CRIFVision-Net’s Q1 2026 data reveals a complex yet resilient Irish economy. Despite global geopolitical and economic pressures, domestic business activity shows a defiant 14% year-on-year increase in new company registrations.
Growth is particularly concentrated in sectors requiring long-term confidence, including:
- Tech & Computing: up 63%, reaffirming Ireland’s status as a high-growth tech hub.
- Manufacturing & Construction: increased by 46% and 32% respectively, showing a robust commitment to industrial growth despite rising costs.
- Professional Services: while seeing a marginal 1.3% dip, it remains the highest-volume sector with 1,327 new registrations.
Regional performance indicates a healthy decentralisation of activity. While Dublin remains the engine (+18% increase), significant growth was recorded in Kildare (+39%) and Limerick (+18%), Cork (+17%), and Galway (+11%) amongst other counties.
However, the data also suggests a more cautious tone among new market entrants. First-time directors fell by eight per cent (from 8,880 to 8,128), indicating that seasoned entrepreneurs are driving the current expansion rather than newcomers. On a positive note, commercial judgments fell 11% in volume and 44% in value, signalling a sharp decline in high-value debt recoveries.
The defining feature of 2026 is the delicate balance between opportunity and pressure. This rise in start-ups is a testament to a dynamic business community choosing expansion amidst continued uncertainty.
To navigate well documented macro complexities, we must remain defiant yet clear-eyed regarding financial risks.
Source: CRIF
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