Personal Finance 101 in Ireland

splitstar · Member

Personal Finance 101 in Ireland

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

What has worked for me is to draw out 100-200 euro at a time and then just keep my eyes open for an opportunity to replenish, once I'm down to about 40-60 Euro, unless I know that I'm going to need a specific amount for a particular B&B or a special event ( like our attendance at a John Spillane performance at DeBarras) where cash is the required medium.
There are very few places in Ireland that don't have an ATM, like Doolin, Sheep's Head and PARTS of Mizen Head, so reasonable prudence needs to be exercised in advance of travelling into those types of locales.
If there is an ATM in Baggage Claims area, before Customs, that's usually a good place to start, while you are waiting anyway. Plus, if the one(s) in the Arrivals Hall are too busy or (occassionaly) out of cash, you're not "stuck".US Dollars will usually be accepted in the airports, so they will work, in a pinch.
Lots of Centra (and numerous other) grocery stores usually have an ATM inside them, as well. smile

I wouldn't want to carry around a week's worth of Euros, particularly at the current exchange rate. hmm

Have a GREAT trip.

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Splitstar,

Good advice from Bob. Most things can be charged on your credit card. Do that when possible. You can use cash for admissions and for B&Bs and cafes that don't take credit cards. I also agree that you should use the ATM in baggage claims. The one in the main hall at the airports sometimes runs out of cash.

Michele

splitstar · Member

If we run into a problem in Irleand and need some cash wired, is it possible? Are there Western Union sites where money could be wired to Ireland from here? We won't have a bank account in Ireland.

YaYa · Guru

Dear splitstar,

I think you can stop worrying, if you have your ATM card, credit card and a few traveller checks you should be fine. Once before ATM's ,while in Greece and Ireland if I needed extra funds, I could get them from a bank using a credit card. Of course the add-on fees were high.

Enjoy your trip, Joan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Splitstar,

You have done everything right. Now just relax. I am just back from Ireland tonight and hardly used any cash at all. Most everything was charged on my credit cards. When I did get money at the ATM I pushed the button to get the max (think it was 200 euro) out. I also exchanged some US cash that I bought. Ulster Bank has the best service fees for that.

Michele