Europe

Money, cards and tipping in Ireland

Capital: DublinEnglish, IrishUpdated October 2026

EUREuro

Money in Ireland

Cards almost everywhere Cards and phones are accepted almost everywhere, including most taxis and pubs. Carry some cash for rural B&Bs, markets and small shops. US$1 ≈ €0.89 (03 Oct 2026).

Key facts

Tipping: 10–15% in restaurants when service isn't included; nothing for drinks at the bar; round up taxi fares.
ATMs: Bank ATMs (AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB) don't add fees; avoid Euronet machines and decline currency conversion.
Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted almost everywhere; the card contactless limit is €50.
Price level: about 85% of US prices (World Bank PPP).

Cash or card, by place

Place	Cards	Notes
Dublin	Cards almost everywhere	Contactless almost everywhere, including buses and pubs. Carry some cash for markets and a few older pubs.
Galway	Cards almost everywhere	Contactless nearly everywhere. Carry some cash for markets, small cafés, buskers and some island and rural businesses.
Cork	Cards almost everywhere	Contactless almost everywhere. Carry some cash for English Market stalls, small cafés and some rural pubs.
Killarney	Cards almost everywhere	Cards accepted in most hotels, pubs and shops. Keep some cash for jaunting cars, bike hire and small rural cafés.
Dingle	Cards almost everywhere	Cards work in most pubs, hotels and shops. Carry some cash for bike hire, boat trips and small rural cafés.
Kilkenny	Cards almost everywhere	Contactless widely accepted. Carry some cash for craft stalls, markets and small family-run pubs.
Limerick	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere. Carry some cash for markets and small pubs.

Quick answers

Do you tip in Ireland?

10–15% in restaurants when service isn't included; nothing for drinks at the bar; round up taxi fares.

Is Ireland cashless?

Cards almost everywhere. Cards and phones are accepted almost everywhere, including most taxis and pubs. Carry some cash for rural B&Bs, markets and small shops.

What currency does Ireland use?

The Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 (03 Oct 2026).

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.