How do I resolve a boundary dispute with my neighbor under Irish law?

What the Law Says

Under Irish law, property boundaries are determined primarily by the registered title held at the Property Registration Authority (PRA), including the folio and associated map (often the Registry Map, not the Ordnance Survey map). The Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 (as amended) abolished the doctrine of estates tail and clarified that registered ownership prevails over unregistered claims, except where adverse possession applies. Section 49 of the 2009 Act confirms that a person in continuous, exclusive, and unchallenged possession of land for 12 years may apply to be registered as owner under the doctrine of adverse possession — but this requires formal application to the PRA and is subject to strict evidential requirements. The Civil Liability Act 1961 and the Courts and Civil Justice Act 2013 further support alternative dispute resolution (ADR) as a prerequisite or strong expectation before litigation.

Practical Steps

Begin by obtaining your folio and title map from the Property Registration Authority (PRA) website (landdirect.ie) — this is your primary legal evidence. Do not rely solely on physical markers (e.g., walls or hedges), which may have shifted over time. Next, engage a qualified chartered surveyor (RICS or Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland member) to conduct a professional boundary survey and produce a report comparing the legal title with ground features. Share findings openly with your neighbour and seek resolution via written agreement — ideally documented as a 'boundary agreement' signed by both parties and lodged with the PRA (under s. 72 of the 2009 Act). If informal resolution fails, consider mediation through the Legal Aid Board’s Civil Mediation Service or a private mediator; court rules (Order 56A of the Rules of the Superior Courts) now encourage ADR. Only proceed to the Circuit Court (for straightforward disputes under €75,000) or High Court (for complex title or substantial value issues) after exhausting these steps.

Sources