Are there issues with Irish Euro and Pound?

Question

Do people in Belfast and Dublin keep both kinds of currency? Is there a rush of people that drive across the border looking for cheap gasoline or other kinds of goods depending on the exchange rate? Is there any security on the border today?

Answer 1

Both Dublin and Belfast aren't really near the border so most people don't carry both currencies. Most stuff in the Republic is slightly dearer or around the same than in the North except for fuel. There's not really any security at all on the border now. You only realise you've crossed the border when you see the different road signs.

Answer 2

It's better to have either a credit/debit card or a good supply of both Euro and Sterling if you intend moving regularly between Eire and Norn Ireland.

Most banks won't change currency if you don't have an account there (money-laundering panic!) and if you change in a shop or some other retail outlet, you will get less than the day's international bank rate.

There are no border checkpoints anymore but, because of the political views of some entrenched fanatics, it's advisable not to tender the 'wrong' currency in a minority of outlets on both sides of the border.

Answer 3

People do cross the border for cheaper goods, The Republic has cheaper petrol and cigarettes, but the north has cheaper , nearly everything else. This is because the fall in the value of sterling has not been reflected in the prices being charged by UK retailers in Irish shops!

Most people will go shopping in the north for alcohol, as the duty charged on this is less in the UK than in Ireland.

There are no security checks on the border.

Answer 4

I live in the Republic and visit the north on shopping trips. I don't usually carry Sterling and use my Debit or Credit card for purchases.

There are no more border checks and a new motorway has been opened which gets me to the border in 1 hour from my home in north Dublin.

Answer 5

in the north of ireland euro and pound are both excepted... down southt the euro is only accepted...