The latest AIB Spend Trend report shows that overall spend on cards increased by 10% year on year in September, with big increases in spending on golf, entertainment and tourism and exhibits.
AIB noted that spend on groceries increased by 3%, with the average transaction size of €24.57.
Today's report reveals that September had the biggest selling days of the year for tourism and exhibits - September 16 and 17 - as thousands of people attended the National Ploughing Championships in Co Offaly.
Ticket sales were led by customers from Cork, Tipperary, Galway , Limerick and Offaly at the annual event which is the largest of its kind in the world, the bank noted.
September was also a significant month for golf fans. During the month, Rory McIlroy won the Irish Open at The K Club before going on to join Shane Lowry and the rest of Team Europe at the Ryder Cup for their historic win in New York. This coincided with a 10% increase in spending at golf clubs and courses.
Meanwhile, spend on entertainment increased 18% in the 12 months to September, and 7% month on month.
AIB noted a "significant" increase in ticket sales, up 45% year on year. The highest spending day of the year so far for ticket transactions was September 3, when tickets went on sale for Electric Picnic 2026. Tickets for The Weeknd's two gigs in Croke Park also went on sale in September.
Spend in cinemas also increased by 19% year on year, with the release of "The Conjuring: Last Rites", "One Battle After Another" and "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale".
AIB also said that spend on digital games increased by 25% year on year.
77% of this spending was by men, and people aged between 25 and 34 accounted for 29% of all gaming spend. There were a number of big game releases last month including EA Sports FC 26.
But hospitality spend decreased, today's report shows. Spend in hotels fell by 22% in the month; spend in pubs fell by 26% month on month and 17% year on year.
AIB said that while spend in restaurants was up 6% over 12 months, it fell by 14% month on month. The biggest decreases were seen in Kerry (20%), Wexford and Donegal (both down 19%).
The data was compiled from 75 million card transactions carried out by AIB customers in store and online during September.
AIB said the data has been anonymised and aggregated and features one of the most comprehensive and accurate data sets on consumer spending in Ireland.
Adrian Moynihan, Head of Consumer at AIB, said that September is a busy month as people return from holidays and have that back to school feeling.
"AIB's robust data provides unique insights into customer spend patterns and also helps businesses to better understand customer behaviours and plan their activities accordingly," he added.
