What is the Best Currency to Use in Ireland? (2025)

Want to know what is the best currency to use in Ireland?

I lived in Dublin for a year and it will always remain one of the places I call home. The great thing is that card payments are widely accepted and you do not have to carry around a lot of cash.

If you are travelling to Ireland, the best currency to use in the Republic of Ireland is the Euro, and the pound in Northern Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland is part of the EU, and the official currency is the Euro. While, Northern Ireland is part of the UK, and the official currency is the pound.

Almost all places (hotels, shops, restaurants) accept card payments, but in some small, local markets they might only accept cash.

You should still get a small amount of cash as it is always good to have cash for emergencies in any country. You get the best exchange rates once you arrive in Ireland, so it is best to just exchange money once you are in country.

So, here is everything you need to know about money in Ireland, including ATMs, currency exchange, and the best currency to use!

What Currency Does Ireland Use?

The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro, and Northern Ireland uses the pound.

The Republic of Ireland is part of the EU, and its official currency is the Euro. It might seem confusing, so to know, the Republic of Ireland is “southern Ireland”.

Then, Northern Ireland is part of the UK, and its official currency is the pound.

What is the Currency of the Republic of Ireland?

The currency of the Republic of Ireland is the Euro. The Republic of Ireland is part of the EU and the euro as its official currency was introduced in 2002.

The Euro is used all across the Republic of Ireland, including Dublin, Galway, Cork and Limerick.

What Currency Does Dublin Use?

The currency used in Dublin is the Euro.

Dublin is the capital of the Republic of Ireland, and Euro is the official currency.

What is the Currency Used in Northern Ireland?

The currency used in Northern Ireland is the pound.

If you travel to England first and have English pound notes, you can use them in Northern Ireland.

However, if you travel to Northern Ireland first, get pounds there, and then go to England, you should spend or change your Northern Ireland pound banknotes to English notes.

It is due to that the banks in Northern Ireland issue specific Northern Ireland pound notes and they are usually not accepted in England.

What Currency Does Belfast Use?

The currency used in Belfast is the pound. Belfast is in Northern Ireland and the official currency of Northern Ireland is the pound.

What is the Best Currency to Use in Ireland?

The best currency to use in Ireland is the Euro in the Republic of Ireland, and the pound in Northern Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland is part of the EU, and the official currency is the Euro. While, Northern Ireland is part of the UK, and the official currency is the pound.

Does Ireland Use the Euro?

The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro, and Northern Ireland uses the pound.

Thus, if you are travelling to the Republic of Ireland (including Dublin, Cork, Galway), then the official currency is the euro.

If you are travelling to Northern Ireland (such as Belfast), then the official currency is the pound.

Does Ireland Accept Pounds?

No, Ireland does not accept pounds. The official currency in the Republic of Ireland is the Euro and that is the currency accepted for payments.

If you are travelling to Northern Ireland, then they accept pounds, as Northern Ireland is part of the UK.

However, if you go on a trip to Northern Ireland, and get pounds in Northern Ireland, you will likely not be able to use them in England.

It is due to that the banks in Northern Ireland issue specific Northern Ireland pound notes and they are usually not accepted in England.

Does Ireland Take US Dollars?

No, Ireland does not take US Dollars. Neither the Republic of Ireland, nor Northern Ireland take US Dollars as it is not their official currency.

The Republic of Ireland is part of the EU, and it uses the Euro as its official currency for all payments.

Northern Ireland is part of the UK and it uses the Pound.

US Dollars are not accepted in Europe as it is not the official currency of any of the European countries. Most of the European countries use the Euro or have their own currency, e.g. Hungarian Forint in Hungary.

If you are visiting Ireland (both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland), most places accept card payments.

It is always good to have some cash for emergencies, so once you are in country, you can exchange a small amount into the local currency.

Money in Ireland

The great thing about travelling in Ireland is that card payments are accepted in bigger cities in most places, especially if you are in places such as Dublin.

Before starting your trip to Ireland, make sure to notify your bank that you will use your card abroad. Sometimes, if you don’t notify your bank, they will block your card as they mark it as suspicious activity if you want to use it abroad.

When travelling in Ireland, you can use card payments almost everywhere but it is good to have a small amount of cash (EUR 40) for emergencies.

Ireland is a safe country but you should still watch out for pickpockets in crowded places.

Do I Need Cash or Card in Dublin?

Card payments (including contactless and Apple Pay) are widely accepted in Dublin, so there is no need to exchange a lot of money and carry around a large amount of cash.

You should still get some cash as it is always good to have cash for emergencies in any country.

While almost all places (hotels, shops, restaurants) accept card payments, in some small markets they might only accept cash.

Currency Exchange in Dublin

To exchange money in Dublin, the best thing to do is to exchange a small amount of money (EUR 40) once you get to the city center of Dublin.

The exchange shops in airports tend to have bad exchange rates, but you can get the good exchange rates in the city center.

As almost all places accept card payments (Visa, Mastercard), there is no need to carry a lot of cash, so only exchange a small amount into Euros.

ATMs in Dublin

If you want to withdraw money in Dublin, the best ATMs to use are the ones that are located outside of banks (e.g. Bank of Ireland) as they do not charge a withdrawal fee.

Overall, most ATMs in Dublin do not charge a withdrawal fee, however, your home bank might charge a foreign withdrawal fee.

ATMs at supermarkets may charge a withdrawal fee (around EUR 4), so it is best to avoid those if you don’t want to pay for fees.

Should I Take Cash to Ireland?

You should have a small amount of cash while travelling in Ireland, however, the best is to exchange money into Euro once you arrive in the Republic of Ireland.

The exchange rates are better in the country of which currency you want to buy.

For example, if you exchange US Dollars to Euro in the USA, then the exchange rate would be worse than if you exchanged US Dollar to Euro in Ireland.

Card payments are accepted almost everywhere in big cities in Ireland and you only need a small amount of cash for emergencies. If you travel to a remote area in Ireland, then it is best to take some more cash.

Once you arrive in Dublin, you can exchange money to around EUR 40 just in case, but pay by card most of the time.

Travel Cards for Ireland

Bank cards are accepted in almost all places in big cities in Ireland, so you can use your bank card for most transactions.

If you plan to do a lot of international travel where countries have different currencies, the best option is to get a travel card (Wise or Revolut) that are like bank cards but you can top it up with multiple currencies.

Wise and Revolut

There are two travel cards (Wise and Revolut) that are great for international card payments. You have to register and order a bank card, which may take up to 7 days to arrive so plan it ahead of your travel.

Once you registered, you can use their apps to top up your account with various currencies.

Wise and Revolut is also good for international travel as back up cards. In case your home bank card gets blocked while you travel, a Wise or Revolut bank card can be your back up option.

I have used Wise and Revolut through my travel across Asia and Europe and they work great in all countries.

Charles Schwab Checking Account

The Charles Schwab checking account is the only bank card that will reimburse 100% of international ATM withdrawal fees.

Most ATMs in Ireland do not charge ATM fees, but it is a great option in case you plan to visit other countries after Ireland.

The only disadvantage is that it is only open for US residents, so if you are eligible, you should open an account before your travels to be able to reimburse your ATM fees.

FAQs: What is the Best Currency to Use in Ireland?

Does Ireland use Euro or Pounds?

The Republic of Ireland is part of the EU and it uses the Euro. While Northern Ireland is part of the UK and it uses pounds.

What is the best currency to take to Ireland?

The best currency to use in Ireland is the euro in the Republic of Ireland, and the pound in Northern Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland is part of the EU, and the official currency is the Euro. While, Northern Ireland is part of the UK, and the official currency is the pound.

Can US Dollars be used in Ireland?

No, US Dollars cannot be used in Ireland. Neither the Republic of Ireland, nor Northern Ireland take US Dollars as it is not their official currency.

The Republic of Ireland is part of the EU, and it uses the Euro as its official currency for all payments.

Northern Ireland is part of the UK and it uses the pound sterling.

What is the main currency of the Republic of Ireland?

The currency of the Republic of Ireland is the Euro. The Republic of Ireland is part of the EU and the euro as its official currency was introduced in 2002.

The Euro is used all across the Republic of Ireland, including Dublin, Galway, Cork and Limerick.

How much is USD 100 in Ireland?

For the Republic of Ireland, currently, USD 1 equals to EUR 0.96, thus, USD 100 is EUR 96.

For Northern Ireland, currently, USD 1 equals to 0.80 pound, thus, USD 100 is 80 pounds.

Can I use my US credit card in Ireland?

Yes, you can use your US credit card in Ireland, as card payments (including Visa and Mastercard) are widely accepted in Ireland.

Contactless and Apple Pay are also available in most places in big cities, including Dublin. As card payments are widely accepted, you don’t have to carry around a large amount of cash.

In case you travel to a remote area in Ireland, then it is good to prepare having a bit more cash, as card payments may not be too widely used.

Should I take cash to Ireland?

You should have a small amount of cash while travelling in Ireland, however, the best is to exchange money into Euro once you arrive in the Republic of Ireland.

Card payments are widely accepted, so you don’t need to carry around a huge amount of cash. Once you arrive in Ireland, you can exchange a small amount of cash (EUR 40), so that you have some cash for emergencies.

What is the currency for Southern Ireland?

The currency for Southern Ireland is the Euro. Southern Ireland refers to the Republic of Ireland and its official currency is the Euro.

So if you travel to south Ireland, the money used is the Euro. Places in the Republic of Ireland include Dublin, Galway, Cork and Limerick.

Do I need Euros in southern Ireland?

Yes, you need Euros in southern Ireland. Southern Ireland refers to the Republic of Ireland, which is part of the EU.

The Republic of Ireland introduced the Euro as its official currency in 2002 and it is the official currency for all payments in the country.

Should I get Euros before going to Ireland?

You can get a small amount of Euros once you arrive in Ireland. Card payments are widely accepted in Ireland and there is no need to carry a lot of cash.

The exchange rates are better in the country of which currency you want to buy. So, it is best to just exchange some money once you are in Ireland.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the best currency to use in the Republic of Ireland is the Euro, and the pound in Northern Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland is part of the EU, and the official currency is the Euro. While, Northern Ireland is part of the UK, and the official currency is the pound.

While almost all places (hotels, shops, restaurants) accept card payments, in some small markets they might only accept cash.

You should still get some cash (EUR 40) as it is always good to have cash for emergencies in any country. You get the best exchange rates once you arrive in Ireland, so it is best to just exchange money once you are in country.