Iveagh Markets emergency works expected to be completed by 2028
Emergency repair works on the historic Iveagh Markets in the Liberties should be completed by 2028.
The long-awaited restoration of the 120-year-old market commenced last December after €9.5 million was allocated by the government for conservation works through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund . With Phase 1 focused on repairing the roof, gutters, rainwater disposal system, as well as stabilising the parapet and internal walls, the aim is to bring the derelict site back into public use.
Dublin City Council has issued an update on the project and said the second and substantive phase of roof renewal works is currently being carried out by Kelbuild Ltd. Falling under the government’s Project Ireland 2040 strategy , further funding will need to be secured following the completion of these emergency works.
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 last December.
“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 Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne said the repair works represent a key milestone in the restoration of the market. “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 is 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 project embodies "the cultural and historical fabric of The Liberties" and that the market remains "a source of pride for local residents."
Much of the original roof structure of both the Wet and Dry market buildings remains intact, including large wrought iron and mild steel roof trusses, as well as the timber structure consisting of purlins, rafters and sarking boards. While historic Westmorland Green slate remains in some areas, roof coverings have been lost in many locations, leaving the building vulnerable to the elements.
A detailed programme of repair has been developed for all iron and steelwork. Larger trusses will remain in place and be fully stripped of lead paint, while smaller trusses may be removed for repair and reinstated. Roof coverings will be replaced with appropriate materials to provide a fully weather-tight roof.
Original slate and cast iron rainwater goods will be repaired and reused where possible. New lead and copper flashings will be installed throughout. Repairs will also be carried out to brick parapets, and a temporary roof will be installed over the service block between the two market buildings, making the entire complex weather-tight.
There are currently 581 panes of glass on the roof of the Dry Market and 393 panes on the roof of the Wet Market. These panes date from various periods, with some original rough cast wired glass still in place. A new glazing system is required to meet modern safety standards for occupied buildings. The replacement system will reflect the original appearance when viewed from below, while all historic glass will be safely stored on site upon completion of the works.
Although it’s not yet known when the Iveagh Markets will officially reopen and be brought back into use, these works signal a major step forward for a site that has been vacant since the 1990s. As a symbol of Dublin 8 and the Liberties long tradition of street trading , the redevelopment of this site is highly anticipated by the community.
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