The wealthiest part of Ireland is Dublin, consistently showing the highest disposable income per person and top household incomes, especially in its affluent suburbs like Malahide and Donabate, though the Southern region (including Cork and Wicklow) has extremely high GDP per capita due to multinational corporations. Other wealthy areas include Kildare, Wicklow, and parts of Cork and Limerick, with specific towns like Malahide, Ratoath, and Bearna leading in household earnings.
Dalkey. Dalkey is home to many property millionaires, with over 600 individuals owning homes in the area valued in the millions. The neighborhood's appeal lies not only in its natural beauty but also in its privacy and close proximity to Dublin city, just a short drive or DART train ride away.
The south of Ireland is the wealthiest region in the European Union, according to new figures released by Eurostat. The EU rankings put “Southern Ireland” in first place, stating that its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 286 per cent of the bloc's average in 2022.
Outside of Dublin the most expensive Eircode area was A63 'Greystones', with a mean dwelling price of €518,927. The second most expensive Eircode area outside of Dublin was A98 'Bray', where the mean price was €462,448. The third most expensive was P17 'Kinsale', which had a mean price of €402,189.
Of the 41 towns in the Republic of Ireland with a population of over 10,000 — excluding the suburbs of Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Galway and Waterford — Malahide was found to have by far the highest median household income, €78,631. Celbridge came in second with a median of €64,877.
According to Travel Safe, the following 10 residential areas are the safest within Ireland:
For most people, a household salary of €100,000 would put a family in the category of “rich”. And if you earned that last year, you were among the top 6.6pc of employees, Revenue figures show. The average gross pay for a PAYE worker nationwide was €42,100 in 2024, while the Dublin average was €49,500.
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The Ring of Kerry is renowned for its incredible landscapes, charming villages and rich cultural heritage, spread along the 111 miles of its route – it is undeniably one of the most beautiful places to visit in Ireland.
This growth was driven by favorable tax policies, foreign investment, a skilled workforce, EU membership, and globalization efforts. The boom resulted in Ireland transitioning from one of Europe's poorest countries to one of its wealthiest.
The highest poverty risk is found in Donegal, Leitrim and Mayo and the lowest in the counties around Dublin. However, there is considerable diversity within administrative planning regions. Louth and Sligo, for instance, show much lower relative poverty risk than the other counties in the Border region.
Holding a regular spot on The Sunday Times Rich List, the Guinness family (who have now ascended into the ranks of British aristocracy) have established them not only as one of the richest families in Ireland, but amongst the wealthiest dynasties in the world.
According to the Ireland Liveability Index, Waterford is the best county to live in on account of it being one of sunniest counties in the country, having reasonably priced housing, and being in the top 10 most scenic counties.
Dublin 6 has claimed the title of Ireland's most expensive Eircode🤑 New figures from property firm Geowox revealing a median house price close to €800,000.
In Ireland, a salary of around €80,000 to €100,000 per year or more is generally considered high. However, as discussed elsewhere on this page, this depending on location and profession. In Dublin, where living costs are significantly higher, a six-figure salary might be needed to maintain an affluent lifestyle.
As of Q2 2025, the wealthiest 10 per cent of Irish households owned €674.9bn, or 49.3 per cent of total household net wealth in the country. The total net wealth of households in the poorest half of the distribution fell by €4.2bn (3.3 per cent) to stand at €120.7bn, or 8.8 per cent of the national total.
Adare, in County Limerick, is sometimes referred to as Ireland's prettiest village. With thatched roofs, gardens and walking trails, it's easy to see why so many visitors fall under its charm! A visit wouldn't be complete without stopping by (or spending a night) at the well-known Adare Manor.
Newbridge had the lowest rate of recorded crime per 1,000 people in 2022, giving it the top spot as the safest place to live. Top 5 safest places to live and work: Newbridge. Cobh.
What not to do in Ireland
Kinsale, Kenmare, and Westport all feature in our 'Ireland's prettiest-town' list. Towns and villages in Ireland combine local charm, walkable streets, history and culture. Visit breweries, take a walking tour or visit filming locations in some of these towns and villages.
Whatever your religious affiliations, there's no denying that St Patrick is probably the most iconic figure in Irish history. While he was technically Welsh, he was enslaved in Ireland and later became a Christian missionary that changed the course of Irish culture forever.
Dublin and its commuter belt are the most common destinations for British people moving to Ireland and are ideal if you value strong employment options, cultural life and fast international travel. Dublin Airport is the primary international hub and well connected to the UK and global destinations.
A gross salary ranging between €4,100 and €6,000 per month is considered good for a comfortable life in Ireland.