The price of alcohol in Ireland is the highest in the European Union, new data from Eurostat has concluded. 

Ireland is famed throughout the world for the iconic Guinness brand and numerous high quality whiskeys. However, the Irish Government has decided that such pleasures should not come cheap and the price of alcohol is 205% of the EU average. 

By contrast, drinking is cheapest in Bulgaria (64% of the EU average), followed by Poland (72%); Eurostat concluded the difference is mostly down to the amount of tax levied on alcohol. 

Unsurprisingly, housing costs - which include energy - in Ireland are also high and are 89% above the EU average. 

While similarly hotels and restaurants in Ireland are not cheap at 128% of the EU average. 

B5CPHN Visitors arriving and departing at the Gresham Hotel O. Connell St Dublin Ireland

Overall, Ireland is the second most expensive country in the EU to live - behind only Denmark - but Darragh Cassidy from Bonkers.ie said Ireland could possibly even top the table if childcare costs were included: 

“Childcare [costs] are absolutely astronomical here,” he explained to Newstalk. 

“Now this doesn’t seem to be included in the figures from Eurostat but if it were I would imagine it would send our costs even more through the roof. 

“Listeners will know that the cost of maybe sending one kid to childcare for a month can be anywhere from maybe €800 to €1,000 a month. 

“Whereas in some countries it can be free.” 

Pre-school birthday party. Image: Kzenon / Alamy Stock Photo

The figures were compiled using data from 2021 - prior to the cost of living crisis. Meaning next year’s figure will almost certain be worse: 

“Now it has to be said that prices are increasing throughout Europe,” he continued. 

“Inflation is an issue throughout Europe but certainly in Ireland we’re coming off a pretty high rate to begin with.”

Last month inflation in Ireland hit 8.3%.

Main image: Barkeeper pulling a pint of beer behind the bar. Picture by: Alamy.com