During the famous Celtic Tiger boom in Ireland, Dublin quietly became one of the most expensive cities in the world for tourists. If the euro is strong against your currency then things are even worse, although some prices have actually come down in recent years.
Hotel bargains are possible and there’s plenty to choose from, including many good hostels with good locations. The tourist area in Dublin is quite compact so be careful of cheap hotels well out of the city or near the airport, as the money you might save likely won’t be worth it.
City tours and some of the more famous attractions are on the expensive side, but things don’t really get out of hand until you start with food and drink. Unlike, say, London, it’s hard to find a simple meal that you’d consider cheap. And even though Dublin now has a reputation as an international party city, be prepared to drain your wallet if you want to participate. Beers here are expensive and everything else is more. If you are going to be visiting the Guinness Storehouse and the whisky distilleries you’ll probably want to consider getting a Dublin Pass.