Hotel Jobs in Ireland (2026 Guide)

Ireland’s hospitality industry is steady and growing — thanks to millions of visitors each year and a strong tourism rebound after the pandemic. That keeps hotels, resorts, and guesthouses actively hiring across cities and regional towns. You’ll find roles from entry‑level housekeeping all the way up to management and specialist positions.

But let’s be real: some jobs are easy to enter, others require experience, and visa sponsorship or work permits for non‑EU workers aren’t guaranteed for every role.

Common Hotel Jobs in Ireland

🧹 Housekeeping / Hotel Cleaner

• Clean guest rooms, bathrooms, public areas

• Change linens, stock supplies, maintain hygiene

Hotel cleaners are in demand because many locals avoid physically intensive roles, especially in peak tourism seasons. Some positions do come with visa support for foreign workers.

🛎 Room Attendant / Accommodation Assistant

Like housekeeping but often with guest interaction (e.g., tidying rooms between stays). May involve reception support or room service logistics.

📞 Receptionist / Front Desk

• Greet guests

• Handle check‑ins and check‑outs

• Answer phones and reservations

This role requires good English and strong customer service. Many Irish hotels hire international applicants with General Employment Permit support.

🍽 Food & Beverage Staff

Servers, bartenders, banquet assistants — often part of hotel restaurants and bars. Relies on communication and hospitality skills.

👨‍🍳 Kitchen Staff / Chef

From kitchen porters to sous chefs and head chefs — culinary roles can pay better and may offer clearer visa pathways when there’s a shortage of qualified locals.

👔 Supervisory & Management

• Front Office Manager

• Hospitality Manager

• Hotel Manager

These positions require experience and often come with higher salaries. Hotels are regularly recruiting for mid‑ to senior‑level roles across Ireland.

Real Pay You Can Expect in 2026

Ireland’s industry isn’t low‑pay hospitality like some places — it aligns broadly with living costs and national wages.

💶 Typical Salaries & Hourly Rates

Entry & Hourly Roles

• Hotel cleaner: ~€13–€15/hour (≈ €2,000–€2,400/month)

• Housekeeping / accommodation assist: similar range

• Food & beverage staff: ~€12–€16/hour (plus possible tips)

Salaried Positions

• Receptionist: ~€25,000–€30,000/year

• Front desk manager / supervisor: ~€36,000–€48,000/year

• Hospitality Manager: ~€40,000–€50,000+ (some openings list €50k+)

• Hotel Manager: average ~€42,000/year, with experienced managers exceeding €60k+

Benefits employers sometimes offer:

• Staff discounts on rooms and meals

• Help with relocation/visa process

• Free meals on duty

• Housing assistance in certain rural or high‑demand areas

Work Permit & Visa Realities

This is where people get confused:

✔ EU / EEA / British Citizens

You do not need a work permit to work in Ireland. You can apply directly for jobs without visa hassles.

✔ Non‑EU Citizens

You can get hotel jobs, but you must secure proper employment permission — you cannot simply arrive on a tourist visa and start working.

For many hotel roles, employers may support you through:

• General Employment Permit — if they can show a shortage of local labor or you have skills they urgently need (especially chefs, receptionists, supervisory roles).

But be cautious: not all jobs are automatically eligible for sponsorship. Lower‑paid entry roles without demonstrated skills are less likely to be sponsored unless there’s a genuine shortage and strong justification from the hotel.

Scam warning: any job offer that requires payment upfront for your visa or promises guaranteed fast‑track residency is almost certainly fake. Ireland doesn’t operate that way. Legit employers expect you to go through standard permit processes and will not ask you to pay them for a visa.

Skills & Requirements That Matter

English proficiency
Communication with guests is central — even housekeeping roles ask for basic English. Higher roles demand fluency.

Customer service attitude
Irish hotels value friendliness, guest focus, and teamwork.

Experience
Not mandatory for entry roles, but relevant hospitality or customer service experience boosts your chances.

Flexibility
Hotels operate 7 days a week, so weekend or night shifts may be part of your contract.

Where Hotel Jobs Are Most Available

📍 Dublin – biggest market and busiest tourism hub
📍 Cork – strong demand year‑round
📍 Galway – big in summer tourism
📍 Limerick – growing hospitality sector

Also plenty of roles in Waterford, Kilkenny, Killarney, and coastal resort towns where tourism peaks seasonally.

Where to Find Jobs (Smart Strategy)

📍 Job Boards with Live Hotel Listings

• Indeed Ireland

• Jobs.ie

• LinkedIn Jobs

• Hotel industry sites

🧑‍💼 Hotel Websites

Many chains and independents list vacancies on their own careers pages.

🤝 Hospitality Agencies

Recruitment firms specializing in hospitality and tourism can help place foreign candidates with work permits.

🗣 Networking

In hospitality, personal recommendations and walk‑in applications still get results — especially in seasonal peaks.

Typical Day for Key Roles

Housekeeping / Cleaners
Prepare rooms, change linens, maintain hygiene standards. Often physical and on your feet.

Front Desk / Reception
Greet guests, manage bookings, assist with queries.

Food & Beverage Staff
Serve meals, manage dining areas, support banquets and events.

Managers & Supervisors
Oversee operations, coordinate teams, ensure guest satisfaction and budgeting.

Pros & Cons — No Nonsense

👍 Pros

✔ Wide variety of hotel jobs from entry to managerial level
✔ Many roles open to international applicants with permits
✔ Good earning potential for mid‑level and management roles
✔ Opportunity to live and work in a high‑tourism European country

👎 Cons

✘ Sponsorship isn’t automatic — you need proper permits
✘ Entry roles pay modestly early on compared to cost of living
✘ Language and hospitality skills are essential
✘ Shift work and weekends are common

Ireland Hotel Jobs

Hotel jobs in Ireland exist across levels, from cleaners and kitchen staff to front desk agents and managers. The sector is hiring year‑round — but the visa piece is real, and you can’t work without proper authorization if you’re from outside the EU.

Entry roles are accessible but modestly paid, while supervisory and management jobs pay better and are more likely to come with visa support if you have the skills.

Approach these opportunities like a real job market: qualify yourself, build hospitality skills, and secure proper work permits — that’s how you go from applicant to employee legally in Ireland.