Many visitors will arrive on Ireland’s soil from the USA as many Americans can trace their ancestry, roots, or family back to the Emerald Isle.
As most people know, tipping is a way of life in the USA but is that the same in other places. As it is customary to tip in the US, you may be wondering how much you should tip in Ireland?
Here we will take a look at some different services and industries and provide you with a guide of how much you should tip in Ireland.
How much to tip servers in Ireland?
Most people are accustomed to tipping serving staff in restaurants or food outlets, but unlike the generally accepted 18 -20% gratuity that’s normally paid in the USA the going rate in Ireland can be 10% or less depending on where you eat.
The Irish people pride themselves on making you welcome and attending to your needs so tipping is not expected. Though it has become a little more customary in larger cities like Dublin, especially in the more populated or ‘touristy’ areas.
If you are eating at a decent restaurant you may find that the tip or ‘service charge’ has already been added to the bill so there is no need to leave any additional.
If it is not added then you should leave around 10%- 12.5% of the total. If you feel that the service was really impeccable then you can go a little higher.
When you are eating at a cafe or fast food type place then a tip is not required at all. There may be a ‘tip jar’ in evidence on the counter of these establishments and you can throw in a bit of loose change if you feel inclined, but no-one will glare at you if you choose not to.
Tip: One controversy going on in Ireland is that some restaurant owners don’t share tips with the servers at all! So you might want to ask your server ahead of time who gets the tips because there is no use of tipping for good service if the owner isn’t sharing it with the servers!
How Much to tip Bartenders in Ireland?
If you are indulging in the Irish tradition of having a few Guinnesses then relax. Tipping in pubs and bars is not expected in the least in Ireland and especially not for every round.
This is predicated on the fact that bartenders, like serving staff, in Ireland are paid at least a minimum hourly wage as designated by the government. Not the 2 or 3 dollars per hour they might earn in the states.
If you happen to be in a large group and the bar staff is keeping you supplied with drinks at a fast pace then you can throw a couple of euros their way. If it is table service then tipping is a little more expected in that instance.
Some bartenders might be surprised of even affronted if you offer to tip so tread carefully even if you are just trying to genuinely reward them for good service. The occasional bartender may even go so far as to flat refuse to accept any tip offered, so be careful not to cause offense.
How much to tip a Concierge in Ireland?
Should you be staying at a higher-end hotel that provides a concierge you may find that they are very helpful with many things. They will provide advice on the best places to eat and shop, or the best city tours to go on.
For their services, concierges have no expectation of receiving a tip from you. However, if you feel that they have gone above and beyond to help you, or performed a task on your behalf that you know took them some time, then you can always drop a 5 euro note their way as a token of your appreciation.
How much to tip Housekeeping in Ireland
When staying in one of Ireland’s many hotels or accommodations you will most likely receive housekeeping service to change sheets, towels and keep your room generally tidy during your time there.
As with other service-related industries in Ireland, it is not expected that you tip as a matter of course for housekeeping and cleaning service. It will not be frowned upon at all if you vacate the hotel without leaving any extra for the housekeeping staff.
If you are extremely happy with the service that you receive then you may elect to leave a gratuity for the room staff of 1-2 euros for each day that you stay. So 5 days would be 5 to 10 euros. This is completely at your discretion.
How much to tip a Bellhop in Ireland?
After a long trip and arriving from a long flight you will most likely be checking in to one of Ireland’s many hotels to sleep off the jetlag. If you have several pieces of luggage with you the last thing you will want to do is haul every case and bag up to your room.
This is where the services of the trusty bellhop come in. Those nice people that do all the heavy work and transport all of your luggage to your room for you. Its physical work and it is customary to tip these people 1 to 2 euros for each case or bag that they move for you.
How much to tip a taxi in Ireland?
Taking a cab is an easy and relatively cheap way to get around in Ireland especially if you are staying in one of the larger cities. Taxi services and rideshare services like Uber are available in most populated areas. So do you tip in Ireland for can service or not?
Again, you will discover that tipping is relatively unexpected by taxi drivers but most people will round the fare up to a whole euro or number to put a little bit extra in the driver’s pocket.
You might also leave a tip if the driver has been extra helpful or provided you with local knowledge or some other information you might not have otherwise learned.
How much to tip a Tour Guide in Ireland?
At some point during your travels, you may decide that you want to learn more about the local culture and history of the place you are staying in. There is no better way to do that than book onto one of the many tours that are available.
Many areas of Ireland will have scheduled tours and walks that will provide a knowledgeable guide to educate you about the area and answer any questions that you have about the heritage.
Tipping your tour guide is customary and the rule of thumb is to pay 1 to 3 euros per family member attending the tour. So for a family of 4 people, you would expect to tip 4 to 8 euros. Also if you have been on a bus tour or similar it is also usual to tip the driver 1 or 3 euros.
How Much to Tip for a Haircut in Ireland?
While you are on vacation you may decide that you are in need of a haircut, barbering or something else along those lines. Unlike many of the other service industries, you may be surprised to learn that it is quite common to tip your hairstylist and somewhat expected.
The standard tip is usually 10 percent of the overall bill, more at your own discretion if you are really happy with the job. Often there is a person that has the task of washing your hair before the hairdresser or barber cuts it and many people opt to give the hair washer 2 or 3 euros for the service they provide.
How much to tip for a Manicure or Pedicure in Ireland
Going for a manicure or a pedicure is a nice way to treat yourself and relax while you are on vacation. Large cities and built-up areas have no shortage of beauty salons and lounges that you will be able to walk in to or schedule an appointment with.
Once you have received your treatment and received the bill then this service will fall into the same realm as hairdressers and barbers with tipping generally being expected at about 10% of the total. You can add an extra couple of euros if you feel the service was excellent.
What is ‘Luck Money’?
If you pay a bill of any kind in Ireland using cash you may find that the person you are paying hands you back a small value coin with your receipt.
This is what the Irish call ‘luck money’ and the tradition originated from ancient times where traders would give a penny back to their customers to wish them luck.
The practice continues today and is seen as a token of good luck and as a way for the trader or merchant to keep future business coming to them.
Summary
As you can see the overall tipping culture is a little bit different in Ireland but this guide should provide you with a good reference. It will also serve as a guide to when, where and exactly how much to pay for different services and keep you on track when it comes to leaving appropriate gratuities.
