Ireland Alive. In Real Time.

The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro (€). Northern Ireland (Derry, Belfast, etc.) uses Pound Sterling (£). If you're visiting both, you'll need both currencies.

Airports offer the worst rates — use An Post (Irish post offices), banks, or online services like Wise/Revolut. Most towns have at least one currency exchange kiosk. An Post branches and major banks (AIB, Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank) can exchange most currencies. There is no strict legal limit on how much you can exchange, but amounts over €10,000 (or equivalent in USD/GBP) may trigger anti-money-laundering checks — bring ID and expect questions about the source of funds. For large sums, phone ahead to confirm the branch holds enough cash stock.

Banks and An Post typically handle exchanges from a few hundred up to several thousand euros without issue. For very large amounts (over €5,000–€10,000), banks may require advance notice to ensure they have the foreign currency in stock. An Post's foreign exchange service (via their Eurozone partner) caps some online orders but in-branch limits are higher. Always bring your passport for ID — it's required for any cash exchange.

Contactless is everywhere — even in rural pubs. Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost universally. American Express is rarer. Minimum contactless is usually €5–€10.

ATMs (called 'hole in the wall' locally) are widely available. Bank ATMs give the fairest rates. Avoid Euronet or independent machines at tourist hotspots — they charge steep fees.

Small rural pubs, Sunday markets, some B&Bs, and tipping in cafes still prefer cash. Keep €50–€100 in notes on you, especially outside Dublin.