Retail sector worst hit as insolvency levels for Ireland remain remarkably steady

The retail sector recorded the highest level of first-quarter insolvencies with 50

The average lifespan of companies declaring insolvency in was just under 14 years, up from just under 12 years for 2025. The shortest-lived company was less than a year old, while the longest lifespan was almost 54 years.

Ireland recorded 212 business insolvencies in the first quarter this year, with the retail sector being the most impacted.

PwC’s Insolvency Barometer said the figure is broadly in line with recent quarterly averages of approximately 205 since the start of 2023 and said it continues the trend of remarkably stable insolvency numbers over the past three years.