Irish M&A set to grow as dealmakers 'alert to shifting dynamics but ready to act' 

KPMG's Annual M&A Outlook found most dealmakers believe the Irish mergers and acquisitions market will grow this year

KPMG corporate finance partner David O'Kelly said dealmakers are 'alert to shifting dynamics but ready to act' following a year of global market shocks and geopolitical uncertainty.

Most dealmakers are optimistic the Irish mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market will grow this year, a survey of executives has found, with technology expected to be the busiest sector in 2026.

KPMG's Annual M&A Outlook included insights from executives involved in corporate deals in Ireland. Respondents overwhelmingly anticipate that deal volumes will either increase (56%) or remain broadly stable (42%) in the coming year, indicating a buoyant M&A market for 2026.

Some 77% of respondents surveyed plan to pursue M&A opportunities in 2026, down from a peak of 84% in 2025. A significant majority (86%) of M&A leaders describe financing as either “abundant and readily accessible” or “adequate but with some constraints”. KPMG corporate finance partner David O'Kelly said dealmakers are adopting a pragmatic mindset following a year of global market shocks and geopolitical uncertainty, "alert to shifting dynamics but ready to act”. 

"While confidence has moderated slightly from the buoyant optimism that marked the start of 2025, our survey shows sentiment remains resilient," said Mr O'Kelly.  

There is a notable spike in appetite for investment in the technology sector driven by the rising AI boom and delivery efficiency agenda. Dealmakers expect sectors technology (35%), healthcare and pharmaceuticals (16%), and energy and infrastructure (13%) to be the most active in 2026.

"The Irish M&A market appears primed for another dynamic year, underpinned by strong fundamentals and a mature, risk-aware outlook among market participants. We are already seeing a very healthy pipeline for 2026 across a broad range of sectors, particularly in technology, but also in healthcare, energy and infrastructure,” said KPMG in Ireland's head of deal advisory Mark Collins.

An increased emphases on due diligence in finance, legal and regulatory, and commercial is expected this year. KPMG believes this reflects buyers' growing emphasis on potential risks and "gaining a comprehensive view of a target's health before completion". This contributes to longer deal timelines. Quick access to financing is also less of an imperative as longer deal timelines provide buyers more time to secure funding.

KPMG's Annual M&A Outlook survey included opinions from 150 executives involved in corporate deals in Ireland and Northern Ireland and was conducted in December.