This is such a wonderful board, and I've gotten a lot of useful information. I now have a question about currency. Is the pound used throughout the UK (including Northern Ireland)? I know Ireland uses the punt instead of the pound, but will the pound be accepted there? We are going on a three-week tour that includes both parts of Ireland. My tour agent said that the pound can be used everywhere we go, but I'm not sure she really knows or may just be guessing. Can someone tell me? Thanks

The pound is British, alas, so yes it can be used all over Britain. <BR> <BR>You are correct in thinking Southern Ireland, or Eire, use the punt.

Thank you, Tony.

The memory is rather vague (not alcohol induced this time, just up too late at night) but northern Ireland has its own 'pound' which is what you get at a bank if you change money, it's only good in northern Ireland, so be careful - the British pounds are what you want for the U.K. (including the Six Counties).

I hope the British pound is good for the two days I'll be in N. Ireland. I'm on a tour, but will have to purchase lunch and one dinner.

<BR>

Sorry for the above mishap. <BR> <BR>The U K pound, dividided into one hundred pence, is good in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Notes in Scotland and Northern Ireland look different from the English variety, but all are good throughout the U K. Occasionally, some English establishments balk at taking Scottish or N Irish notes, but that is through ignorance. If anyone shirks your Scottish or N Irish currency in England, insist they take it. The are legally bound to, unless they legitimately think they are fakes of course.

<BR>As a matter of practicality, you will find that the Irish in the south deal constantly backwards and forwards in pounds and punts. If you give them a British note they will give you Irish change. It is however worth checking you're getting a decent exchange rate.

Yes, you can use English/Scottish/ <BR>N.Irish pounds in place of punts in Eire, and they're treated just about equally. The exchange rate is near enough 1:1 anyway - I don't reckon it's worth bothering to get pounds changed to punts for the sake of a few days walking-around money. <BR>However get rid of your Scottish & N.Irish notes before you leave Britain - a lot of places in Europe won't change them, or will give you a considerable deflated rate for the Scottish/N.Irish ones. (this from one who lives in Scotland and has trouble finding English notes to take abroad)