AG and clients win three Deal of the Year titles at Finance Dublin 2026 Awards
Addleshaw Goddard (AG) has been recognised with three Deals of the Year awards at the Finance Dublin 2026 Awards for work with clients Goodbody Stockbrokers and DunPort Capital Management. The accolades highlight AG’s strength in delivering complex, cross-border M&A and financing transactions for clients across international markets.
The firm was awarded M&A Deal of the Year and Loans & Financing – Acquisition Financing Deal of the Year for advising Goodbody Stockbrokers on the Pandox AB / Eiendomsspar AS acquisition of Dalata Hotel Group plc. The transaction marked the largest public takeover of an Irish-listed company in 2025 and involved the acquisition of Ireland’s largest hotel group, owner of the Clayton and Maldron brands.
This deal was distinguished by its highly international and multi-jurisdictional nature. The bidder consortium was headquartered in Norway and Sweden, the acquisition financing was provided by a Norwegian lender, and the target operated across Ireland, the UK and Europe, with listings on both the Dublin and London stock exchanges. Addleshaw Goddard advised Goodbody, financial adviser to the bidder, on the Irish Takeover Rules “cash confirmation” process, ensuring that the funding arrangements met the requirements of a complex public M&A transaction.
The mandate showcased seamless collaboration between the firm’s Dublin and London teams, highlighting the value of integrated cross-border expertise on transactions spanning multiple jurisdictions, regulatory regimes and financing structures.
Deborah Kelly, Partner and Head of Corporate in Dublin, adds:
“This transaction reflects the continued strong interest from international investors in high-quality Irish assets and the sophistication of the market for public M&A. It was a privilege to support Goodbody together with our colleagues in London on a deal of such scale and strategic importance, and to see it recognised across both M&A and financing categories.”
Addleshaw Goddard also received M&A Secondary Buyout Deal of the Year for our role advising DunPort Capital Management on the financing of Waterland’s investment in Cruinn Diagnostics. This transaction involved a complex leveraged finance structure, including a first-out/last-out (FOLO) arrangement, with Bank of Ireland providing the first-out facilities and DunPort Capital providing the last-out debt. The structure required detailed negotiation of intercreditor arrangements, and the integration of additional invoice discounting facilities, reflecting the differing risk and return profiles of the lenders.
The deal highlights Addleshaw Goddard’s expertise in structuring and executing intricate, multi-layered financing solutions, while safeguarding the interests of clients in competitive leveraged finance markets.
Ray Byrne, Finance Partner at Addleshaw Goddard in Dublin, says:
“We are delighted to have advised on the financing supporting Waterland’s investment in Cruinn Diagnostics, a transaction that highlights both the continued strength of private equity-backed healthcare investment in Ireland and the evolving nature of leveraged finance structures. This deal was notable for its sophisticated first-out/last-out structure, requiring close alignment between lenders with distinct risk and return profiles, as well as carefully balanced intercreditor arrangements.
“Our role focused on navigating these complexities to deliver a financing solution that met the commercial objectives of all stakeholders while appropriately protecting lender positions. The transaction underscores Addleshaw Goddard’s strength in structuring and executing complex, multi-layered financing arrangements in competitive markets, and our ability to support clients on innovative deal structures within tight timelines.”
The AG teams were led by Deborah Kelly (Corporate), Ray Byrne (Finance) and Caoilfhionn Ní Chuanacháin (Disputes) in Dublin, and Giles Distin (Corporate Finance) in London, working closely with Goodbody and DunPort Capital Management.
