Dillon Eustace Wins Two Finance Dublin Deals of the Year 2026 Awards

Dillon Eustace is delighted to have advised on two transactions recognised in the Finance Dublin Deals of the Year 2026, reinforcing the Firm’s position in complex and innovative transactions.

The Firm acted on the award-winning Irish Housebuilding Equity Fund (IHEF) and Confirmo deals, reflecting the scale, sophistication and multi-disciplinary nature of services we provide to our clients.

This recognition highlights the strength of Dillon Eustace’s Banking and Capital Markets, Financial Services Regulation, Corporate, Real Estate, Construction and Taxation teams, and their ability to deliver commercially focused advice on high-value, strategic mandates.

We would like to thank our clients for their continued trust in Dillon Eustace and for the opportunity to support them on these landmark transactions.

About the winning deals

Irish Housebuilding Equity Fund

The Irish Housebuilding Equity Fund (IHEF), managed by Pearl Capital, represents a significant initiative to address Ireland’s housing shortage by unlocking much-needed equity financing for developers. The €100 million fund, backed by leading institutional investors including the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund and Bank of Ireland, has already completed its first three investments, supporting both emerging and established housebuilders.

The transactions involved complex, multi-disciplinary coordination across property, corporate, construction, banking and tax workstreams, alongside multiple stakeholders. These initial projects are expected to deliver over 1,600 new homes, spanning private, social and affordable housing.

IHEF demonstrates a scalable partnership financing model aimed at increasing housing supply and supporting the long-term financial sustainability of the residential development sector.

Commenting on the IHEF deal, Head of Banking and Capital Markets, Mark Thorne, said:

“The delivery of housing remains a critical national priority, and initiatives like the Irish Housebuilding Equity Fund play a vital role in addressing the equity funding gap facing developers. It was a pleasure to work alongside Pearl Capital on the establishment of this €100 million fund and its first three investments, which demonstrate the strength of the partnership financing model in supporting both emerging and established housebuilders.

These were complex, multi-disciplinary transactions requiring close coordination across legal and commercial workstreams, but they are particularly rewarding given their tangible impact. The projects are expected to deliver over 1,600 much-needed homes across private, social and affordable housing. Unlocking sustainable funding for housing development is key to increasing supply, and we are proud to have played a role in these important investments.”

Confirmo

The process involved navigating the evolving MiCA framework in close engagement with the Central Bank of Ireland. Confirmo also secured a second licence under the Payment Services Regulations, enabling it to provide stablecoin payment services within the EU.

Commenting on the Confirmo deal, Head of Financial Regulation, Keith Waine, said:

“We are delighted to have supported Confirmo on this landmark achievement. Their decision to base their EU regulated business in Ireland reflects both the strength of their business and Ireland’s growing appeal as a hub for innovative financial services. We congratulate the Confirmo team and look forward to their continued success.”