Tipping in Ireland
Tipping expectedService Breakdown
Notes by Service
10–12.5% is standard if no service charge is included.
€1–2 per bag for porters; optional for housekeeping.
Round up or add 10%.
10% is a good tip.
Buying a round is the Irish tradition; cash tips are not common at the bar.
10% is polite for good service.
€5–10 per person is appreciated.
€1–2 is a kind gesture.
About Tipping in Ireland
Overview
Tipping in Ireland is appreciated and expected at sit-down restaurants, but noticeably more relaxed than in the UK or US. Ten percent is the going rate for table service; check the bill first since many restaurants add a discretionary service charge.
When to Tip
Tip at sit-down restaurants, with taxis (rounding up), in hotels, and with hairdressers. At pubs where you order at the bar, tipping is not the norm — though offering the bartender "one for yourself" (the price of their own drink) is a traditional Irish gesture of appreciation.
How to Tip
Look for a service charge on your restaurant bill before adding anything. If not included, 10% in cash or via card is appropriate. For taxis, round up to the nearest euro or add a euro or two.
Cultural Context
The pub tradition of "one for yourself" is one of Ireland's genuinely distinctive service customs — it treats the relationship between customer and bartender as social rather than purely transactional. Irish service workers earn at least minimum wage, so tips are appreciated but not the difference between making rent and not.