The ICAI also predicted that there would be more joint ventures, private equity and mezzanine finance deals done this year and that the adoption of new residential density guidelines would give clarity to the market. These predictions have been reflected in the market, with a number of development land opportunities around the country currently available.

In Dublin, one of the best known licensed premises in the south of the county has come on the market through CB Richard Ellis. Palmer's Golden Ball in Kilternan and an extensive adjoining development site is for sale.

The property extends to 3.8 acres and occupies a prime trading location on the main Dublin/Enniskerry Road at its intersection with Glenamuck Road in Kilternan. The surrounding area is experiencing dramatic residential development, assisted by its convenience to the M50 motorway and Luas light rail system. In addition the property is located close to many office and business areas such as Sandyford, Beacon South Quarter and Central Park.

Palmer's Golden Ball has been continuously extended and upgraded to provide excellent lounge bar, restaurant and catering facilities and has captured the coveted Black and White Pub of the Year award on many occasions.

According to selling agents John Ryan and Wesley Rothwell of CBRE, this is one of the most significant pub and land sales this year. The lands fronting the Enniskerry Road (approximately 1.89 acres) are zoned objective NC in the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown development plan 2004-2010 'to protect, provide for and/or improve neighbourhood facilities' while the rear lands are zoned objective A 'to protect and/or improve residential amenity'.

The property will be sold by tender on 7 June 2007 unless previously sold. While no reserve has been issued, a price in excess of EUR 18 million has been suggested given its location.

Also in Leinster, a 10.75 acre parcel of land fronting onto the M4 motorway at Enfield in County Meath is on the market through PropertyTeam Carey Auctioneers.

Enfield village is a strategically important location, being only 25 miles from Dublin city centre, with the M4 providing links to the country's motorway network.

Additionally, the land is right at the motorway junction to the village and enjoys a high profile location with frontage onto three roads.

Whilst it is not zoned, mains services run past the land and applications to have most of the land re-zoned for commercial use have been submitted to Meath County Council under the current review of the County Development Plan.

"This is the first such parcel of land to come to the market in Enfield since the opening of the M4 and has been eagerly anticipated by the market, " said Edward Carey of PropertyTeam Carey Auctioneers. "The land has obvious future development potential, ideally suiting many uses, but we would expect light industry, retail park or distribution centre.

Any development would be subject to application to Meath County Council." The land is for sale by private treaty and the agents have an asking price of EUR 3.75 million.

Down in Thurles the sale of St John's Park is expected to attract strong developer interest as the largest ever development land bank to come to the market in the town.

This prominent 82 acre holding is strategically located on the eastern boundary of Thurles town centre between the Dublin and Moyne Roads.

Bought in the mid 1960s by the late Michael Purcell and laid out as a model farm with a palatial early 1930s mansion as its centerpiece, it was once the strong hold of the famous Purcell Brothers cattle dealing operation.

The property is located within easy reach of Thurles and is within the development boundary. The next round of re-zoning proposals to take place in 2008 for the 2009 Thurles Development Plan will ensure strong developer interest, according to selling agents Denis O'Donoghue and Isobel O'Regan.

There are two high quality housing developments next door (Hazel Wood and Dun Lia, both of which are being built by local developer Rivermount Construction), which give an indication of the potential of the land.

The availability of potential development lands of this calibre in a growing town such as Thurles with a population of 14,000 and a main line railway service to Dublin is extremely rare. St John's Park is for sale by private treaty through Savills Hamilton Osborne King's Cork office with an asking price of EUR 25 million.

On the fringes of Bantry another intriguing development opportunity has come on the market. The Old Rectory comprises of a period home on 6.25 acres with planning permission for a bar/restaurant and holiday homes.

Over the last two hundred years the Old Rectory has been owned by a variety of individuals and commercial organisations. Despite its name, it has not been inhabited by a Church of Ireland minister since the last 1950s.

This opportunity involves a planning permission with an eye to future development of this historical property on the outskirts of the coastal town of Bantry. The property comes with full permission for a bar/restaurant licence in the main residence with seven adjoining holiday suites in a courtyard development, where there would also be scope for massage rooms and sauna. In addition, the planning also provides for the construction of six holiday homes within the grounds.

Price on request from Oakridge Auctioneers.

Clonee is a proven selling location which has appeal for the owner occupier and investor alike given its proximity to some major employers and many amenities.

Coonan Real Estate Alliance have been instructed to offer for sale an outstanding "ready to go" residential/commercial development property which extends to approximately 6 acres and is located in the heart of Clonee, near the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre.

The property is for sale by Tender at 12 noon on Thursday May 24th 2007, (unless previously sold). The property extends to approx. 6 acres (2.43 hectares) and has extensive frontage to the N3 A planning permission for a mixed use development in six blocks ranging in height from four to six storeys (including recessed penthouse levels) consisting of 196 residential units, 5 no.

retail units (c.14,350 sq. ft. ), office space (measuring c.24,000 sq. ft. over three floors) and a restaurant (c.3,250 sq. ft. ) at ground floor level. Will Coonan of Coonan Real Estate Alliance and is indicating an AMV of 17.5 million.