The structure, located on Francis Street, has stood vacant for over 30 years and has faced considerable decline during that time.
Dublin City Council is now in the process of seeking tenders for essential repair work, estimated to cost around €11m. This funding has been allocated over three years, from 2024 to 2026.
By October 10, roughly €326,495 had already been spent on preliminary works. A claim was submitted to the Department of Heritage for a drawdown of €244,871, which represents about 75pc of the total expenditures incurred up to that date.
The spend to date has covered asbestos testing, design study, ecological consultancy, labour costs for construction and refurbishment, and costs relating to site investigation and topographical survey.
The overall initiative aims to ensure the structural integrity of the Iveagh Markets and facilitate its restoration and future use within the community.
Recent actions taken by Dublin City Council included the installation of safety measures to protect workers as initial preparations were made.
These repairs are crucial for stabilising the building and preventing any further deterioration.
The preliminary steps also allowed for the removal of loose materials and vegetation, facilitating safer access to the building for ongoing assessments.
The comprehensive repair programme will focus on various aspects of the market’s infrastructure, including extensive work on the roof and windows.
A recent photograph taken of the wet market section of the Iveagh Markets
While this restoration effort is expected to take between 12 and 18 months, it will not make the markets immediately ready for public use.
The future ownership and management of the Iveagh Markets remains uncertain, with ongoing legal disputes adding complexity to the restoration process.
Next year, extensive repairs will commence on the roof, parapet, and large skylights of both the ‘wet market’ and ‘dry market’.
The project will include stabilising the inward-leaning parapet at the northeast corner, reinforcing the Diocletian-style arched windows and their associated brickwork in the dry market, and ensuring the security of windows and doors.
Additionally, structural columns that have become exposed will be secured, and measures will be taken to manage vegetation growth to prevent further damage to the buildings.
The plan also involves the removal of lead paint and the establishment of safe access routes for regular inspections and maintenance.
Originally constructed in 1907 by the Guinness family, the markets have a rich history that the community is keen to preserve.
Despite the challenges, local advocates have expressed optimism about the restoration, viewing it as a vital step towards revitalising the area and honouring Dublin’s market traditions.
The Iveagh Market was gifted to the people of Dublin by the Guinness family in 1906 and sold by DCC to developer and hotelier Martin Keane after its closure in the 1990s.
Dublin City Council is involved in a number of legal proceedings in relation to the Iveagh Markets, which are currently before the courts. As such, the council said it is “unable to make any further comment”.
