Katharine Byrne, Head of Deal Advisory, highlighted in Business Post that Ireland outperformed the global M&A market with a 10% increase in transactions and a rise in private equity-backed deals, driven by a strong economy and sector consolidation. Read her commentary below.
Ireland outperformed the global M&A market activity with an approximate 10 per cent increase in total number of transactions and a significant increase in the level of PE-backed deals. This trend is underpinned by the strength of the Irish economy and the opportunity for consolidation across certain industries such as healthcare and financial services. The success of Irish companies in international expansion and the role of private equity in supporting ambitious management teams have attracted more International PE funds into Ireland.
According to BDO’s Horizon report for the first quarter of 2025, UK & Ireland mid-market M&A activity was strong in 2024, with 801 deals completed at an aggregate deal value of over $60 billion. After a slower start to the year, activity in the UK and Ireland ramped up during the second half of the year with 405 deals completed at a total value of $31.5 billion, which was a similar level to the second half of 2023.