Official figures show that the annual rate of inflation fell back to 2.2% last month from 2.7% in July, despite higher electricity prices and mortgage repayments.
The Central Statistics Office said price rose by 0.2% in August, but the annual rate fell because there was a bigger increase in August last year.
Electricity prices increased by 3.1% during the month, while mortgage interest repayments were up 0.7%. Mortgage costs have risen by 14.6% in the past 12 months. Rents moved up 0.1% in August.
Clothing and footwear prices rose by 3.3% during the month as summer sales ended. Furniture and household equipment sales also moved up 0.6% for the same reason.
Transport costs were up 0.3% in the month, with rises in petrol and diesel prices partly offset by falls in sea and air fares. But home insurance costs dropped by 5.1% in the month.
The EU harmonised measure of inflation - which excludes mortgage repayments - rose by 0.2% last month, giving an annual increase of 1%.
