Emergency Repair Works Begin at Iveagh Markets

Dublin City Council, with the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage through the Urban Regeneration & Development Fund (under Project Ireland 2040), has appointed Kelbuild Ltd. to undertake emergency repair and stabilisation works at the Iveagh Markets. These works will safeguard this historic and protected structure for future generations. The contract will be overseen by Conservation Architects Howley Hayes Cooney, with CORA Structural Engineers, and Austin Reddy Quantity Surveyors. 

Previous enabling works included the installation of safe access routes, propping, and removal of vegetation. This now allows Kelbuild Ltd. to proceed with a programme of essential repairs, including works to the roof, gutters, rainwater disposal system, and stabilisation of the parapet and internal walls. The emergency stabilisation works are expected to be completed over the next 24 months. 

Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Ray McAdam welcomed the works saying, "The Iveagh Markets are not just a building, they are a cornerstone of Dublin’s story and a symbol of the resilience and character of The Liberties. For generations, this place has stood at the heart of a community defined by its spirit, its craft, and its sense of belonging. Beginning these emergency works marks an essential and long-awaited step towards securing the Markets’ future. As a city, we are determined to protect our architectural heritage, honour the legacy of those who shaped it, and ensure that this historic landmark can once again play a meaningful role in the life of Dublin.”   

The Iveagh Markets were developed by Edward Cecil Guinness, Lord Iveagh, as part of a series of major urban regeneration projects he financed in The Liberties area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries Originally intended to house street traders displaced by the development of the Bull Alley Estate on nearby Patrick Street (another Guinness-funded project), the markets were conceived as a Wet Hall for the sale of fish, meat, and fresh produce, and a Dry Hall for second-hand clothes and household items.  

Completed in 1906, the market buildings occupy an entire city block, measuring approximately seventy metres by forty metres. They feature two elegant semi-glazed roof structures of complex geometric design, supported by cast iron columns and perimeter masonry walls. These structures, combining cast iron, wrought iron, and mild steel, represent metal-framed construction at its finest. 

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD said, “Today’s engagement between Dublin City Council and Kelbuild Limited marks another milestone in the restoration of the Iveagh Market on Francis Street, Dublin 8. The Iveagh Market is a landmark of architectural, cultural, and social significance in the Liberties. My Department is supporting these works through funding of almost €9.5 million from the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) as part of a wider programme to regenerate Dublin’s South Inner City which was awarded €47 million in funding from the URDF. The planned works will help secure the architectural heritage of this important part of the city and I look forward to seeing the next phase of these essential stabilisation and repair works progress in the coming months”. 

Richard Shakespeare, Chief Executive of Dublin City Council said, “The stabilisation of the Iveagh Markets is a priority for Dublin City Council.  With the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Urban Regeneration & Development Fund, we are taking decisive action to secure this iconic structure and explore its potential for future use." 

Councillor Vincent Jackson, Chair of the South Central Area Committee, added, "This project reflects our dedication to protecting the cultural and historical fabric of The Liberties. The Iveagh Markets have been at the heart of the community for over a century, and these works will ensure that they remain a source of pride for local residents." 

ENDS