Ireland's unit of currency is the Euro, divided into 100 cents or centimes. Banknotes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500, while coins are in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 centimes and 1 and 2 Euros.

The cost of living in Ireland is high, especially in Dublin, which was ranked the 13th most expensive city in which to live in a recent global cost of living survey (Mercer, 2005). It has been reported that monthly living costs in Dublin are around EUR 1000 for a single person and around EUR 3000 for a family of four. It costs EUR 1500 upwards to rent a good quality two-bedroom apartment in the city. A meal for one in a Dublin restaurant is likely to cost anything between EUR 25 and EUR 75, but it is possible to eat more cheaply in bars and cafes. The cost of living is a little lower in other parts of the country.

Typical grocery prices include:

Loaf of bread EUR 1.30
2 kg potatoes EUR 2.50
Whole frozen chicken EUR 6.50
12 eggs EUR 1.60
Pint of milk EUR 0.50
Instant coffee EUR 3.00
Apples (each) EUR 0.30

Some restaurants add a service charge of 10-15% to the bill. If this is not included, it is common practice to leave a tip for the waiting staff of around 10%. Small tips are also usually given to taxi drivers and hotel porters.