Ireland, like any other destination, operates on the fact that money makes the world go round.
While the Irish are famously welcoming and friendly you still need money to pay for a round of beers.
Here’s a quick lesson on everything you need to know about money in Ireland while traveling round the country.
Currency in Ireland
The currency in Ireland is the Euro, which has been in use since 2002.
The Euro is common in many European nations, providing convenience for travelers across the continent.
In Ireland, the Euro is denoted by the symbol € or the word Euro, typically positioned before the numerical value.
If you have Euro coins or notes from countries like Spain or the Germany, they are fully accepted in Ireland.
While the Euro notes are uniform across all nations, Irish coins feature the Irish harp on the reverse.
Most countries use this to showcase their varied culture but the Irish Mint appears to have been in the pub the day the coins were designed. They just used the same as what was on the pound, the Irish currency before the Euro and used it across all coins.
Of course any Euro coins can be utilized throughout Europe, but in Ireland the 1 and 2¢ pieces are no longer used. Prices are rounded to 5 cents.
Using Cash in Ireland
In Ireland, cash is still used, though card payments are widely accepted. For travelers, having cash on hand is beneficial for smaller expenses like a pint at a local pub or tipping musicians in traditional Irish music sessions.
It is rare to find a venue that insists on cash in Ireland. The one common place would be pubs, which have a minimum spend
Ireland has plent of vibrant farmers’ markets. These are a must-visit for travelers wanting to experience local produce and artisan goods. Be sure to bring some cash along, as smaller vendors often prefer it, although lots of stall holders have mobile card readers.
Public transport in Ireland, particularly in cities like Dublin, is quite straightforward. You can pay for your bus fare with coins, but it’s often more convenient to use a Leap Card, which can be topped up at most convenience stores and makes travel cheaper. Also, the Leap Card can be used for various modes of transport, adding to its convenience.
Pro Tip: Carry some Euro coins with you to give to buskers. Street music is an integral part of Irish culture and you will no doubt find lots of musicians busking in the streets of Dublin, Galway and Cork.
Using Credit Cards in Ireland
Credit and Debit Cards are widely used in Ireland. Most hotels, restaurants, and retail stores readily accept them.
Restaurants generally accept cards, but it’s a good idea to have some cash on hand for cozy pubs or smaller cafes, where card payments might not be an option. Even though card payments are common, some pubs put a minimum spend on them to speed things along at the bar.
Taxis in Ireland must accept card payments,
Swiping Credit Cards in Ireland
Ireland is one of the most forward countries in Europe when it comes to using cards. Tap and go is standard.
However if you reach the safety limit you will have to insert your card and use your pin number.
The older magnetic strip is largely outdated, yet most payment terminals can still accommodate a swipe if you’re using an American card which still often uses this technology.
Paying in Dollars on Credit Card
In Ireland, many card readers readily identify foreign cards. If your bank is based in, let’s say, the US, you’ll often be given the option to pay in dollars. This can be convenient as it provides immediate clarity on the amount you’re spending.
However, be aware of a major pitfall: when retailers convert the currency, they tend to embed a generous commission into the exchange rate. <strong>ALWAYS OPT TO PAY IN EUROS</strong> to secure the most favorable rates. Allow your home bank to handle the currency conversion.
In my experience, I’ve yet to encounter a merchant offering a better exchange rate than what my bank provides.
Apple Pay and Google Pay in Ireland
Both Apple Pay and Google Pay are quite common. In fact in Ireland phone payments are among the highest in Europe.
Most small places, like simple coffee shops will accept card and phone payments. There are some busy craft markets in Ireland and large numbers of the stall holders can aceppt payment by phone.
Exchanging Dollars in Ireland
In Dublin you will have no problem finding exchange offices. The same can be said of the three main international Airports. Cork, Dublin and Shannon.
However these foreign exchange offices have terrible rates for exchanging foreign cash to Euros.
The best option is to us an ATM to withdraw cash directly.
Withdrawing cash as you go means taht you don’t need to carry large sums of money throughout your trip. Just take as much as you need. However sometimes if you have a fixed fee from your back, withdrawing slightly larger amounts can be effecient.
ATMs nearly alwyas give the best exchange rate.
That said, for emergencies, there are exchange offices in larger cities and the airports.
ATMs in Ireland
ATMs in Ireland are widely accessible, especially in cities, towns, and larger villages. Locals refer to them as “cashpoints” or “bank machines,” they are available at banks, convenience stores, and transportation hubs.
However look for bank logos – some are independent machines and charge a fortune.
Most ATMs in Ireland accept major international cards like Visa and MasterCard, but it’s recommended to check with your bank for any potential withdrawal fees or restrictions.
While Ireland is increasingly moving toward cashless payments, it’s still useful to carry some cash for farmers’ markets or the ubiquitous Pub.
Be cautious of ATM-related scams, such as card skimming, and protect your PIN when entering it. Before your trip, notify your bank of your travel plans to prevent any issues with card access while in Ireland.
Don’t forget to thank your ATM in Ireland. My mother’s generation always did so as the machines were new technology and the country was poor. They were always grateful that the ATM gave them what they needed, especially when sometimes husbands weren’t as forthcoming with the cash.
Tipping in Ireland
In Ireland, gratuities are appreciated and often expected as a way to acknowledge good service. In restaurants, it’s common to leave a tip of at least 10% if the service was satisfactory, while exceptional service may warrant a tip of up to 15%.
Tipping applies to all services, not just bars and restaurants. For hotel staff, consider giving a small tip to porters and housekeeping as a gesture of thanks for their service.
While not mandatory, tipping in Ireland reflects your appreciation for good service and enhances your overall experience while visiting the country.
Tipping in Restaurants in Ireland
In Ireland tipping is quite common in restaurants. For the most part tips are often shared across the whole staff.
For casual dining or pubs, rounding the bill up is typical and most people are generous.
In better restaurants a full 10% is common.
When paying, it’s best to hand the total amount directly to the server, stating the total you wish to pay, including the tip. For example, if your bill comes to €22, you might give €25 and say to the server, “That’s Grand” (the Irish version of ‘that’s fine’).
If you are paying by card it is often best to have a fiver or a tenner handy to offer as a tip. Sometimes restaurants have a tip jar next to the till where you pay on your way out.
Tipping Guides and Drivers in Ireland
In taxis rounding up the fare or adding a euro or two is customary. This has somewhat disappeared because of apps and prepaying for your car.
Do add something in the app if you can. Drivers don’t always enjoy the wealth on display elsewhere in Ireland.
For tour guides in places like the Guinness Storehouse hand them a couple of Euros per person even a fiver if they were good.
For city guides the same applies.
Tipping in Bars in Ireland
While tipping in restaurants is common in Ireland, tipping in bars is not seen as often.
That said bartenders often come out at the end of the nice with a nice supplement to their wages.
Lots of people leave the spare change, especially when buying a larger round.
Sometimes you might tell the bartender ‘get one for yourself’ when buying a round. Typically they won’t be drinking on the job so they will just take the price of a pint as a tip.
Summary
Ireland uses the Euro like most of Western Europe.
Card payments are available almost everywhere. You can also tap and go with your phone.
Be careful when exchanging dollars or foreign currency in exchange offices, rates are often about 10%. It is better to withdraw cash from ATMs.
Tip generously in restaurants, but only if the service is good. If your barman is friendly,
Enjoy your trip to Ireland and spend wisely. It can be an expensive country. Check out my Online Travel Workshops to see if there is one on budgetting before your trip.
