Browsing for food in Ireland is often a challenge. Not is there a vast difference in available products from that of mainland Europe… but there is also a considerable difference in prices. On average, a consumer can expect to spend twice as much money on food and drinks than that of someone in the Netherlands or France.
 
In general, everything is higher priced here. You will pay the following for the basic foodstuff (January 2006 prices):

For those looking to save money, shopping in larger supermarkets such as Tesco or Dunnes can be a money-saving solution. Buying their branded products can also help you save a few dollars. 

Grocery stores stay open late, so consumers are able to shop for food without rushing home from work before the last store closes. Eastern Europeans will be pleased to find “Polski Skleps” where  “food from home”  can be purchased. Those from Poland will find this very comfortable.

When it comes to alcohol, there is no real good news for consumers. In fact, the Irish government heavily taxes alcoholic beverages, making them very expensive. 

While you can get an average quality bottle of wine in France for €3-4, a consumer can find nothing comparable in Ireland. The cheapest wine I could locate was approximately €3.60, but the quality was pathetic. If you a wine aficionado, prepare to pay €8+ for an average red, while real quality wines start at over €15.

The same is true of beer. Local brands boast hefty price tags. The imported beers are outrageous. The cheapest brews are the local stouts while the import lagers weigh in as the most expensive.

For females who turn their nose up at the sight of a foamy beer, the popular substitute is the so-called cider, actually a light, bubbled apple wine. Priced similarly to the local beers, it is filled with about the same amount of alcohol.

Dedicated “off license” liquor stores sometimes advertise better deals. Some shops even have their own dedicated off license section.