The first Irish Property Show to be held in Dublin and Cork next spring will be aimed at everyone interested in the property market. The event is to be staged by the Cork-based company M.F. Exhibitions in association with The Irish Times. The shows will include exhibits by estate agents of residential and commercial properties coming on the market. Advice will also be available from many of the main financial institutions and mortgage companies.

Visitors will be able to get information on planning, zoning, land sales, architecture and design, property lettings and management and insurance. "This will be a one-stop shop for the promotion of the products and services of the Irish property market," according to Rory Fitzpatrick, director of M.F. Exhibitions. He said the shows would take the format of exhibitions and seminars running simultaneously at both venues. Expert speakers would cover topical issues affecting both the commercial and residential property markets. Mr Fitzpatrick said the response from the property industry had been extremely positive and bookings for stands were going exceptionally well. It was obvious the property industry recognised the shows would be ideal opportunities to come face to face with the target market, he said. The shows are to be held at the RDS in Dublin on March 24th, 25th and 26th and at the City Hall, in Cork, from March 31st to April 2nd. Details of the shows were given at receptions in Dublin and Cork attended by estate agents, developers and financiers.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Damian Wallace, himself an estate agent, told a reception in The Imperial Hotel in Cork last week that he was confident the shows would attract enormous interest in both cities.

Bookings for the show are being handled by Ann Lenihan at M.F. Exhibitions, Multimedia Centre, Fr Matthew Street, Cork, telephone 021 270657. There is a Web site dedicated to the exhibition at www.irishpropertyshow.com