Department profile

Capital Markets: Debt

Europe Guide 2026 : Ireland

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

About

Provided by McCann FitzGerald LLP

McCann FitzGerald LLP is proud of its market-leading finance practice, advising regulated and unregulated financial institutions, corporates and State bodies. We deliver solution-focused, top-tier advice across the full range of financial services, including corporate lending, treasury, derivatives, asset management, insurance, aircraft and large asset finance, project and infrastructure finance, and capital markets transactions.

As Ireland’s longest established finance practice, our award-winning lawyers have led many of the market’s most innovative structures and transactions. We act for both finance providers and corporate borrowers, bringing deep market knowledge and commercial insight to every mandate.

We advise on structuring and negotiating complex, high-value transactions and provide clear regulatory guidance, including on licensing and regulatory perimeter issues. We also design innovative, tax-efficient and commercially effective structures to support our clients’ strategic objectives.

Our expertise covers aircraft, ship and asset finance; leveraged, acquisition and real estate finance; capital markets and securitisation; derivatives and structured finance; financial regulation and risk; restructuring and insolvency; insurance and reinsurance; asset management and investment funds; stock exchange listings; project finance and PPPs; loan and asset sales; tax on financial transactions; and investigations and inquiries.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Capital Markets: Debt - Ireland

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

McCann FitzGerald enjoys an impressive corporate banking and asset finance department capable of assisting leading banks and financial institutions with complicated lending mandates. The law firm regularly acts for lender syndicates on the financing of important Dublin real estate developments. The team also advises alternative lenders on the provision of finance in support of M&A transactions. It has a noteworthy DCM practice, with particular expertise in securitisations and the establishment of note programmes. The law firm offers significant experience in green bond issuances as well as asset-backed securitisations. Its strong asset finance practice is particularly focused on the aviation sector.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

McCann FitzGerald advised Hammerson as the borrower on its refinancing of debt relating to the Dundrum Town Centre.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

McCann FitzGerald gets to know how its clients work and the broader strategy outside of the financing deal. The team always provides fast response times with concrete and practical advice.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
McCann FitzGerald provides legal expertise, a highly organised team and is client focused.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
McCann FitzGerald provides active engagement, communication, and strong advice.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
The McCanns team has significant depth and expertise and knows its clients inside and out. The lawyers are incredibly hard-working and pro-active and help manage transactions very efficiently.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
McCann's has a pro-active approach, and help drive and set the pace on a deal.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Band 1
Band 1
Hilary Marren
Hilary Marren focuses on asset finance and maintains a flourishing practice with regular mandates on behalf of both lenders and lessors.
Hilary Marren is commercially astute, has a reputation in the industry and builds leaders in her team with similar qualities.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
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Band 1
Band 1
Philip Murphy
Philip Murphy has substantial experience assisting with the negotiation of term loan facilities and development financing matters.
Philip Murphy is excellent at summarising complex legal situations in a way a non-legal banker can understand.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
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Band 2
Band 2
Adrian Farrell
Adrian Farrell acts on a variety of DCM matters, including the establishment of note programmes. His clients include prominent Irish investors and syndicates of international banks.
Adrian Farrell always breaks it down for us and gives easy examples.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
Adrian Farrell is an excellent lawyer and provides advice in a clear and pragmatic manner.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
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Band 2
Band 2
Eamon de Valera
Eamon de Valera has many years of experience and is well-versed in acquisition finance and financial restructurings. He regularly assists banks and real estate investors.
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Band 2
Band 2
Fergus Gillen
Fergus Gillen is an experienced DCM lawyer acting for financial institutions and alternative finance companies, as well as government departments.
Fergus consistently provides a top-class service in a calm and practical way. He gives very clear, pragmatic and commercial legal advice and is always very responsive.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
Fergus is a superb adviser and consistently delivers excellent results.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
Fergus Gillen is always patient, kind, available, and has outstanding technical knowledge.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
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Band 2
Band 2
Georgina O'Riordan
Georgina O'Riordan has extensive experience representing commercial lenders and aircraft lessors in aviation finance mandates. Her recent work in this field includes a number of major lease restructurings.
Georgina O'Riordan is a fantastic lawyer, she is extremely knowledgeable and very clever in her management of difficult situations.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
She's absolutely fantastic, I really enjoy working with Georgina. She's very pleasant and her experience in the aviation industry and diligence on transactions stands out.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
Georgina has a wonderful insight into how her clients operate and can see around corners on deals.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
Georgina O'Riordan is an invaluable partner and feels like an extension of our business.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
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Band 2
Band 2
Stuart McCarron
Stuart McCarron is well-versed in assisting clients with the negotiation of loan facilities and has experience acting for both borrowers and lenders.
Stuart McCarron cuts across issues and provides clear and simple advice. He is particularly strong at finding commercial solutions and bringing complex transactions to conclusion.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
Stuart brings a calm authority and strategic clarity to every stage of the transaction.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
Stuart McCarron has the ability to cut through complexity, provide commercially astute advice, and lead negotiations with confidence and professionalism.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
Stuart is an excellent lawyer who cuts across issues and provides clear and simple advice.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
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Band 2
Band 2
Tom Dane
Tom Dane is recognised for his experience in real estate and acquisition finance, acting for both lenders and borrowers on high-value deals.
Tom Dane is a highly experienced professional with strong commercial acumen.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
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Band 3
Band 3
Joe Fay
Joe Fay represents aircraft lessors in matters relating to the refinancing of aircraft portfolios, as well as the financing of aircraft acquisitions.
Joe Fay's strengths are his work ethic, industry knowledge and his way of building longstanding business relationships.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
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Band 4
Band 4
Niall McDowell
Niall McDowell assists clients with a range of corporate refinancing transactions.
Niall McDowell is a truly excellent solicitor.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
Niall McDowell is an excellent all-rounder and has an easy client-lawyer relationship.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
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Up and Coming
Up and Coming
Ian Payne
Up and coming partner Ian Payne comes highly recommended for his expertise in aviation finance. He is particularly visible is the areas of credit facilities, debt financing and syndicated lending.
Ian is a fantastic lawyer, who clearly loves working on transactions. He has a great insight into his clients businesses, which makes working with him very easy.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
Ian Payne is always willing to go to bat for his client and is a real team player.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
Ian Payne is a technically excellent lawyer.
Capital Markets: Debt respondentEurope
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