If you’re planning an event, a product launch or a corporate conference and you’ve started ringing around for LED screen hire, you’ve probably noticed the prices are all over the place. One supplier quotes €1,200 for a small indoor wall, another quotes €8,000 for what sounds like the same job, and a third says they need a site visit before they’ll give you any number at all.
Here’s the honest answer. LED screen hire in Ireland costs typically from around €1,000 to €3,500 per day for a standard indoor event screen, and from €3,500 to €15,000+ for large outdoor screens at festivals, sporting events or multi-day activations. The variation comes down to screen size, pixel pitch, whether it’s indoor or outdoor, delivery distance, and how much technical support is bundled in.
Below we break down what actually drives the price, what should be included in a proper quote, and where people get caught out with extras they didn’t budget for.
What Drives the Price of LED Screen Hire?
No two events are the same, so no two quotes will be either. That said, there are six factors that account for roughly 90% of the price difference between one job and another.
- Screen size in square metres. This is the biggest single driver. A 6sqm indoor wall is a very different job to a 40sqm festival screen.
- Pixel pitch. Finer pitch panels (like 2.6mm for close-viewing indoor use) cost more than coarser outdoor panels because the LED density is much higher.
- Indoor or outdoor. Outdoor screens need weatherproof panels, higher brightness ratings and often extra rigging or ground support.
- Duration of hire. A one-day rate is proportionally higher than a five-day rate. Longer hires spread the transport and setup costs.
- Location and delivery distance. A Dublin event with an hour of travel each way is cheaper than a Kerry festival that needs two trucks and an overnight stay.
- Technicians on site. Dry hire (equipment only) is cheaper than a full install-and-derig with a tech on standby throughout the event.
When you’re comparing quotes, make sure you’re comparing on the same basis. A cheap quote often skips the technician, the delivery or the content playback, and those get added later as “extras”.
Typical LED Screen Hire Price Ranges in Ireland
Prices below are ballpark ranges based on the Irish market for a single-day hire including delivery within the greater Dublin area, basic setup and a Novastar processor. They shift up for longer distances, longer durations or premium technical support.
Small Indoor Screens (2 to 6 Square Metres)
These are the go-to for conference stages, awards nights, AGMs and smaller product launches. Expect €1,000 to €2,200 per day. Fine pixel pitch (2.6mm to 3.9mm) means the audience can sit close without seeing individual pixels.
Medium Indoor Screens (6 to 15 Square Metres)
Common for larger conferences, exhibitions and brand activations. Expect €2,200 to €4,500 per day. At this size the screen becomes the visual centrepiece of the room, so content quality and processor reliability matter more.
Large Outdoor Screens (15 to 40+ Square Metres)
Festivals, GAA events, community screenings and outdoor concerts. Expect €3,500 to €12,000 per day. Outdoor panels like the Yestech MG7 P5 are built for weather resistance and high brightness in daylight.
Perimeter and Pitchside LED (Sports Venues)
Pricing here is bespoke because it depends on the length of the run (up to 300 metres is possible domestically), refresh rate and whether the event is being televised. Expect quotes in the €10,000+ range for match-day setups.
What Should Be Included in the Quote?
This is where a lot of first-time hirers get burned. A headline price of €1,500 can quickly turn into €2,600 once the extras land on the invoice. A good, honest quote from a trusted LED screen hire should already include most of the following.
- Delivery to and collection from the venue
- Installation and derig by trained crew
- All cabling, power distribution and rigging or ground-stack hardware
- Novastar processing and control system
- A media player or laptop input for your content
- Basic on-site testing before the event starts
- Public liability insurance on the equipment
Ask any supplier for a written breakdown before signing anything. If the answer is vague or the quote is a single line item, that’s usually a red flag. For events with public attendance, you should also check the supplier’s health and safety documentation, which the Health and Safety Authority outlines clearly for temporary event structures.
Common Extras That Push the Price Up
Some costs are genuinely optional and some only apply to certain events, but you should know about them before you commit.
On-Site Technician for the Duration
Dry hire is fine if you have your own AV crew. If you don’t, factor in €350 to €600 per day for a technician who stays on site, handles content changes and troubleshoots any issues live.
Content Creation and Playback Management
The screen is only as good as what you put on it. If you need help formatting video, building sponsor loops or managing a live camera feed, that’s usually a separate service. Budget €200 to €800 depending on complexity.
Long-Distance Delivery and Overnight Stays
Anything beyond a 90-minute drive from Dublin usually adds a delivery surcharge, and multi-day festivals in the west or south may require overnight accommodation for the crew.
Standby or Backup Equipment
For high-stakes events (televised sport, major corporate AGMs, live broadcasts), you may want redundant processors or spare panels on standby. This is worth every cent when it matters, but it’s not standard on smaller hires.
Rigging, Trussing and Ground Support
If your venue can’t accept a floor-standing frame, you’ll need rigging into the ceiling or a truss structure. This is often billed separately because it involves additional load calculations and rigging crew.
How to Get an Accurate Quote First Time
The biggest reason quotes vary so wildly is that the supplier doesn’t have enough information. Give them the details below upfront and you’ll get a realistic number back within a day.
- Event date and duration, including setup and derig windows
- Exact venue address, indoor or outdoor, and any access restrictions
- Preferred screen size in square metres, or the viewing distance if you’re unsure
- Content format, such as pre-recorded video, live camera, PowerPoint or sponsor loops
- Power availability at the venue, or whether you need a generator
- Whether you need a technician on site or you’re running content yourself
If you’re not sure what size you need, ask for a free site visit. A quick walkthrough of the space will save you spending money on a screen that’s too small to be seen from the back row or too big for the room.
Why the Cheapest Quote Isn’t Always the Best Value
LED screens are one of those hires where a failure on the day is catastrophic. A dead panel in the middle of a keynote or a black screen five minutes before kickoff is not something you can fix with an apology.
The suppliers who charge a bit more usually have three things the budget end doesn’t. They have in-house repair capability so faulty panels get swapped fast, they carry spare processors and cabling as standard, and their crews have done hundreds of similar events so they know where things go wrong.
For a €2,000 hire on a €50,000 event, saving €300 on the screen is a false economy if it means no backup and no experienced tech on site. Get two or three quotes, compare what’s actually included line by line, and go with the one that gives you the fewest surprises on the invoice.
If you’d like a straight, no-nonsense quote for your event, get in touch with AVL. Our team will walk you through the options that actually suit your venue and budget.
