“This is the first upgrade of Ireland’s rating from S&P since May 2023 and is the first time that S&P has rated Ireland at AA+ since 2009,” the agency said in a statement. “Today’s S&P rating upgrade to AA+ is another positive development for Ireland,” said Dave McEvoy, director of funding and debt management at the NTMA. “It reflects positive international investor sentiment and further improvements in Ireland’s debt metrics, with Irish bonds now trading close to core European sovereign issuers. S&P rated Ireland at as low as BBB+, seven levels below AAA, but three steps above “junk”, during the worst of the downturn. Two of the world’s three main credit ratings agencies – Fitch and Morningstar DBRS – currently have an AA stance on Ireland.

Source: The Irish Times March 20, 2026 22:56 UTC