Help! I'm having trouble getting Irish currency at local banks. I fly into Shannon airport..are there enough ATMs around that I can get money there and not worry about it? (I'm hoping so) Thanks.

Kelli - I'm leaving next week. Unfortunately, this will by my first time to Ireland too. But look at the post "2 Quick Questions". I posted it and one of the questions was about currency. From what I've learned, both Thomas Cook and American Express offices have cash on hand (Irish punt) to exchange. Don't have to wait like at local banks. Also, in lieu of wads of cash, get some Travelers Cheques. they're insured (in case lost). Banks should be able to issue them directly. Be careful which credit card you use at ATMs, many are now charging fees on the exchange. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps a bit. Have a blast!

I don't know about the Airport, although as most airports have ATMs one can assume so. A little GBP might be a good idea in case not - most places in Ireland will accept BPs, but give you change pack in punts. <BR>

kelli, <BR> <BR>Relax! We exchanged our money last August at Shannon Airport upon our arrival. Know we paid a service charge [not high at all], as we didn't want to search for an ATM...actually the rate at the airport was the best exchange rate we saw our entire trip. <BR>Have a wonderful vacation!

Kelli, <BR> <BR>No worries, yes, there's an ATM at the Shannon airport (we were just there in February). It's located...let's see...assuming you're just coming out of the arrival door, having gotten through customs and claimed your luggage: to your far right should be a wall of rental-car counters, and to your closer right and just behind you should be a souvenir shop and TI. Directly *across* the room (it's just one big room) from you, right by one set of exit doors, is the ATM machine. (Assuming they haven't moved it in six months.) Caution: there are *only* numbers on the machine's keypad, no letters. So if your ATM password has any letters in it, make sure to memorize the corresponding *numbers* on the keypad. I.E., if my atm code is "Ralph," the number is 72574. <BR> <BR>Have fun! The West Coast of Ireland is *wonderful*. We were in County Clare and County Galway mostly--don't miss Doolin, the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and the Connemara region. Get to the Aran Islands if you can. If you have any questions about that area I'd be happy to answer them.

Thanks chris, jo, elaine and gina for the (soo quick) advice! I feel soo much better knowing we can access money at the airport. (phew!). From Shannon, our route is Kinsale..Kerry..Dingle.. Connemara..Galway..Adare...and of course all the beautiful areas in between. I don't think we'll be able to sleep tonight! Thanks again.

You should try going to your local American Express office...before I went to Ireland, I changed money there and they had no problem giving me a couple hundred dollars worth of Irish currency. Have a great trip

Kelli, <BR>We are leaving for Ireland tomorrow too! What a coincidence. I had trouble changing money locally, too. However, I know that You can use the ATM in the shannon Arrivals HAll and there is a bank available in the airport as well. I am not sure of the fees involved, but you can get enough cash to get you started. Have a great trip. <BR>Patty

Thanks again to everyone for thier help. Patty - we fly out of Newark at 9:30pm...are you on that flight? I don't know about you, but we didn't sleep a wink last night! Have a great trip!!