Heading to the Emerald Isle to find your pot of gold? Whether it’s to live out your Enya dreams in haunted castles or to enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day celebration with Guinness on tap, Ireland is pure magic. 

However, before you chase the end of the rainbow, it’s key to understand the Ireland currency and ensure your journey is as smooth as a traditional folk song. 

Did you know? Two distinct jurisdictions divide Ireland: the Republic of Ireland (south) and Northern Ireland. Because they are separate entities (the United Kingdom and European Union), the Ireland currency you’ll need in your pocket changes depending on where you are. 

Keep reading to find out…

Currency in the Republic of Ireland (south) 

If you’re visiting the cobble-stoned streets of Dublin, the beaches of Cork, or travelling along the Wild Atlantic Way, you are in the Republic of Ireland. 

The Republic of Ireland is technically part of the European Union (since 2002), so the official currency in South Ireland is the Euro (EUR) – sometimes referred to by travellers as the rep of Ireland currency. 

For Kiwi travellers, it’s smart to keep an eye on the exchange rate for NZD to EUR to ensure you’re getting the best conversion. Good news, you can grab all the Euros you need at Travel Money NZ using our Price Beat Guarantee – we want to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck! 

For reference, Euro banknotes come in a variety of denominations: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500.

Currency in Northern Ireland

Thinking of crossing the border to Northern Ireland? You’ll find Giant’s Causeway, the Titanic Belfast, and the stunning Dunluce Castle, just to list a few sights. 

As Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, the official currency used is Great British Pounds (GBP), sometimes also referred to as Pound Sterling. That means if you’re planning to travel across both jurisdictions of Ireland, you’ll need both EUR and GBP in your pocket. 

While some shops in border towns may accept both EUR and GBP, they often use poor exchange rates to do so. That’s why it’s always best to use the local currency for each region. Thankfully for you, you can convert NZD to GBP at a solid rate with Travel Money NZ, both in-store and online. 

Great British Pound banknotes are available in an array of denominations: £5, £10, £20, £50, and £100. 

Should I take cash or a travel card to Ireland? 

The short answer is both. 

Ireland has embraced the digital age rapidly, with contactless payment (including Apple and Google Pay) being a common method for everything from bus fares to high-end restaurants. 
That’s why we recommend using a travel money card, such as the pre-paid Cash Passport, to load and lock your Euros and Great British Pounds. 

On the other hand, it’s wise to carry a small amount of the currency in the Republic of Ireland (EUR) or Northern Ireland (GBP) for things like tipping in small pubs, shopping in rural villages, and local craft markets and food trucks. 

While ATMs are common across Irish cities, you need to be careful of cheeky ATM operator fees. Although Cash Passport doesn’t charge any transaction fees (score!), you don’t want to be caught forking out for hidden withdrawal fees at ATMs. The best way to avoid this is to grab physical foreign cash before you leave New Zealand.

So, me lads, don’t leave your holiday budget to the luck of the Irish. Whether you need to grab NZD to EUR for the south or NZD to GBP for the north, we’ve got all you need and more. After all, those pints of Guinness aren’t going to pay for themselves!

Before you fly, make sure you're sorted with the right Ireland currency. Stop by Travel Money NZ or order online to lock in your rates, pick up a Cash Passport, and grab some cold, hard cash to treat yourself at the pub.