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Ireland,
Money
Single European currency (Euro): The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including Ireland). The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002; the Irish Punt was completely replaced by the Euro on 9 February 2002. Euro (&Euro;) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of &Euro;500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of &Euro;2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Currency exchange: Available in banks, airports and in bureaux de change. ATMs are widely available, catering for Cirrus and Mastero symbols.
Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are all widely accepted, as well as Eurocheque cards. Check with your credit and debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travellers cheques: Accepted throughout Ireland. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.
Currency restrictions: There are no restrictions on the import of local and foreign currencies. The export of local currency is restricted to &Euro;190.46 and of foreign currency notes up to &Euro;634.87 or up to amount imported.
Exchange rate indicators: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Euro against Sterling and the US Dollar:
| Date | May '04 | Aug '04 | Nov '04 | Feb '05 | | £1.00= | 1.50 | 1.49 | 1.43 | 1.46 | | $1.00= | 0.84 | 0.80 | 0.75 | 0.77 |
Banking hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1600. In Dublin, banks stay open Thurs until 1700; there are also late opening nights in other parts of the country, but the day will vary.
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