Tea Wars: Ireland’s Love Affair With Tea
Ireland’s relationship with tea runs deep. For generations, tea has been more than a drink. It has been a social glue, a marker of hospitality, and a daily ritual repeated in homes, offices and cafés across the country. Ireland consistently ranks among the highest tea consumers per capita in the world, with many people drinking several cups a day.
Ask someone how they take their tea and you will likely learn something about their background, their habits, and often their loyalties. Few consumer debates in Ireland are as enduring, or as passionately defended, as the choice between Barry’s and Lyons.
A Nation Shaped by Tea
Tea became embedded in Irish life during the nineteenth century and quickly turned into an everyday staple. Over time it evolved into a symbol of comfort and connection. Tea is offered to guests almost instinctively, used to mark breaks in the day, and relied upon in moments of stress, celebration, and routine alike.
In many households, tea is consumed morning, noon and night. Black tea is the default, usually served with milk, and often accompanied by biscuits or baked treats. While preferences vary, the act of making and sharing tea remains remarkably consistent across generations.
Barry’s vs Lyons: The Great Irish Tea Rivalry
No discussion of tea in Ireland is complete without addressing the long running rivalry between Barry’s Tea and Lyons Tea.
Barry’s Tea was founded in Cork in 1901 and has grown from a small family business into one of Ireland’s most recognisable food brands. Its blends are known for their strong flavour and are especially popular in the south of the country. For many Cork households, Barry’s is not just preferred, it is non negotiable.
Lyons Tea was established in 1904 and developed strong roots in Dublin and the east of Ireland. The brand became known for innovation, including the introduction of pyramid tea bags designed to improve infusion. Lyons has traditionally held a strong presence in offices and urban settings.
This rivalry is rarely hostile, but it is deeply ingrained. Supermarket sales data in recent years shows Barry’s holding a narrow national lead, though regional loyalties remain clearly divided.
Beyond the Big Two: Bewley’s and Other Names
While Barry’s and Lyons dominate supermarket shelves, other brands also play a role in Ireland’s tea story. Bewley’s, best known for its historic cafés, has a long association with tea and coffee culture in Ireland. Its tea offerings appeal to those seeking a more café style or specialty experience.
In recent years, herbal, green and speciality teas have also gained visibility, reflecting broader changes in consumer tastes and health awareness.
How Tea Is Drunk in Ireland
Irish tea customs are informal but widely understood. Guests are almost always offered tea. Asking how someone takes it is part of basic etiquette. Milk is common, sugar is optional, and strength is often adjusted with brewing time rather than leaf quantity.
Tea breaks remain a fixture of Irish workplaces, even as working patterns change. For many people, tea represents a pause rather than a caffeine hit, a moment to sit, talk, and reset.
Tea Events and Festivals in Ireland
Unlike coffee, tea does not dominate large scale festivals in Ireland, but it is still celebrated through tastings, workshops and cultural events.
- House of Tea Dublin, which hosts tea tastings and educational events focused on loose leaf and specialty teas. Learn more
- Seasonal tea celebrations and community events linked to Irish food and craft fairs. Learn more
Tea culture in Ireland is often woven into broader food, craft and heritage events rather than standing alone.
The Shift Toward Coffee
Despite tea’s cultural status, coffee consumption in Ireland has risen sharply over the past two decades. Surveys show that many Irish adults now drink coffee daily, and in some workplaces coffee has overtaken tea as the most common break time drink.
This shift is visible in the growth of independent cafés, specialty roasters and takeaway coffee culture, particularly in cities. Younger consumers, in particular, are more likely to choose coffee, while still consuming tea at home.
Rather than replacing tea, coffee has added another layer to Ireland’s drinking habits. Tea remains the default symbol of comfort and hospitality, while coffee increasingly represents speed, urban life and global trends.
Tea continues to hold a unique place in Irish identity. From long standing brand loyalties to everyday rituals, it remains part of how people connect, unwind and welcome others. The tea wars may never be settled, but that enduring debate is itself proof of how deeply tea is woven into Irish life.
