Cost of food and other articles in Ireland?

naigewron

Hi,

I'm going to Ireland for the first time in August. Going to stay for 14 weeks. I need to set up a little budget to survive during these weeks.

How much does you, an average irishman spend on needy stuff a week?
- Amusement things like movie, bowling, golf, swimming etc...?
- Dinner, lunch etc at a café or a restaurant?
- Beer and pubs?

Important for a hobby cook as me:
- What about food you buy in the grocery store? Articles like:
-- Chicken, pork, beef? BACON?
-- Eggs?
-- Milk, cottage cheese, cheese, etc?
-- Bread, oatmeal?
-- Vegetables and fruit?
-- Other toppings?

I've heard rumors that said you irishmen says it's quite expensive living in Ireland. What's your opinion?

If you have a great list that is way over my expectations, I'll wish you glory and all that!:D

Sorry about my poor english.

tenchi-fan

You didn't say where you are from!

Ireland isn't too expensive once you shop around. Some restaurants have sky high prices, but other really nice restaurants often do set menus (e.g 3 courses) with special offers before 7pm.

Eggs, chicken, bread, etc is all relatively cheap compared to other countries I've been to. If you are used to preparing cheap cuts of meat you will get some good deals.

Alcohol can be expensive compared to other countries, particularly in pubs and shops. if you like to drink to get drunk you will be penniless fairly quick.

Go to Tesco.ie and register for online shopping, It will give you a fair idea of prices.

later12

It's hard to give you exact figures so here are some comparisons; useful if you are used to moving around western Europe.

You will find food slightly more expensive than, say, Germany, and much more expensive than in, say, Portugal or Italy, and approximately on a par with London. However, that's in terms of groceries - you can get some exceptionally good deals when eating out.

Accomodation is cheaper than London or Paris certainly, but roughly in line with major UK cities, or Berlin.

Nightlife can vary a lot but can be generally similar to a night out at mid-level London/ Parisian hostelries or the slightly more expensive Berlin social scene. Much more expensive than the Iberian peninsula. Hope that helps a little.

Amhran Nua

tenchi-fan wrote: »

You didn't say where you are from!

I'm guessing Norway.

rossie1977

regarding groceries simply sign up at tesco online and you will get all the prices, tesco is the biggest supermarket in ireland and its prices are similiar to other supermarkets such as dunnes and supervalu http://www.tesco.ie/ the german budget chains of lidl and aldi are cheaper for most things imo but they don't have as large a selection

as for as dinner, its roughly €9-12 for a dinner between 12pm and 4pm in bars/restaurants, more expensive after that usually

beer in pubs can range from about €3.50 a pint down to country to over €6 in touristy bars in dublin, alcohol is much cheaper to buy in the big supermarkets named above

it costs between €6-9 to see a movie in the cinema, usually more after 6pm

theteal

OP, in what part of Ireland will you spend most of your visit?

maringo

Check out aldi.ie and lidl.ie (the German supermarkets). That will give you an idea of prices. I find most stuff I need in these shops and much cheaper prices than tesco/dunnes/superquinn/supervalue. I never buy meat in Tesco. I find Supervalu Irish meat is very good quality too and they often have offers on. Dunnes Stores also do good quality meat. Irish beef and lamb (although very expensive) is very good as cows and sheep are out on pasture and not "farmed" as pork is. Aldi and Lidl do a very good free-range chicken for about 5 euro. They have woken up the other supermarkets who are in competition. However, I find still big price differences between the German supermarkets and the others. That's why the aldi and lidl are gaining a bigger share of the market - with money tight in this recession people are waking up and shopping around I certainly am.

naigewron

Yeah, I forgot to mention that I'm a Norwegian, and my destination is Cork.

Not so thirsty for alcohol, but have to taste some irish beer and whisky when I'm down there!

Thanks a lot, I found this very helpful Gonna check out aldi, lidl and tesco and get some ideas. A students economy need an ok budget:p

Balmed Out

City or county?
Check out festivals in Clonakilty, Timoleague (fancy dress, pig racing) and rosscarberry in august.

Cheapest pint in the county would be 3 euros during a match. Normal in the county about 4. In the city varies from 4.30 to 4.80.

Eating out varies massively but off peak you will get 3 courses for 20 euros. Easily get something in a medium restraunt for around a tenner.

Evenings and your talking 14 euros and up.

Get a bottle of whiskey at the duty free leaving Norway if they have it!

Sandwich with a cofee for lunch can cost less then a fiver if you Know where to go to 8/9 euros in a place like o'briens.

naigewron

Cork city!
Think I'm arriving a little too late in August to watch pig racing. Unfortunately.. Sounds like fun!

After reading your posts, Ireland doesn't seem to be as expensive as I thought!:)

uli84

I find it pretty cheap and I am from Poland