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IT’S FRIDAY THE 13th today, an unlucky day of the year if you’re feeling superstitious.
(Although actually, the weather forecast is looking quite nice).
Even if you’re not someone who suffers from triskaidekaphobia - fear of the number 13 – it’s possible we’re still a bit more superstitious than we think we are.
According to the people at big data analytics company, Idiro Analytics, Irish people are reluctant to buy houses and apartments that are number 13.
“We analysed all of the house sales data from the Property Services Regulatory Authority between January 2010 and February 2016,” CEO Aidan Connolly told TheJournal.ie.
We found there are more number 12s and 14s sold across the whole country than number 13s. They just aren’t selling as much.
When properties with the number 13 did go on the market, they sold for significantly less than similar properties on either side of them in many counties, the research found.
In Dublin, apartments with the number 13 sold for a value of 18% lower than their number 12 and 14 counterparts.
In Longford, number 13 houses had a drop in value of 24%, while in Kerry, apartments numbered 13 sold for 40% lower than their less numerically-challenged neighbours.
Other counties that shared in the fear of properties with the number 13 included Cork, Kildare, Meath, Westmeath, Monaghan and Cavan.
Those in the West were having nothing to do with superstition however, as they bought number 13 properties with impunity. In fact, Sligo properties with the number 13 sold for 20% more than their neighbours. (That’s just being contrary)
It’s not the first time Ireland has been a bit funny when it comes to triskaidekaphobia.
In 2012, some motor dealers called for a change to the car registration plate system out of fear that car sales would decrease in 2013 due to the presence of the number 13 on registration plates.
Registration plates were changed to 131 and 132 to help boost sales throughout the year and every year in the future – not because of superstition. But still…
Figures obtained from the General Register Office (also in 2013) found there were less marriages scheduled on Friday the 13th compared to other Fridays.
A British study back in 1993 (when scientists had nothing better to do) found the risk of hospital admissions from road accidents could be increased by as much as 52% on Friday the 13th.
“Staying at home is recommended,” it concluded.
Sounds a bit extreme to us, especially if there’s a chance of eating ice-cream on our lunch break. But maybe don’t go eyeballing any black cats today, just to be on the safe side.
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Houses with the number 13 sell for less in many parts of the country. Why? Cos there are so many idiots out there immersed in silly US urban culture
Jason’s gonna getcha!
I remember working in a Hotel in Toronto and the floors went from 12 to 14. The door numbers 112 to 114. I find 13 to be lucky considering I was born on the 13th.
I always find that stupid as the as floor or room 14 or whatever is still the 13th one anyway, it’s like I know a fella who got a handy landline number off eircom because no one would take it as it started with 666
We have a 12, 12a and 14, no number 13 in my estate.
Black cats are good luck here, it’s the US that has the problem.
Western superstitions about 13 are relatively mild… Out in Asia they’ll do and pay ANYTHING to avoid the number 4.
4444444444444….. Haha
Odd but true. When I worked in the Far East my apartment block had no floors 4, 13, 14 nor 24. There were no 4 apartments either they all went by letters per floor!
Ok I’ll be the 13th comment – all rubbish superstition all in the head – hocus pocus.
The only thing that comes from touching wood is a splinter, use your mental capacity for something other than fiction
13 is unlucky because there were 12 disciples and Jesus at the last supper = 13. The last supper was on a Friday so therefore Friday the 13th is thought to be unlucky!! What a load of bull!! Have a great day people!
@Deborah Jesus was a bit tied up on the Friday the last supper was the night before !
You make your own luck
I live in number 13
Because human are idiots. I grew up in a number 13 house. my parents told me that when they went to buy it off the plans in the 1970s, the estate agent asked them did they wish to change the address to 12A. FML never shied away from number 13 as a result – it has its benefits too as you get things that are associated with 13 that others will avoid!
DublinBikes @ 13 stand are most often the last bike taken.
Well would u take a chance?
Hard to take the chance with any dublin bikes given how awful the roads are
I knew a military pilot whose callsign was 13. For him it was lucky.
Sounds like a bad decision to me, she could have 28% of the value of the home in extra cash.
Las Vegas hotels follows feng shui too.
I was born on Friday the 13th and life is grand….. But I will salute a magpie lol
Can you eat magpies lol…
My daughter had the option to buy a house number 13,she deliberately decided not to. It was a good decision.
Sound like a bad decision to me, she could have 28% of the value of the home in cash.
Could have been a very good decision if she was going to buy that house in 2006-2007.
I bought house No 13,two years ago and couldn’t be happier . The same houses on my road are now selling at €45K more!!!! I got such a bargain , a bigger garden than any of the others and I will never be overlooked as its end of terrace !
After the loss of a child , marriage break up , numerous job losses and house moves I don’t worry about No 13 . I’ve had the worst of things happen and it’s nothing to do with number 13.
It’s called life .
To find out more information about our findings, or to contact us,
please visit our website at http://www.idiro.com
And yet the property charge is still the same for them?
The very first house I bought many moons ago was number 13. Three years later houses 10, 11 and 12 had pyrite and 13 didn’t. The fear of black cats, walking under ladders, 13 etc, what a load of crap.
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