Currency

No. Ireland uses Euros as it's currency.

Of course, Michael is right, the Irish currency is the Euro. If your question is, in a pinch, will someone accept at a $20 bill, then the answer is possibly yes. The rate of exchange that you get, will of course, not be very favorable. You want to get a ATM card and use it to withdraw Euros when you are there. Pam

In addition, remember that N. Ireland uses the British pound.

In a pinch will an American business in America accept a euro,, (the euro is stronger) ???

Are Euros accepted in Dagsboro?

My mother asked that question to several store keepers in a small village where the credit card machine was not working anywhere in the vicinity - they all answered NO. After the 3rd or 4th person, we had a discussion on the rarity that anyone in Ireland would accept the US Dollar. So bring some Euros with you and keep them in a hidden compartment for emergencies.

Pamela - I highly doubt some merchant or restaurant would accept US dollars period. They would have no way to even know how to figure out the exchange rate even if they wanted to. In a pinch you could find an exchange service to trade in those dollars for an awful rate/fee. To expand on Peg's question a bit more: You obtain euros from any ATM in Ireland using your own ATM/Debit Card. Be sure to notify the bank in advance of your trip and it's often best to bring a backup card just in case. You get the best exchange rate this way too. If you use your credit card (notify them too), you sometimes might be asked if you want the charge in euros or US currency. ALWAYS demand the local currency. The exchange rate for the "convenience" of them converting for you is awful. Some people feel more comfortable bringing $100-200 worth of euros with them. Large banks or sometimes a local branch will do exchanges for you, ask around. But the rate is not good so only change enough for pocket money on your arrival.

Of course a merchant won't accept the dollar in the normal course of business. I literally meant in a pinch. Such as you are totally stranded, it's the middle of the night and then you may be able to find some kind soul to accept it to help you out. You probably need to offer a $20 for a $2 item as of course, it's inconvenient. It's not like the days when you there were places where you would get arrested for trading $$ in an open market, which is what you're doing, right? I know it sounds remarkable, but there are places in the world without ATMs and they tend to be in rural towns where you can find kind and sympathetic people. Pam

Pam have you had this experience lately,, in Europe,, sorry but the American dollar is just not the thing anymore,, and most people really would not accept it. I know you mean well, but I would hate for someone to count on that advice and literally be screwed.. a bank will accept your American dollars,, but you may not find a bank in the open on a sunday, ( well you won't) or at night, or if stuck out in some rural area. Plus keep in mind, your money looks fake to them, it could be fake as far as they know,, it looks like play money to me,, I wouldn't really know a fake bill from a real one, thinking some gas station attendent in rural Ireland might think the same think. The kindness of strangers is a possibility,, but perhaps thats giving a person a room till the bank opens in the am,, not accepting dollars.

The good news is a merchant is more likely to accept your $20 bill than your 20 Euro travelers check. Use Euros. If you're out of money, ask where an ATM is? Chances are good you are less than a block from a supply of local currency.

If you're really stuck some nice kind european will prob help you for free rather than break the law. S ;0)

The US currency that has the best chance of being accepted (at least by banks with a foreign exchange window) is the newer 50 dollar bills, the ones that have a slightly pink/red tinge of color. We Have exchanged in several banks with no hesitation during our last 2 trips. The exchange rate is best using plastic debit in ATM's. However, our experience has been about 1 1/2 percent more at banks exchanging 50's. I wouldn't count on any one else taking US currency.