Scotland began this Six Nations opener with an aggressive start, with Adam Hastings putting the first points of the game on the board with a penalty from the 22.
But Scotland's narrow defence was caught out on 10 minutes later as Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton combined for a try, Reports the Daily Record.
Sexton converted for two points but another Scottish penalty made it a one point game.
It wasn't a great start to the Scottish side's Six Nations campaign at the Aviva Stadium.
The build-up to the match had been dominated by the absence of Finn Russell, who was sent back to Racing 92 for breaking team disciplinary rules, but his absence wasn't felt in the opening exchanges.
The visitors showed some good attacking play but were guilty of being profligate when the opportunities came, repeatedly giving up possession on the Irish 22 and seeing Hastings miss a penalty from a difficult position.
The latter would prove costly as Sexton converted a penalty just two minutes later to make it 10-6 at the break.
After the restart the Irish captain added another penalty and Stuart Hogg wasted a massive chance for a first Scotland try.
The captain had no-one near him as he approached the line but somehow contrived to drop the ball, an error which was picked up by the TMO.
It was a perfect illustration of Scotland's wastefulness and the fact Hastings converted the penalty was scant consolation.
A Hastings penalty with 15 minutes to play put Townsend's men within a score but Sam Johnson gave away a daft penalty and Sexton converted with ease to put Ireland back in command.
Scotland gained good position late on to try and force another try but conceded a penalty for not releasing just one metre out and Ireland comfortably saw out the final two minutes.
