Key Contacts: Eoghan Doyle – Head of Corporate and M&A | Andrew Tzialli – Partner |
Comprehensive analysis of Ireland’s mergers & acquisitions landscape
Welcome to Philip Lee’s Ireland and UK M&A Review 2025, our annual analysis of deal activity across the Irish market. This year’s edition provides a clear, data‑driven view of how Ireland performed in a period marked by global uncertainty, shifting investor sentiment and growing sectoral divergence. Our report offers insights for corporates, investors and advisers assessing the year’s M&A environment and the opportunities emerging for 2026 and beyond.
Key Findings from Ireland’s M&A Market in 2025
Ireland recorded a year of moderated activity, reflecting broader international investment hesitation but demonstrating relative resilience compared with the UK.
- 733 transactions completed in 2025
- Represents a 14.9% decline on 2024
- Aggregate deal value decreased by 12.7%, from €56.2bn to €49.1bn
Despite reduced volume and value, Ireland continued to attract strong attention from international buyers, highlighting the market’s long‑standing reputation for stability and innovation.
Sector Insights
Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT)
TMT remained the dominant driver of growth capital, attracting approximately 41% of private equity investment. AI‑focused and AI‑native businesses were particularly active, representing 40% of all growth investments across AI platforms and vertical applications such as LegalTech, PropTech, retail and e‑commerce.
Manufacturing & Professional Services
Both sectors sustained meaningful activity, drawing strategic international purchasers and private equity firms looking for resilient, scalable opportunities.
Private Equity Trends
Private equity was a core driver of deal flow, although volumes softened by approximately 25% compared with 2024. Nonetheless, PE activity remained robust across:
- Tech‑enabled businesses
- Specialist manufacturing
- Professional services platforms
These categories continued to benefit from international investor interest and strategic consolidation.
International Buyer Activity
UK and US acquirers maintained a strong presence in the Irish market, accounting for a significant proportion of inbound transactions. Their interest underscores Ireland’s attractiveness as a stable, innovation‑focused investment environment, even against a backdrop of tightening economic conditions.
Download the Full Report
The full Philip Lee M&A Review 2025 provides:
- Detailed sector breakdowns
- Deal value analysis
- Year‑on‑year comparisons
- Private equity insights
- Outlook for 2026
