Protect, Restore, Return the Iveagh Markets to the Local Community and the People of Dublin!

The Iveagh Markets on Francis Street in Dublin 8, with a history tied to the market traders and people of the Liberties, has been closed for over 25 years and left to decay.

This petition to Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien TD, Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan TD, TDs and local Councillors, calls for:

1. Urgent action to be taken now by Dublin City Council to protect the Iveagh Markets building from decaying any further and preserve it for future generations.

2. Meaningful public consultation and local community involvement on the future of the Iveagh Markets as a publicly-owned market that serves the people of Dublin.

Background

The Iveagh Markets was one of Dublin's largest indoor markets selling new and second-hand clothes, furniture and household items as well as fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry and fish. It served the people of Dublin for over 80 years, made an important contribution to the social life of the city and is a core part of the Liberties history. It is also one of an impressive group of buildings and places located in, or close to the Liberties that were donated to the citizens of Dublin, by the Guinness family.

In 1906 Edward Guinness gifted the Iveagh Markets to the people of Dublin and it was handed over in trust to Dublin Corporation (now Dublin City Council) on a 99-year lease, to be “held and maintained” as a market.

In the early 1990s Dublin Corporation announced plans for its refurbishment and the Iveagh Markets closed its doors to the public. Three years later, in 1996, the corporation said it was seeking a private developer to redevelop the market. The following year Dublin Corporation sold a 500-year lease on it to hotelier Martin Keane, to develop the market into a commercial operation.

The Iveagh Markets was never developed, despite planning permission and over the years the building fell into disrepair and legal dispute.

This historic marketplace and protected building continues to decay and plans for its future development remain unclear.

Neglect

An Taisce identified the Iveagh Markets as one of Ireland’s top 10 most-at-risk buildings.

Listen to An Taisce's Head of Advocacy, discuss the importance of the Iveagh Markets, the impact of decades of neglect on the building and how old market hall buildings are used in other European cities (4 mins).

In February 2023 Dublin City Council announced that it would undertake emergency works to secure and preserve the roof of this historic building, which was badly damaged by a storm in 2021, to prevent further deterioration of the building’s fabric.

This restoration work has yet to start

Take Action

What happens to the Iveagh Markets should take account of the views and voices of the local community and the people of Dublin.

What’s the future of the Iveagh Markets if we don’t take action?

? It falls into irreparable disrepair - a fate it has almost succumbed to already

? It becomes yet another hotel for tourists while community and culture suffer the consequence

Have Your Say - Sign and Share the Petition Today

Stand with & Support Friends of the Iveagh Markets. Stay updated on the campaign - follow @friendsoftheiveaghmarkets on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter/X and actively support the campaign’s events, activities and calls for action.

Raise the issue with your Local TDs and Councillors