Dublin Economic Monitor

Dublin acted as a growth engine for the Irish economy in the opening quarter of 2026, posting much sharper increases in output and new orders than had been seen at the end of 2025. In fact, the expansion in the capital contrasted with a slight fall in business activity across the Rest of Ireland. Whether the strong performance over the opening quarter will continue into Q2 remains to be seen, with companies now having to contend with higher prices, supply-chain disruption and economic uncertainty as a result of the war in the Middle East.

The latest Dublin Economic Monitor shows that the Capital's economy closed out 2025 on a solid footing. Business activity has strengthened, consumer and tourism spending remain healthy, and housing completions have accelerated sharply. However, the data also point to a gradual cooling in parts of the labour market and a softer FDI environment, highlighting a more balanced and sustainable phase of growth. The challenge now is to convert this resilience into longer-term momentum by maintaining competitiveness, scaling up housing delivery and supporting investment in the years ahead.