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ARTICLE · 28 JULY 2025

Inbound Activity - M&A Half Year Review 2025

William Fry LLP
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William Fry LLP

William Fry LLP

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There were 148 deals announced for Irish companies by overseas buyers and investors in the first half of the year – that included 83 first-quarter transactions, more than in any other quarter in the past five years.

IrelandCorporate/Commercial Law
Fiachra Cork
Fiachra Cork
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International interest in Irish targets remains elevated.

There were 148 deals announced for Irish companies by overseas buyers and investors in the first half of the year – that included 83 first-quarter transactions, more than in any other quarter in the past five years.

Overall, in value terms, the first half slowed somewhat with a total of €7.1bn worth of deals, down on the same period last year. Indeed, 15 of the 20 largest transactions over the first half were led by inbound investors, including nine of the top 10.

Overseas interest in Irish companies is still most likely to come from UK bidders, who accounted for 58 of the 148 inbound deals during the first half. Despite the international trade uncertainties which US companies are currently facing, these businesses also remain an important part of the Irish M&A picture; there were 41 bids for Irish companies from US acquirers in the first half of the year – up from last year's total of 24 during the same

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