Jetmir Amiti’s through-ball found the run of Tim Lemperle who side-footed to the corner of the net for a composed finish to give the visitors the lead in the fourth minute.
Despite that early setback, Ireland played their way into the game and should’ve levelled in the 16th minute.
Matt Everitt showed good feet when slaloming in from the right flank to carve open the Germany defence. The ball ran for Ronan McKinley who just couldn’t find the finish as he blazed over the top from close range.
Though the game remained tight into the second half, Ireland goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran was forced into smart saves to deprive Lars Kehl and then Marvin Weiss.
Having survived, Ireland were inches from an equaliser on 61 minutes. McKinley cut in on the left to get his shot away but Noah Atubolu in the visitors’ goal got the faintest of touches to tip the shot onto a post.
Two minutes later, the Germans doubled their lead when Weiss turned cleverly inside the area to drill his low shot past Corcoran.
It was then all but game over in the 67th minute as Germany stretched their advantage.
Festy Ebosele was adjudged to have tripped Lemperle inside the area with substitute Kerim Calhanoglu scoring emphatically from the resulting penalty.
Ireland got some reward for their endeavour three minutes later. Ebosele did well on the left to cross for Everitt to score with a diving header.
Marton Dardai added Germany’s fourth goal two minutes from time, as he headed home at the near post from Calhanoglu’s free kick.
Speaking after the game, Ireland Under-17 Head Coach Colin O'Brien was happy with his side's performances in the three games.
"We got what we needed from the past few weeks. These games replicated what we will face in the European Finals. The players mightn't see it now, but the past fortnight has been invaluable.
"We've been in every game, but there are a few things that we need to eradicate. They're all very fixable, so there is plenty to work on for the players in the next few months.
"The players have learned about the fine margins at this level. We need to be more clinical, but there are so many positives to take."
Ireland Under-17s return to action in the Spring as preparations continue for the UEFA Under-17 European Championship.
Republic of Ireland: Jimmy Corcoran; Thomas Considine, Timi Sobowale, Luke Turner, Seamus Keogh (capt); Ronan McKinley (Sean Kennedy 72), Joe Hodge, Brandon Holt; Matt Everitt, Conor Carty, Festy Ebosele
Germany: Noah Atubolu; Lasse Rosenboom (Adrien Koudelka 51), Jannis Lang, Marton Dardai, Luca Netz (Kerim Calhanoglu 46); Lars Kehl, Malik Tillman (capt) (Jordan Meyer 46), Jetmir Ameti (Marco John 46); Marvin Weiss, Ware Pakia (Nick Woltemade 74), Tim Lemperle
Referee: Nicholas Walsh (SCO)