How Much Does a Keynote Speaker Cost in Ireland? A Plain English Guide to Fees in Euro

For event organisers

By Enda O’Doherty, resilience and mental health keynote speaker  |  Updated November 2026

In Ireland, a keynote speaker typically costs between €1,000 and €5,000 for an experienced professional, from €5,000 to €15,000 for a well known name, and €15,000 or more for international stars and top athletes. Online talks usually cost less than in person events. The final fee depends on the speaker’s profile, the length and format of the session, travel, and whether you book directly or through a bureau.

If you have never booked a speaker before, the hardest part is often not knowing what is normal. Bureaus rarely publish prices, speakers often say “it depends”, and you are left guessing whether a quote is fair. I am a working keynote speaker, and I publish my own fees, so this guide is the honest version of what I would tell a friend in HR who asked me what to budget.

Typical keynote speaker fees in Ireland

These are broad bands, based on fees that speakers and bureaus publish and on what I see in the Irish market. Every speaker sets their own price, so treat them as a guide rather than a rate card.

Local and newer speakers: up to €1,000

Speakers early in their career, local business owners and people speaking about a single experience often charge a few hundred euro up to about €1,000. This can suit a lunch and learn, a small team or a community event. Check for video of them speaking live, because experience varies a lot at this level.

Experienced professional speakers: €1,000 to €5,000

This is where most full time Irish keynote speakers sit. You are paying for a polished, tested talk, a speaker who prepares properly with you, and a track record with organisations like yours. My own fees start at €2,000, and that includes a planning call, a tailored keynote of about an hour, questions from the audience and a follow up resource for your team.

Well known names: €5,000 to €15,000

Broadcasters, bestselling authors and familiar faces from television or sport usually fall here. One bureau lists a well known Irish mental health advocate at an estimated €6,000 to €10,000 for a local in person event. A recognisable name can help ticket sales or attendance at a large public event.

International stars and top athletes: €15,000 and up

Global speakers, Olympians and international sports stars can cost tens of thousands of euro, plus flights and accommodation. They are usually booked through a bureau, often many months in advance.

The right speaker is the one your people are still talking about next week, not the most famous name you can afford.

What changes the price

Format and length

A one hour keynote is the standard unit. A half day workshop, a keynote plus a breakout session, or two talks on the same day will cost more. A short online session for a remote team usually costs less, often noticeably less than the same speaker in person.

Travel and overnight stays

Speakers based near your venue are cheaper to book. If someone has to fly in or stay overnight, expect flights, hotel and sometimes a travel day to be added. Many Irish speakers quote one fee that includes travel within Ireland, so ask.

Tailoring and preparation

A talk built around your strategy, your industry and your people takes real preparation time. Good speakers include a planning call as standard. Extra calls with your leadership team, rehearsals or a pre event survey may add to the fee.

Audience size and recording

Most speakers charge the same for 50 people or 500, but some charge more for very large conferences. If you want to record the talk and share it afterwards, ask first. Recording rights can carry an extra cost because the speaker’s talk is their product.

Booking direct or through a bureau

Bureaus are useful when you want options, international names or someone to manage contracts. They add their commission to the speaker’s fee, so the same speaker can cost more through a bureau than direct. Booking direct is often simpler for a single speaker you have already chosen.

VAT, insurance and the small print

Ask whether the quote includes VAT. If the speaker is VAT registered in Ireland, the standard rate on services is 23 per cent, which matters if your organisation cannot reclaim it. Ask whether the speaker holds public liability and professional indemnity insurance, as many venues now require certificates. Check the cancellation terms on both sides, including what happens if the speaker is ill on the day.

What a good fee should include

When you compare quotes, compare what you actually get. A fair professional fee in Ireland should usually include:

• A planning call before the event to understand your goals and audience
• A keynote tailored to your organisation, not a recording played live
• Time for questions afterwards
• Arriving early for a sound check and to meet your team
• Something your people can take away, such as a resource or follow up session

If two speakers quote the same fee and one includes all of this, the cheaper option is the one that does more.

Is a cheaper speaker a false economy?

Not always. A local speaker can be perfect for a small team event. But for a conference, a sales kick off or a mental health event where the subject is sensitive, experience matters. You are trusting someone with a room full of your people for an hour. A speaker who has done it hundreds of times knows how to read the room, handle questions with care and keep energy up after lunch.

On mental health topics in particular, ask how the speaker looks after the audience. I tell every audience I am not a medical professional, I speak from my own experience, and I finish by pointing people to the support already in place, such as their Employee Assistance Programme.

Add ons: workshops, breakouts and full days

A standalone keynote of 45 to 60 minutes is the most common booking, and for a conference or a kick off it is usually the right one. Where organisations get more from their budget is by adding something that turns inspiration into practice: a breakout session for a smaller group after the keynote, a workshop for managers, or a half day that mixes talks with exercises. These cost more because they take more of the speaker’s time and preparation, but the price per person falls and the message lasts longer. Decide the outcome you want first, then choose the format. Paying a little more for the right format nearly always beats paying less for one that does not fit.

How to brief a speaker so you get value

A low quote can be a bargain or a warning sign. Be cautious if a speaker cannot show recent events, references or footage of themselves live, or seems reluctant to talk to you before the day. A high fee is no guarantee either. The best predictor of value is the briefing. Tell the speaker who is in the room, what they are dealing with, what the event is for, how you want people to feel when they leave, where the talk sits in the running order and any sensitivities in the organisation. A speaker who asks you good questions back is usually one worth booking.

How to get the best value from your budget

Book early. Popular dates such as World Mental Health Day in October, National Workplace Wellbeing Day in April and January kick offs go first, and eight to twelve weeks’ notice gives the speaker time to prepare properly. Be clear about your budget from the first conversation, because most good speakers will tell you honestly if they are not the right fit. Ask whether an online session for remote staff can be added on the same day for a small extra cost. And ask for references from organisations like yours.

For a broader view of what to ask before you book, see my guide to frequently asked questions about booking a speaker or download the free speaker pack.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a keynote speaker cost in Ireland?

Most experienced professional keynote speakers in Ireland charge between €1,000 and €5,000. Well known names usually cost €5,000 to €15,000, and international stars €15,000 or more. Online talks often cost less.

Do keynote speaker fees in Ireland include VAT?

Not always. If the speaker is VAT registered, VAT at the standard rate of 23 per cent may be added. Always ask whether a quote is inclusive or exclusive of VAT.

Is it cheaper to book a speaker directly or through a bureau?

Booking directly is usually cheaper for a speaker you have already chosen, because bureaus add a commission to the speaker’s fee. Bureaus are useful when you want a shortlist, international speakers or contract management.

Do online keynote talks cost less?

Usually, yes. With no travel and less time away, many speakers charge noticeably less for an online session than for the same talk in person.

What does Enda O’Doherty charge for a keynote?

Enda O’Doherty’s keynote fees start at €2,000. That includes a planning call, a tailored keynote of about an hour, questions from the audience and a follow up resource. The final quote depends on format, location and length.

How far in advance should I book a keynote speaker?

Eight to twelve weeks is ideal. Popular dates such as World Mental Health Day, National Workplace Wellbeing Day and January kick offs book up early, so allow longer for those.

How much do keynote speakers in Ireland charge?

Experienced professional keynote speakers in Ireland usually charge between €1,000 and €5,000 per talk. Well known broadcasters, authors and sports figures charge €5,000 to €15,000, and international names €15,000 or more. Enda O’Doherty’s fees start at €2,000.

The bottom line

Set a budget that matches the size and importance of your event, compare what each quote includes rather than the headline figure, and ask the questions above. If you’d like to talk it through, get in touch here, call 086 677 2154, or email info@endaodoherty.ie.