A three month-pilot initiative kicked off last November to promote Cork as Ireland's first cash-free city. Figures published today by the Cork Cashes Out campaign show that there has been an increase in contactless payments in Corky City, 176% more than the rest of the country. 

The figures also show that there was an increase in the value of the contactless payments, 157% more in the city than the national average. Cork City experienced 2% more card transactions than the national average and there was a 17% year-on-year increase in the volume of card transactions in the region. 

Cork Cashes Out promoted the use of Chip and Pin, Contactless and other electronic payment options over cash. The campaign sought to highlight the benefits for both consumers and businesses of going cash-free. 

Campaign spokesperson and local businessman, Paul Montgomery said: “When we launched Cork Cashes Out, we knew that there would be an uplift in the use of cash-free payment options, but we have been really blown away by how successful the campaign has been. In just a short period of time, Cork has seen an increase in the number of people using cash-free payment options compared to the rest of the country and this is set to continue."