HOW TO HIRE · EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire a mascot in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
A mascot hire in Ireland costs €100–€400 per booking, typically around €200. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
- Search and compare — no account needed
- Nearest to you first
- One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring a mascot in five steps
- Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers mascot work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — event Duration — mascot hire services usually provide options for different event durations, from a quick 30-minute visit to several hours of entertainment.
- How does duration of the event change the price?The duration you choose is the main thing you control. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does type of mascot change the price?The choice of style changes the skill the job needs. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does additional services such as interactive entertainment change the price?It moves the price in both directions depending on the job. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Typically, mascot hire services do not include venue decoration, catering, or any other event logistics — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a mascot job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
No register applies
NO REGISTER APPLIES TO DJS, BANDS, MARQUEE HIRERS OR ENTERTAINERS. What exists instead is insurance that venues demand and music licensing that the VENUE normally holds through IMRO and PPI, not the performer.
Look for the trader badge and the ID-checked badge on the Locufy profile — both are checked by us, not claimed by the provider.
What to check instead
Public liability insurance at the level YOUR VENUE requires — ask the venue first, then the supplier, because the venue sets the number; For anything with a structure or a ride, the inspection or test certificate; A written contract with the date, the hours, the set-up time and the overtime rate; What happens if they are ill — a named arrangement, not reassurance; Whether they have played your venue before, and what the power and access are like; PAT testing on their equipment, which many venues ask to see.
Ask for each of these before you agree a price, and get the answers in the same message as the quote.
Insurance
Expect public liability, and employer's liability if they bring crew. From a company, ask for the insurer, the limit and the VAT number, and ask who actually attends: the team that turns up may be employed, subcontracted or both, and only one of those is supervised by the firm you are paying.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
Trader or private seller
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.
Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.
VAT
VAT at 23%, the standard rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: No register covers mascot work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — event Duration — mascot hire services usually provide options for different event durations, from a quick 30-minute visit to several hours of entertainment.
A good answer: The duration you choose is the main thing you control. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: The choice of style changes the skill the job needs. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: It moves the price in both directions depending on the job. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Typically, mascot hire services do not include venue decoration, catering, or any other event logistics — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a mascot job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect public liability, and employer's liability if they bring crew — costume Quality — the quality of the mascot costume can vary significantly, affecting the overall experience.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the mascot starts, and an itemised invoice after — interactive Entertainment — many mascot hire services offer interactive entertainment, such as games, dance sessions, and photo opportunities.
Getting the quote right
- Duration of the event — the duration you choose is the main thing you control.
- Type of mascot — the choice of style changes the skill the job needs.
- Additional services such as interactive entertainment — it moves the price in both directions depending on the job.
- Complexity of the character — an unusual brief takes longer to understand before it can be quoted.
- In writing before anyone starts — a message on Locufy counts
- What is NOT included, named
- Who actually attends, and whether they are employed or subcontracted
- The VAT number, and whether it checks out on the Revenue register
Walk away if
- They will not talk about it: duration of the event — the duration you choose is the main thing you control
- They will not talk about it: type of mascot — the choice of style changes the skill the job needs
- They will not talk about it: additional services such as interactive entertainment — it moves the price in both directions depending on the job
- A price for the mascot before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
- No written quote, or one that moves once the mascot has begun
What a mascot costs: €100–€400 per booking
The figures are for the job, per booking, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Children's party mascot and Corporate brand mascot each carry their own band. Mascot Hire price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
Mascot hire firms near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you.
- Look firstDuration of the event — the duration you choose is the main thing you control — that is what the mascot is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneType of mascot — the choice of style changes the skill the job needs — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfAdditional services such as interactive entertainment — it moves the price in both directions depending on the job — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherComplexity of the character — an unusual brief takes longer to understand before it can be quoted — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the mascot is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, travel distances — fuel and time on the road are built into the price.
- Character Appearances
- Mascot hire typically includes the appearance of a character at your event, whether it's a children's birthday party or a corporate gathering.
- Interactive Entertainment
- Many mascot hire services offer interactive entertainment, such as games, dance sessions, and photo opportunities.
- Costume Quality
- The quality of the mascot costume can vary significantly, affecting the overall experience.
- Event Duration
- Mascot hire services usually provide options for different event durations, from a quick 30-minute visit to several hours of entertainment.
- Children's Party Mascot
- A performer dressed as a beloved character, engaging with kids through games, photos, and entertainment.
- Corporate Brand Mascot
- A mascot representing a company or product at promotional events, helping to engage customers and enhance brand visibility.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring a mascot: questions people ask
The cost of mascot hire can be influenced by several factors, including the duration of the event, the type of mascot, and additional services such as interactive entertainment. High-quality costumes and custom designs may also increase the overall price.
Mascots can typically be hired for various durations, ranging from short appearances of 30 minutes to several hours. The choice of duration will depend on your event needs and budget.
Generally, hiring a mascot does not require a specialist, but it is advisable to choose a professional service with experienced performers. No regulated electrical or structural work is involved in this service.
Same-day availability for mascot hire can vary by provider. It's best to check with specific services as many may require advance booking, especially for popular mascots.
Yes, many mascot hire services offer the option to book multiple mascots for larger events. This can enhance the entertainment value and cater to a wider audience.
Typically, mascot hire services do not include venue decoration, catering, or any other event logistics. It's important to clarify what is included in the service package when making a booking.
MORE GUIDES