Car boot sales in Ireland run much as they do across the UK: an organiser opens a field, mart or car park, sellers pay a pitch fee, and buyers arrive early with cash. They are weather-dependent, sociable, and busiest from spring through early autumn.
Pitches, times and money
Most boots run on Sundays, with sellers admitted an hour or so before buyers. Bring your own table — very few organisers provide one.
- Pitch fees generally run €10–€20 for a car
- Buyer entry is free or a nominal €1–€2
- Sellers usually arrive from around 7:00am
- Cash and Revolut are both widely used; Revolut has become normal for larger items
Casual trading and what the rules cover
Selling your own household belongings from your own home does not require a licence. Selling in a public place is casual trading, which is licensed by the local authority, and organised car boot sales operate under the organiser's arrangements rather than yours.
The distinction that matters is whether you are clearing out your own things or buying stock to resell. The second is a business, and it is treated as one.
What actually sells
Buyers are looking for cheap, practical and nostalgic — the same pattern as anywhere, with a strong trade in children's items and tools.
- Sells fast: children's clothes and toys, tools, kitchenware, books, vinyl, garden bits
- Sells slowly: adult clothing, DVDs, older electronics, flat-pack furniture
- Not worth bringing: anything bulky, anything that needs testing or a plug socket
Or skip the field entirely
Selling from your own driveway costs nothing, needs no early start and no loading, and you keep every euro. The only genuine drawback is visibility — a sale nobody knows about is a quiet morning.
Listing it fixes that. Post your sale free with the date and your area, and neighbours searching for sales that weekend will find it on the map.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence for a car boot sale in Ireland?
Selling your own household items from your own property does not require a licence. Selling in a public place is casual trading and is licensed by the local authority; organised car boot sales run under the organiser's own arrangements. Buying stock to resell is trading and is treated differently.
How much does a car boot pitch cost in Ireland?
Typically €10–€20 for a car, with vans and double pitches costing more. Buyer entry is usually free or a nominal amount.
Cash or Revolut?
Both. Cash still covers most small purchases, and Revolut has become the standard way to settle anything larger without hunting for change.