Getting a tattoo is a way to express ourselves, but once they’re imprinted on our skin, it can be very expensive to remove. This is why we must make sure that we do our research before getting our bodies inked.
Tattoo shops can be intimidating for some, and personally visiting to inquire about their services can be a hassle. So, we’ve done the work for you and compiled the best tattoo shops in all of Ireland.
First, let us check out the prices of these tattoo shops to see which one fits your budget.
How much do tattoos in Ireland cost?
The price of the tattoo will depend upon multiple factors like how long the process takes, the complexity of the design, and the reputation of the artist.
To give you an idea of how much you will pay depending on the studio, we’ve listed their base prices below.
The Top Tattoo Studios in Ireland
We’ve reviewed various tattoo studios in Ireland using the following criteria:
1. The Ink Factory
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| REPUTATION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CLEANLINESS | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| PRICING | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| CUSTOMER REVIEWS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Located in the Temple Bar district of Dublin, The Ink Factory aims not just to be a tattoo studio but also as a creative hub for people of all backgrounds. This philosophy is well-reflected in the studio, as everyone, from first-time customers to tattoo enthusiasts, gets good service from them.
In terms of reputation, The Big Studio is easily Ireland’s most popular tattoo studio. This can be seen in their high rankings by various European travel magazines, where they are consistently placed among the top three best tattoo studios in Ireland.
The Ink Factory’s tattoo designs are some of the best we’ve seen. Their artists mix various artistic inspirations, such as geometric, Japanese, and Polynesian designs to create gorgeous works.
Their artists are also highly professional and open to following any personal requests you have. They make sure to keep clients comfortable all throughout the tattooing process.
With them, creating a tattoo is a process where you will be highly involved. Before booking a schedule, you can choose your preferred artist, send a picture of your design ideas, and identify the body part to be covered.
The studio has a very eye-catching industrial aesthetic, which is a great representation of their artists’ creativeness. However, it can be a bit crowded at times, which can lead to some unnecessary close contact with other customers.
The studio also has very high demand, so be sure to inquire and book in advance.
Their pricing depends on the complexity and design of your tattoo instead of an hourly rate. If you are on a tight budget, be sure to take advantage of their website’s consultation form to get a quote.
Pros
- Placed high in many local and international tattoo studio rankings
- Skilled and well-known artists
- Has two locations in Dublin
- Emphasises artist and client collaboration
Cons
- Hard to book due to high demand
- Studio can be crowded during peak hours
Customer Reviews
Absolutely phenomenal experience
“I had an absolutely phenomenal experience! My friends and I were visiting from Minnesota and two (2) of them had never been tattooed before. Customer service was excellent and, most importantly, all of our tattoos turned out so well! Can’t recommend the studio enough! Ivan did my tattoo (pictured), for reference.” – Katie Silseth, Google Reviews
Friendly, accommodating, and super professional
“I’ve gotten two fairly big tattoos in The Ink Factory. I also took my 7 year old to get her ears pierced. They’ve always been friendly, accommodating and super professional. I’d have no problem recommending them to anyone..” – Peter Slattery, Google Reviews
2. Skin City Tattoo
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| REPUTATION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CLEANLINESS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| PRICING | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| CUSTOMER REVIEWS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
What we liked best about Skin City Tattoo is its highly professional atmosphere. The inking process is straightforward from entering the studio up to receiving your tattoo.
The studio is well-known in Dublin because of the various awards they’ve received over the years. This includes top spots in the 2011 Northern Ireland Tattoo Convention, 2009 Dublin Tattoo Convention, and 2008 Dublin Tattoo Convention.
Cleanliness is one of the studio’s primary priorities, so trusting them to ink your skin is easy. This can be seen in their extra attention to wearing safety equipment, frequent sanitization of tools, and well-kept tattoo chairs.
They also have a tasteful design that is inspired by vintage industrial aesthetics. The different art framed on their walls can even be a good inspiration for your tattoo’s design.
Their artists are adventurous and versatile in their designs. They specialise in Japanese, surrealist, fantasy, abstract, and experimental styles.
However, we found their booking process lacking, as it is limited to either phone calls, sending a message via Facebook, or walk-ins. We would’ve preferred an online form where we can give our initial design ideas.
Given that some tattoos can take up to six hours to finish, their opening hours may also be unfriendly for walk-ins. Because of this, make sure to book a schedule in advance.
Pros
- Has many awards from tattooing conventions
- Clean and well-designed
- Creative tattoo designs
- Convenient location in Dublin
Cons
- Inconvenient booking process
- Short business hours
Customer Reviews
Amazing staff and artist
“Amazing staff and artist. I got Sandra. It cost 600 which I though was great. It took a full 6 hours and I am delighted with the tattoo.
It was my first one. It gets very very sore so be prepared. Bring chocolate and fizzy drinks for your break half way through.
You honestly get so 😴 and sore 😂 also bring a spare jumper to lie on as you are in the same position for hours!
I will be back for more.” – Steven Murphy Carpentry, Google Reviews
Professional, friendly, and clean
“Skin City is a professional, friendly and clean tattoo parlour that delivers high quality tattoos. My friends and I were able to get walk in tattoos the same day by an artist that was attentive, efficient and highly talented! For two of my friends it was their first tattoo, and they found it quick, easy and painless! Thank you Skin City.” – Saa Bee, Google Reviews
3. Allstar Ink Tattoo
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| REPUTATION | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| CLEANLINESS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| PRICING | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CUSTOMER REVIEWS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
The Limerick-based tattoo studio is a great choice for those who want a classic and relaxing tattooing session.
One of its resident artists is Ross Nagle, who is the author of the tattoo template book “Stab City.” This easily raises the studio’s credibility.
The studio specialises in geometric, tribal, black and grey, realism, and classic styles that are sure to please many.
Their artists are friendly and cooperative throughout the whole tattooing process. They are open to design suggestions, transparent about their specialties, and always ensure a comfortable atmosphere as you get inked.
We appreciated their dedication towards cleanliness as they sanitise the place frequently. Their artists also follow important protocols by wearing gloves and disinfecting their tools.
AllStar Tattoo’s interior is filled with a lot of possible tattoo designs which can inspire yours. However, the abundant colours and designs on the walls are a little distracting.
The studio can also benefit from updating their website, as their last update was in 2015.
The studio currently accepts reservations only through their social media accounts or through phone calls. They can benefit from having a website reservation option where a list of schedules can be seen.
Pros
- Clean and frequently sanitised equipment
- Wide variety in tattooing styles
- Professional and friendly artists
- Good location
Cons
- Outdated website
- Inconvenient booking process
Customer Reviews
Excellent place to get inked
“Excellent place to get inked Ross is one of the best at his craft. All the crew are lovely and the place is very clean. you won’t regret going as they will honestly tell you if your tattoo idea will age well or not both myself and my wife have been many times and can’t wait to go again. You might get cheaper but you won’t get better.” – Johnny C, Google Reviews
So happy with my experience
“So happy with my experience in All star tattoo today. Friendly professional service. It was my first tattoo and I was nervous! Emma and Scott were very quick to reassure me. Definitely recommend All star tattoo especially for first timers!” – Helen Browne, Google Reviews
4. Black Hat Tattoo
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| REPUTATION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CLEANLINESS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| PRICING | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| CUSTOMER REVIEWS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
What we liked most about Black Hat Tattoo is their dedication towards providing a space for their artists’ skill and portfolio to flourish. This translates well into great service and tattoo designs for their customers.
Their artists have well-distributed skill sets. Here, you can get designs like biomechanical, Polynesian, Japanese, Irish, watercolour, realistic and more.
We were pleased with their emphasis on artist-client collaboration. Before inking your skin, they will conceptualise the design with you first through drafting, imprinting a temporary ink, and final editing.
They also offer great aftercare services. After getting inked, your artist will share important aftercare information and also provide a pamphlet containing instructions about this.
Booking their services is convenient, as it can be done through phone, their social media pages, or through their website.
Their website deserves special mention, as it is one of the best designed compared to other tattoo studios. Here, you can book a session, read about their artists, and get inspiration from their tattoo gallery.
They also have a well-ventilated and clean studio that is comfortable to stay in for long hours of tattooing. They also sanitise their equipment after every session.
However, those on a tight budget may need to manage their expectations, as the studio’s fees may be pricier than others. This is affected by factors like the artist’s popularity and the complexity of the design.
Pros
- Wide variety in tattooing styles
- Convenient booking process
- Clean and well-ventilated studio
- Emphasises artist and client collaboration
Cons
- Pricier than other shops
Customer Reviews
I couldn’t recommend this place enough
“I couldn’t recommended this place enough, I’ve gotten both my tattoos done here and they are utterly brilliant. Radu was so relaxing and amazing with his work when he did my first tattoo and it was an amazing experience and brilliant result. Rafa did my second one today and both are utter pieces of art. Thank you so much for them both. Very chill and comfortable environment for all.” – Calum Poole, Google Reviews
Very friendly and professional
“After been let down by another tattoo shop (tattoo artist never showed up). I gave Black Hat a call and they told me to come straight in to discuss my tattoo idea. They were brilliant. Very friendly and professional we agreed a date to start and Radu was the artist that would do my tattoo. The shop is brilliant it’s very clean and comfortable. Radu is a really talented artist quick clean and has a great eye for detail. I will be definitely going back and would recommend to others.” – Chris O’Brien, Google Reviews
5. Colour Works
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| REPUTATION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CLEANLINESS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| PRICING | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| CUSTOMER REVIEWS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Located near the Ha’Penny Bridge in Dublin, Colour Works takes a spot in our list because of their great overall service. They’ve been operating since 2004 and have since built a reputation in the area.
We liked the great variations in their artists’ designs, which includes rose, Mandala, sleeve, realism, fantasy, and more. They can also create custom designs if you have an idea in mind.
Their artists are highly professional and easy to talk to throughout the tattooing process. This applies to every step, from sharing your tattoo ideas to aftercare.
The place is well-kept and clean, and this also extends to the artist’s equipment. However, the aesthetic of the place is a bit outdated in comparison to other studios.
Booking with them is a breeze, as their website is well-designed for this. They can also be booked through phone and their social media pages.
We’re not too stoked about their base price of €80, which is higher compared to other studios
We also found their business hours to be limited. With six hours, it may be hard to book a schedule during weekends and even harder to be inked if you plan to walk in.
Pros
- Wide range of tattoo styles
- Professional and reputable artists
- Clean studio
- Convenient booking process
Cons
- Pricey
Customer Reviews
10/10! This is THE place to go
10/10! This is THE place to go. From the lovely lady at the reception down to the highly qualified tattoo artist (Aaron), I had the best experience ever. They explained the whole process in detail. The place is spotless, the staff extremely knowledgeable about their work and super friendly. Definitely worth it and will visit again. Thanks so much guys!!! Frank
” – Frank Aris, Google Reviews
A great tattoo studio
“A great tattoo studio! I was tattooed by Sam and he was incredible. Everyone at the studio was super friendly and great to talk to. Sam talked about how he had gotten into tattooing more recently; His tattooing style however speaks differently. His lines are super clean and he’s a legend at filling in awkward tattoo gaps! Highly recommend you check them out!!
” – Neetu Pillai, Google Reviews
6. Smiley Dogg Tattoo
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| REPUTATION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CLEANLINESS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| PRICING | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| CUSTOMER REVIEWS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Smiley Dogg Tattoo is a shop that provides various body customization services such as tattoos, piercings, and microblading. With currently 2 studios operating, they are known for doing quality body artwork that clients can look at for long periods of time.
Their past clients have highly commended them for their welcoming customer service and sanitized work and environment that has put their minds constantly at ease during each service.
Accommodating both pre-made and customized tattoos we find their shop highly versatile in terms of the designs that they accommodate and their services to be personalized to provide for the individual needs of the client.
Note though that there might be some adverse reactions when it comes to their treatments, so we recommend new clients to proceed with caution.
Nonetheless, with their amicable customer service, accurate customized designs, and highly professional artists, we highly recommend them to clients in the area looking for quality tattoo services.
Pros
- Various shops available
- Excellent tattoo selections
- Friendly customer service
Cons
- Some treatments may induce allergic reactions
Customer Reviews
Here are some reviews from their clients:
“There is nowhere else I would go now. Alberto did another piercing on my daughter today and he was again professional, meticulously clean and thorough and put her at ease straight away. Thank you Alberto, Lily and I will see you again in the new year”
“Had my first small tattoo on my forearm yesterday with new resident artist, Borja. He made me feel very relaxed about my first tattoo experience & I must say it was pretty painless. I am very happy with the design also. Thank you to everyone at Smiley Dogg.”
7. Ancient Rituals Tattoo
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| REPUTATION | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| CLEANLINESS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| PRICING | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CUSTOMER REVIEWS | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Ancient Rituals Tattoo is an Irish tattoo and piercing shop specializing in custom tattoo designs.
We believe this business is ideal for nearly all tattoo enthusiasts because their artists enjoy diverse tattoo styles and ideas.
While their artists specialize in Japanese, ornamental, Polynesian, and fine-line tattoos, it’s worth noting that they’re open to discussing other options with their clients.
This, in our opinion, makes their designs more unique and personalized to each individual.
Now, while they have a small team of tattoo artists, we believe that this doesn’t detract from the value of their services because they have a team of experienced and passionate employees.
In fact, the majority of them have extensive experience in the tattoo industry, with various areas of expertise that we found useful in matching different client preferences.
We also liked that each of their artists has their own portfolio, which we thought was a convenient way for interested clients to see their work and decide if they’re the right fit.
Furthermore, many customers we’ve spoken with have commented on how they exceeded expectations by providing consumers with exactly what they wanted.
Overall, if you’re looking for one of the top tattoo studios in Ireland, we think you should give Ancient Rituals Tattoo a shot.
Pros
- Specializes in custom tattoo designs
- Experienced tattoo artists
- Unique and tailor-made designs
- Comprehensive work portfolio
Cons
- Relatively small team of tattoo artists
- No online booking system
Customer Reviews
Exceeds expectations
“Amazing! So happy with the tattoo it was exactly what I wanted and exceeded my expectations, great customer service if you’re looking for a tattoo in Killarney look no further!.” -Brayden B.
Best-quality tattoos
“Very professional and friendly staff, talented artists who put 100% Into their work for the best quality tattoos. high recommended.” -A A.
FAQs about Tattoo Shops in Ireland
To help in your aftercare, we recommend consulting a dermatologist. We’ve created lists for different cities in Ireland here: