Limerick wealth management growth is accelerating as Davy opens a dedicated office on O’Connell Street, capitalising on a surge that has seen client numbers almost double and assets under management more than treble over a five-year period, according to stockbrokers Davy. While the public remains transfixed by the traditional hurling rivalry between Cork and Limerick, regional wealth managers are tracking a quiet shift in economic indicators that places Limerick second only to Dublin in disposable income per person.
Davy Expands on O’Connell Street as Limerick Wealth Surges
The decision to open a dedicated regional wealth hub in Limerick city was driven by concrete metrics rather than speculation, according to Davy. The firm’s internal data shows that growth in Limerick has significantly outpaced the wider group average over the past five years. This financial expansion mirrors broader demographic and income shifts captured by official state data.
According to county income figures released by the Central Statistics Office, Limerick ranks as the second wealthiest county in the State by disposable income per person at €30,879. This places it just ahead of Cork, which recorded €30,748 per person. While the margin is narrow, it underscores a sustained economic upward trajectory in the Mid-West region.
Did you know? According to Central Statistics Office data, Limerick’s disposable income per person stands at €30,879, placing it ahead of neighboring Cork in per capita terms.
Multinational Footprint Drives Mid-West Employment Growth
Behind the rise in regional wealth is an entrenched and expanding multinational ecosystem, anchored heavily by advanced manufacturing and life sciences. Companies like Analog Devices have maintained a presence at Raheen since the 1970s and continue to deepen local roots. Analog Devices recently announced a €630m investment expected to push its Limerick workforce past 2,000 employees.
Nearby, Eli Lilly’s biotech manufacturing campus at Raheen has also undergone significant expansion. Across Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary, 158 IDA client companies directly employ 28,125 people, with an estimated 22,500 additional jobs supported indirectly, according to regional development figures. IDA-backed employment across the Mid-West has expanded by 18% over a five-year window, with Limerick city capturing the highest volume of IDA site visits among the three counties last year.
Comparing Regional Scale: Limerick and Cork
Despite Limerick’s rapid rise in per capita metrics and localized investment, Cork retains a significantly larger absolute economic scale, driven overwhelmingly by corporation tax receipts. Net tax collections in Cork reached roughly €19.2bn in 2025, compared to €1.9bn collected in Limerick.
The stark difference in tax revenue is anchored by Cork’s massive multinational base, led by Apple and Eli Lilly operations in Kinsale, which contributed close to €13.8bn of that total figure alone. However, planners note that both regions are successfully fulfilling the National Planning Framework’s mandate to decentralize growth away from Dublin.
| Metric | Limerick | Cork |
|---|---|---|
| Disposable Income Per Person | €30,879 (CSO) | €30,748 (CSO) |
| 2025 Net Tax Receipts (Approx.) | €1.9bn | €19.2bn |
| IDA-Backed Direct Employment | Part of Mid-West’s 28,125 total | Anchored by Apple and Eli Lilly |
Infrastructure Pressures and Concentration Risks
Limerick Chamber has cautioned that the region remains overly reliant on a small cohort of large multinational employers. The business group is pressing the Government to increase backing for local infrastructure and small-to-medium enterprises.
This concern mirrors warnings issued nationally by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and the Central Bank regarding Ireland’s broader economic model. Economists note that while prosperity built on a handful of major multinational campuses is robust, it leaves regional and national economies exposed to global corporate shifts.
Pro Tip: When evaluating regional economic health, look beyond absolute tax receipts to per capita disposable income and local SME integration to measure true community resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Limerick’s disposable income compare to Cork?
According to Central Statistics Office data, Limerick ranks second in the State with a disposable income per person of €30,879, narrowly ahead of Cork at €30,748.
What is driving economic growth in the Mid-West?
Growth is primarily driven by an expanding multinational footprint in sectors like tech and life sciences, led by major employers such as Analog Devices and Eli Lilly in Raheen.
What concerns have business groups raised about Limerick’s economy?
Limerick Chamber has warned that the region is too dependent on a small group of large corporate employers, urging increased state investment in local infrastructure and SMEs.
What are your thoughts on the economic development of the Mid-West region? Share your perspective in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for ongoing regional economic updates.
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