What is the difference between data engineering and data analytics?

Data engineering builds the pipelines, warehouses and infrastructure that move and store data reliably. Analytics interprets what is in them. Most projects fail on the engineering side and get blamed on the analytics side, which is why the order of work matters.

How much does a data consultancy cost in Ireland?

Published rates run from under 25 dollars to 149 dollars an hour. Specialist data consultancies sit at the top of that range and generalist digital firms at the bottom. Scope matters more than rate, because data projects routinely expand once the state of the source systems becomes clear.

Should I hire a consultancy or build an internal data team?

Use a consultancy to establish the platform and prove the value, then hire internally to run it. Building internally from nothing is slow and the first hires rarely have the platform experience to make the foundational decisions well.

What should I check before starting a data project?

Check the state of your source systems first. Most overruns come from data that is messier than anyone admitted at the outset. A good consultancy will insist on an assessment before quoting the full programme, and you should be wary of one that does not.

All agency lists

Technology & Development

Top Data and Analytics Companies in Ireland

Updated 6 August 2026 · 1 min read · 10 companies

Written byNuala Canning

Data projects in Ireland fail for the same reason everywhere: the pipelines are harder than anyone expected and the source data is worse than anyone admitted. Choosing between an engineering firm and an advisory one, at the right point in that sequence, matters more than any rate comparison. This list covers Ireland-based data and analytics firms with team size, rate band and specialism.

What to look for in a data partner

Engineering first, insight second. If your pipelines do not work, no analytics layer will save the project. Ask which half of that a firm is strongest at.
Whether they assess before they quote. A firm that quotes a full programme without looking at your source systems is guessing.
Training and handover. Several firms here offer training. That matters if you intend to run the platform yourself afterwards.
Commercial or research. One entry here is a national research centre. Excellent capability, but engagement works nothing like a consultancy.

Budget for data cleaning as its own phase. On most Irish data projects it is the largest single piece of work and the one nobody puts in the original scope.

1. RaftLabs
Best for product analytics and data-backed features
raftlabs.com - RaftLabs website, opens in a new tab
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Rating
4.9 (15 reviews)
Team size
10 - 49
Hourly rate
$25 - $49
Founded
2020
AI-first development company that instruments products and builds the data layer behind them, working on React, Node.js and AWS for startups, SaaS companies and enterprise teams.
2. Clear Strategy
Best for dedicated data and AI consulting
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Team size
10 - 49
Founded
2018
Dublin firm founded in 2018 describing itself as Ireland's only dedicated data and AI solutions company, with more than 20 years of combined experience behind it.
3. Bluemetrix
Best for data pipelines and managed data services
Location
Cork, Ireland
Team size
10 - 49
Founded
2001
Cork data consultancy founded in 2001 offering advisory, implementation, managed services, training and its own data control applications. Nearly two decades of delivery.
4. Clarke Analytics
Best for data science consulting and training
Location
Mallow, Ireland
Team size
10 - 49
Founded
2016
Irish-owned consultancy in Mallow set up in 2016 by Dave and Helen Clarke, specialising in data analytics and data science consulting and training.
5. Evolve Technologies
Best for business intelligence for industry
Location
Ennis, Ireland
Rating
4.7 (1 review)
Team size
10 - 49
Hourly rate
$50 - $99
Founded
2000
Ennis firm founded in 2000 providing bespoke software development, business intelligence and IoT across a range of industries, with more than 100 technical projects delivered.
6. CeADAR
Best for applied analytics research and development
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Team size
10 - 49
Hourly rate
$50 - $99
Founded
2012
Dublin technology centre for innovation in applied big data analytics and visualisation, founded in 2012. A national research centre rather than a commercial consultancy, so engagement works differently.
7. Spark
Best for data-led delivery for enterprise
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Team size
10 - 49
Founded
2020
Dublin software delivery and advisory company building data-led and AI-powered solutions for SME and enterprise customers, covering strategy through delivery.
8. SalesOptimize
Best for market sizing and competitor data
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Team size
10 - 49
Hourly rate
< $25
Founded
2013
Dublin company founded in 2013 working in market sizing and competitor monitoring, identifying total market opportunity through its own platform.
9. Tiedot Digital Ltd.
Best for smaller data projects
Location
Belfast, Ireland
Team size
2 - 9
Hourly rate
$100 - $149
Founded
2022
Small Belfast firm founded in 2022 that grew out of client data projects. Confirm the contracting entity if an Irish supplier is a requirement.
10. Zulfi Marketing
Best for analytics inside a marketing engagement
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Rating
5.0 (2 reviews)
Team size
10 - 49
Hourly rate
< $25
Founded
2000
Full-service Dublin company covering software development, digital marketing, ecommerce, branding and business automation, at the lowest rate band here.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between data engineering and data analytics?: Data engineering builds the pipelines, warehouses and infrastructure that move and store data reliably. Analytics interprets what is in them. Most projects fail on the engineering side and get blamed on the analytics side, which is why the order of work matters.
How much does a data consultancy cost in Ireland?: Published rates run from under 25 dollars to 149 dollars an hour. Specialist data consultancies sit at the top of that range and generalist digital firms at the bottom. Scope matters more than rate, because data projects routinely expand once the state of the source systems becomes clear.
Should I hire a consultancy or build an internal data team?: Use a consultancy to establish the platform and prove the value, then hire internally to run it. Building internally from nothing is slow and the first hires rarely have the platform experience to make the foundational decisions well.
What should I check before starting a data project?: Check the state of your source systems first. Most overruns come from data that is messier than anyone admitted at the outset. A good consultancy will insist on an assessment before quoting the full programme, and you should be wary of one that does not.

Sitting on data you cannot get answers out of?

Tell us what you are trying to measure and we will tell you straight whether we are the right fit.

Book a Strategy Call

More agency lists

View all

Top Data and Analytics Companies in Ireland

What to look for in a data partner

1. RaftLabs

2. Clear Strategy

3. Bluemetrix

4. Clarke Analytics

5. Evolve Technologies

6. CeADAR

7. Spark

8. SalesOptimize

9. Tiedot Digital Ltd.

10. Zulfi Marketing

Frequently asked questions

Sitting on data you cannot get answers out of?

More agency lists

Top AI Companies in Ireland

Top Cloud Computing Companies in Ireland

Top Ecommerce Development Companies in Ireland