Emergency repair works commence to restore The Liberties' Iveagh Markets
Emergency repair and rehabilitation works have commended to preserve the ‘resilience and character’ of The Liberties historic Iveagh Markets.
The Iveagh Markets was an important cornerstone of The Liberties from 1906 until the 1990s. Now Dublin City Council, with the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage through the Urban Regeneration & Development Fund has appointed Kelbuild Ltd. to undertake works at the derelict site.
While previous enabling works included the installation of safe access routes, propping, and removal of vegetation, Kellbuild will now proceed with 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.
Welcomed by Lord Mayor Councillor Ray McAdam, he said the Iveagh Markets “are not just a building” but an essential aspect of Dublin's story and the unique 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,” he said.
“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 history of the Iveagh Markets dates back to 1st Earl of Iveagh Edward Guinness’s plan to provide a place for the hundreds of market stalls and street traders in the area. This was just one of a series of major urban regeneration projects Guinness financed throughout 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 Heritage James Browne said the repair works represent a key milestone in the restoration of the market and has been supported through a funding of almost €9.5 million from the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.
“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,” he said.
Chief Executive Richard Shakespeare said the Council are now "taking decisive action to secure this iconic structure and explore its potential for future use." Chair of the South Central Area Committee Cllr Vincent Jackson added that the projects aims "the cultural and historical fabric of The Liberties" and that the market remains "a source of pride for local residents."
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