public datasets (CSO census + SAPS, Garda crime, SEAI, EPA, DES schools, GTFS). Population is CSO Census 2022; the “on the up” trajectory compares 2016→2022. Figures refresh daily · an area assessment, not advice on a specific property. Updated July 2026.