ATM's in Ireland?

No one wants to deal with traveler cheques. You will spend most of your vacation just trying to find somewhere to cash them if you take them. :-)

ATMs are everywhere. Make sure you use a bank operated one as the others you might find in pubs or other businesses usually have high fees. Also check the withdrawal limit on your debit cards, ask your bank to increase the limit if you think it is too low for what you will be spending.

Yes, credit cards are used most places. I found it easier to pay cash in pubs and some restaurants. Always make sure you have enough cash to cover your meals and drinks.

Make sure to tell both your credit and debit card issuers when and where you will be so they don't cut you off thinking your transactions are fraud. And if the ATM or merchant offers to charge you in USDollars, decline. This option is called Dynamic Currency Conversion and allows the merchant or ATM to choose whatever exchange rate they want instead of being forced to use the official rate. You want to be charged in the local currency, otherwise It will cost you money unnecessarily!

ATMs are everywhere. Dublin is very credit card friendly, but the more rural I got, the more I try to pay with cash.

Be sure to check your credit card and debit card transaction fees which can put a high fee on foreign transactions. (For example, Key bank has started charging $10 for foreign ATM transactions with a debit card)

Don't plan on using American Express as it is not accepted at many places.

If you have a chip & pin credit card, be sure to know your pin.

Have fun!

Thanks everyone. We will be traveling mostly along the western coast (around Doonbeg), , so I think the ATM's will be rather sparse.

David H
New Jersey

Check that your accommodations will allow payment by credit card. We stayed at a B&B in Dingle that insisted on cash. Wished we had asked ahead of time. We had no problem finding bank ATMs.

David,
Take a look at your ATM card, and you will see (if you don't already know) which networks are assigned to it. Then you can simply Google those ATM network directories (such as Plus, VISA, etc.). The on-line directory will give you (by city/country) the street address of each ATM along with the bank name. Typically, we'll then zero in a little more closely to find the closest ATMs to where we are staying overnight, then ask the front desk. And, as always advised on this site, best to use an ATM inside a bank, if you find one located accordingly) or at least attached to a bank.

Have fun in Ireland......we loved it there.

Thanks. Good tips. David H

Hi David, I copied and pasted my response to a similar question regarding cash in Ireland and have since visited Ireland and used my Schwab debit over there. It works great, spits out Euros and worked at every ATM tried. Many of the B&B's want cash so be sure to tell your debit card company to increase your daily limit so you can make a larger withdrawal. Some of the smaller towns I visited on the west coast did not have ATM so we had to plan what we needed in advance. The Schwab thing is a no brainer and I only use them for the debit card ATM feature. Some of the ATM's limit you on amount of withdrawal but the ATM I used on arrival at the Dublin airport didn't blink when I took out 1000 Euro! It also worked for me later (we were there two weeks and paid for all of our B&B with cash) at a grocery store to take out as much as the machine would allow (200 Euro) but I was able to re-insert the card and make a 2nd and 3rd withdrawal. Because Schwab does not charge a transaction fee it didnt hurt me to make three transactions. Here is my earlier post......"most debit cards will charge an extra fee for withdrawing funds at a non-group bank ATM. many people have recommended a Schwab checking account that has no fees and will allow you to access ATM machines in Europe/UK with no foreign transaction fees (change your banks money to euros) and no additional fees for use of a machine outside your bank's atm network. Schwab actually refunds you cash if you are charged with a fee for using the ATM. You have to open a checking and brokerage account but there are no account or checking fees. i have used my card in Scotland and Italy over the last three years and they worked great. With a May trip date you may be too late but it would be worth a call to Schwab to see if they can deliver the debit card before you leave. good luck."

While not on every corner, the Visa ATM finder shows around 10 ATMs within 10 miles of Doonbeg. Your best bet would probably be Kilrush which has a Bank of Ireland branch. The ATM in Doonbeg is at the golf course and does not show a bank affiliation meaning it might have high fees.

http://www.visa.com/atmlocator/index.jsp?country=US#(page:home)

Thanks again. These are all very helpful responses!

David H

Maggie, thanks for the suggestion. I looked up my credit union's networks and found an ATM just a few blocks from where we're staying. Perfect.