Rough Point Peninsula in detail
Money and Costs
Currency
Republic of Ireland: euro (€)
Northern Ireland: pound sterling (£)
Daily Costs
Budget: Less than €80
- Dorm bed: €12–20
- Cheap meal in cafe or pub: €8–15
- Inter-city bus travel (200km trip): €12–25
- Pint: €5–6.50 (more expensive in cities)
Midrange: €80–150
- Double room in hotel or B&B: €80–180 (more expensive in Dublin)
- Main course in midrange restaurant: €15–30
- Car rental (per day): from €30
- Three-hour train journey: €60
Top end: More than €150
- Four-star hotel stay: from €200
- Three-course meal in good restaurant: around €70
- Top round of golf (midweek): from €100
Bargaining
Ireland doesn't do bargaining – unless you're buying a horse.
Money
The Republic of Ireland uses the euro (€). Northern Ireland uses the pound sterling (£), although the euro is also accepted in many places.
ATMs
Most banks have ATMs that are linked to international money systems such as Cirrus, Maestro or Plus. Each transaction incurs a currency-conversion fee, and credit cards can incur immediate and exorbitant cash-advance interest-rate charges. Watch out for ATMs that have been tampered with; card-reader scams ('skimming') have become a real problem.
Changing Money
The best exchange rates are at banks, although bureaux de change and other exchange facilities usually open for more hours.
Credit Cards
Visa and MasterCard credit and debit cards are widely accepted; American Express is only accepted by the major chains, and virtually no one will accept Diners or JCB. Chip-and-PIN is the norm for card transactions – only a few places will accept a signature.
Smaller businesses, such as pubs and some B&Bs, prefer debit cards (and will charge a fee for credit cards), and a small number of rural B&Bs only take cash.
Tipping
Hotels €1/£1 per bag is standard; tip cleaning staff at your discretion.
Pubs Not expected unless table service is provided, then €1/£1 for a round of drinks.
Restaurants For decent service 10%; up to 15% in more expensive places.
Taxis Tip 10% or round up fare to nearest euro/pound.
Toilet attendants Loose change; no more than €0.50/50p.
Exchange Rates
The Republic of Ireland uses the euro.
| Australia | A$1 | €0.67 |
| Canada | C$1 | €0.68 |
| Japan | Y100 | €0.79 |
| New Zealand | NZ$1 | €0.64 |
| UK | £1 | €1.14 |
| US | US$1 | €0.88 |
Northern Ireland uses the pound sterling.
| Australia | A$1 | £0.59 |
| Canada | C$1 | £0.60 |
| Europe | €1 | £0.88 |
| Japan | Y100 | £0.68 |
| New Zealand | NZ$1 | £0.56 |
| US | US$1 | £0.77 |
For current exchange rates see www.xe.com.