Cash only at restaurants and shops in Ireland?

Credit cards are accepted in most places in Ireland. Some smaller shops and some restaurants don't accept them. Others will place a minimum purchase amount before allowing you to use a card. But it is always good to have cash to cover your purchase in case their card machine decides to stop working. I have never been charged any additional fees for using credit card anywhere in either part of Ireland. I never use a debit card for purchases anywhere, so can't answer on that.

What foreign transaction and conversion fees does your favorite credit card charge? Many are available that charge nothing.

Probably too late now, but you could open an account at a bank that isn't so fee hungry and use it when you travel out of the country. Capital One 360 account charges no fees for any ATM transactions done anywhere. No looking for an affiliate, just pick an ATM that you like and use it. (If the ATM owner charges you a fee, you do pay that. But not many ATMs in Europe charge a fe so far.)

One thing to think about is what is less stressful to you: carrying enough cash with you to cover expenses for 2 weeks or paying the fees at ATMs. Also, you will need to bring Euro for Ireland and Pounds for Northern Ireland, if going to both places. Banks in Ireland don't do currency exchange for anyone not having an account with them. You would have to find a currency exchange if you are bringing US$, and they charge way more than BofA does for ATM transactions.

If you get your Euros and Pounds from your BofA location before leaving the US, they will charge a marked up exchange rate which may still be more than what the fees are for the ATM withdrawal. The bank will tell you it is a great rate, but do the math. How much will they charge you for €1000 if you get the cash at the branch today? How much will €1000 cost from an ATM in Ireland today? Include all fees for both options. This should help you decide.

And whatever option you choose, notify your credit card issuer as well as your bank for your debit card where and when you will be in Ireland so they don't cut you off for suspected fraud. And remember the Northern Ireland is a separate country from the Republic of Ireland.

Get about 400 euros in small denominations before you go from your bank and use that as needed.
Once that runs out go to an ATM. And I would not use a debit card connect to pay for anything.

Upon return or even before leaving, call BA and ask if they’ll refund the $5 fee. They did for me after I went to Belgium in March and used an ATM twice. Compare what it would cost to use your ATM vs what it would cost to exchange currency before going over. You’ll find the ATM is still a better deal, even if BA doesn’t refund the fee. Remember that the currency exchange will also charge a $5 or so fee, in addition to its 7-10% markup. With the BA ATM the foreign transaction fee is 3%.

I don't know if there is anything similar in the US but I've just opened an account with a company called Starling. They have a very good and easy to use app and I can transfer money into the account easily however the best part of it (and the reason I applied for an account) is that they do not charge foreign transaction fees unlike my bank. You are supplied with a card which uses the Mastercard system so it should be accepted pretty much everywhere.

We're off to Florida tomorrow so I'm keen to see how well it works. Topping it up is easy with my online banking app and I can withdraw cash and pay by card without having to worry about all those fees.

JC,
Sounds great. Hope your trip goes well. The only thing to worry about is that nearly every ATM in the US charges a fee to use it. It will be somewhere between $1 and $5. Your smaller banks and credit unions do seem to charge lower fees than the big banks (Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase).

And we do have something similar to your account here in the US -- Capital One 360. Same no fees for anything scheme and ATM withdrawals are at the interbank rate. I have used them for nearly 15 years and never had an issue.

I think you will find most businesses that cater primarily to tourists will accept credit cards. You can always ask, prior to being seated, at a restaurant to make sure. This is your vacation, and it is okay to spend money sometimes for convenience and peace of mind. If you would rather do frequent withdrawals from an ATM than carry a large amount of cash, you should do so. If you put that $5 fee in the context of what you are spending for this entire trip, it is not that big.

However, if you are planning on traveling outside of the US again in the future, you probably should consider opening an checking account that allows for no ATM fees and no foreign transaction fees for when you travel. I use Charles Schwab and have been pleased.