Donegal diners were Ireland’s biggest spenders in restaurants last month, new figures reveal.
The AIB Spend Trend report for February showed that Donegal customers forked out 18.48% more on their bills when eating out, compared to 12% in Limerick.
Perhaps driven by romantics celebrating Valentine’s Day, Irish restaurants and hotels overall saw the average spend up 16% and 7% respectively.
Overall spend is up 4% in February when compared with January, with the busiest day for spend on Friday 23rd February, and the quietest day for spend on Sunday 11th February.
Nationally, the number of people buying flights has taken off, with the highest ever airline spend in the first two months of the year.
AIB customers spent over €210m with airlines in January and February, up 10% on the same period in 2023. Daily spend on plane tickets was also up 11% in February compared with 12 months previously.
Spend in pubs saw the biggest increase in February (+27%), as Ireland’s Six Nations rugby campaign kicked off. The busiest day for spend in pubs was on Saturday 24th February, when rugby fans flocked to stand shoulder to shoulder and watch as Ireland beat Wales.
