An Irish M&A transaction involving a small to medium-sized business typically takes between six and twelve months from initial engagement with an advisor to completion. The timeline breaks down roughly as follows: preparation and marketing (one to three months), indicative offers and selecting a preferred buyer (one to two months), due diligence (two to three months), and legal documentation and completion (one to two months). Delays most commonly arise during due diligence — often due to incomplete financial records or unresolved legal issues in the target business. Good preparation before going to market is the single most effective way to keep the process on track and on time.
