Consumer sentiment here was broadly unchanged last month, as employment levels improved but increases in the cost of living dampened down spending.
According to the findings of the KBC Bank Ireland Consumer Sentiment Index, Brexit is also now weighing more on consumer sentiment here than it is in the UK.
The research found that 69% of consumers are worried that Brexit will cause their cost of living to increase, with housing a particular concern.
The index shows consumers see the increased risks to the economy, but are reassured by their finances being stronger than they were in 2014.
Overall, the sentiment index came in at 89.9, up marginally from the 88.6 recorded in May, the lowest in the past five months and the second lowest since the beginning of 2018
According to Austin Hughes, Chief Economist at KBC Bank Ireland, the figure may reflect some limited measure of relief about the brief respite from the imminent threat of a hard Brexit.
"As risks in this regard were seen to be delayed rather than dispelled, there was no marked jump in confidence, particularly in circumstances where global economic prospects remain challenged," he said.
The steady Irish reading contrasted with stronger confidence readings in a number of other countries last month, he added, with Brexit the likely cause.
The most significant change in the index between April and May came around jobs, which may have reflected a series of new job announcements and the positive developments seen in official data on jobs.
Views around household finances were more mixed, however, with consumers less optimistic about their financial circumstances.
