Drinking age and alcohol sales in Ireland (2026)

Last reviewed: 29 October 2026

In short: The minimum age to buy alcohol in Ireland is 18. A person under 18 may drink at home only with a parent's or guardian's explicit consent. Children may be in a bar with a parent or guardian until 9.00 pm.

RuleWhat applies
Minimum age to buy beer and wineBuying and drinking alcohol18 years [1]
Minimum age to buy spiritsBuying and drinking alcohol18 years [1]
Drinking by younger people with an adultBuying and drinking alcoholA person under 18 may drink in a private residence only with the explicit consent of a parent or guardian, who must be present or allow it. In a bar, a child with a parent or guardian may be present from 10.30 am (12.30 pm on Sunday) to 9.00 pm, unless this could harm the child's health, safety or welfare. [1]
Drinking in public placesBuying and drinking alcoholSection 17 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 makes it an offence to drink, within 100 metres of the licensed premises, intoxicating liquor supplied by the licensee in a closed container for consumption off the premises. The fine is up to EUR 300 for the drinker. The section covers only this case; it is not a general ban on drinking in public. [2]
Where and when alcohol is soldBuying and drinking alcoholSelling alcohol for drinking off the premises is allowed only between 10.30 am and 10.00 pm on most days, and between 12.30 pm and 10.00 pm on Sundays and Saint Patrick's Day. Under the 2003 Act, prohibited hours in licensed premises on other Mondays to Thursdays are before 10.30 am and after 11.30 pm, and on other Fridays and Saturdays before 10.30 am and after 12.30 am. [3]

Notes

  • The 2008 Act schedule names section 31 of the 1988 Act ('sale of intoxicating liquor to under-age person'). The age of 18 was read from the 2003 Act, which amends and refers to that section. The text of section 31 itself could not be read on an official site.
  • The 2003 Act also lets people aged 15 to 17 be in a bar between the same hours. Private functions with a substantial meal have separate rules. Only the main cases are shown here.
  • Other rules, such as local by-laws, were not checked and may apply.
  • Special days such as Christmas Day and Good Friday have their own rules, which were not checked.

Sources

  1. Law Reform Commission (Irish Revised Acts): Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 (Number 31 of 2003), Revised (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Law Reform Commission (Revised Acts): Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 (revised) (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Law Reform Commission (Revised Acts): Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 (revised) (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.