I would like to find out about The Statute of Frauds 1695, its purpose
and its operation?

In light of your question about real estate, perhaps these sites can help:
http://www.lawyer.ie/10steps/house10s.htm
http://www.lawreform.ie/publications/data/lrc105/lrc_105.html

On the second site, scroll down to "Contracts" on page 9.  It appears
that the significance of the Statute of Frauds is that it defines the
need for a written contract for real estate transactions.

This site with the delightful name "Report on Gazumping" also may add something:
http://www.lawreform.ie/publications/data/lrc105/lrc_105.html

("Gazumping" is British slang for what happens to someone who has
agreed to buy for a price, and then the seller sells to someone else
for more.)

The statue may concern other matters, but its definition of "contract"
seems the reason for hits on the web.

Hope this helps.