Dublin City Council has begun the main phase of emergency repairs to secure the historic Iveagh Markets on Francis Street, backed by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund under Project Ireland 2040.

Developed by Edward Cecil Guinness, Lord Iveagh, as part of major regeneration in The Liberties at the turn of the twentieth century, the complex was designed to rehouse street traders displaced by nearby redevelopment. The site comprises a Wet Hall for fish, meat and fresh produce and a Dry Hall for clothing and household goods. Completed in 1906, the single-storey buildings occupy an entire city block of about 70 metres by 40 metres, with two semi‑glazed roofs of intricate geometric form supported on cast iron columns and perimeter masonry walls. The structures blend cast iron, wrought iron and mild steel to achieve impressive clear spans, representing a high point of metal‑framed construction.

This first in a series of regular updates outlines the second phase of extensive works that commenced in January 2026 to stabilise the roofs and primary structure and safeguard the markets for future public use.

In 2023, Dublin City Council appointed Howley Hayes Cooney Architects to lead the project design team for the emergency stabilisation of the roof. The wider team includes Austin Reddy & Co (Quantity Surveyor), CORA Consultant Engineers (Civil and Structural Engineers), Black & White Consulting Engineers (Mechanical and Electrical Engineers), Factfire (Fire Safety Consultant), Ashview Consultants (PSDP) and IAC Archaeology (Archaeologist).

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Following earlier enabling works, Kelbuild Ltd is delivering the substantive roof renewal. Work began in January 2026 and is expected to take approximately two years. The project forms part of the Council’s capital programme and is supported by the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.

Much of the original roof structure of both the Wet and Dry market buildings survives, including large wrought iron and mild steel trusses and the timber purlins, rafters and sarking boards. While areas of historic Westmorland Green slate remain, many roof coverings have been lost, leaving the interiors exposed. A detailed repair programme has been set out for all iron and steelwork. Larger trusses will be repaired in situ with lead paint fully removed, while smaller trusses may be taken down for repair and reinstated.

New roof coverings will be installed using appropriate materials to achieve a fully weather‑tight envelope. Original slate and cast iron rainwater goods will be repaired and reused where possible, and new lead and copper flashings will be fitted throughout. Brick parapets will be repaired, and a temporary roof will be placed over the service block between the halls to make the whole complex weather‑tight.

The current phase includes:

- Stabilisation works to the primary structure of the Dry Market building

- Removal of lead-based paint from timber and metalwork surfaces

- Full repair of both market roofs

- Installation of a temporary roof over the service block

Phase 1b works commenced in January 2026 and are anticipated to run for around two years. Key tasks in Q1 and Q2 2026 are:

- Stabilisation works within the Dry Market building

- Erection of scaffold within the Wet Market building

- Removal of lead-based paint within the Wet Market building

There are currently 581 panes on the Dry Market roof and 393 panes on the Wet Market roof, dating from various periods, with some original rough cast wired glass still present. A new glazing system is required to meet modern safety standards for occupied buildings. It will replicate the original appearance when viewed from below, and all historic glass will be safely stored on site once works are complete.