Basic Country Data:

• Country ISO Code: IE

• Official Language: Irish (Gaelic) and English

• Language ISO Code: ga (Irish), en (English)

• Current Official Currency: Euro

• Current Currency ISO Code: EUR

Euro (EUR) — Current Official Currency

• ISO Code: EUR

• Singular Name: euro

• Plural Name: euros

• Monetary Subdivision: 1 euro = 100 cents

• Subdivision Name Singular: cent

• Subdivision Name Plural: cents

• Initial Production Date: 1999 (electronic), 2002 (physical)

• Final Production Date: ongoing

• Initial Circulation Date: January 1, 2002

• Final Circulation Date: currently in circulation

• Mint: Currency Centre of the Central Bank of Ireland

• Issuing Bank: Central Bank of Ireland

• Coin Denominations: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents; 1 and 2 euros

• Banknote Denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 euros (500 euro note no longer issued since 2019)

• Designs / Symbols:

  • Coins: common European side and national side featuring the Celtic harp, Ireland’s national symbol, and the 12 stars of the European Union.

  • Banknotes: European architectural motifs (bridges, doors, windows), no portraits of real persons.

• Economic Historical Context:

  • Ireland adopted the euro in 1999 for electronic transactions and in 2002 for physical currency, replacing the Irish pound (punt Éireannach).

  • The transition facilitated economic integration with the European Union and the eurozone.

• Mint Locations: Currency Centre of the Central Bank of Ireland for coins and banknotes.

• Mintages / Commemoratives:

  • Coins feature the Celtic harp and the 12 stars of the EU flag.

• Curiosities / Commemorative Coins:

  • 2 euro commemorative coins have been issued for Irish and EU cultural and historical events.

• Current Circulation Status: active and widely used throughout the country.

• Issuing Authority: Central Bank of Ireland.

• Relevant Legislation: European Union treaties, European Central Bank regulations, and Irish national legislation.

• Signatories on Banknotes: President and Vice-President of the European Central Bank.

• Persons Honored on Coins and Banknotes: Irish national symbols, no portraits of real persons.

Irish Pound / Punt Éireannach (IEP) — Former Official Currency

• ISO Code: IEP

• Singular Name: pound / punt

• Plural Name: pounds / puint

• Monetary Subdivision: 1 pound = 100 pence / pingin

• Subdivision Name Singular: penny / pingin

• Subdivision Name Plural: pence / pinginí

• Initial Production Date: 10th century (first coinage c. 997)

• Final Production Date: December 31, 2001 (physical currency)

• Initial Circulation Date: 10th century

• Final Circulation Date: March 1, 2002 (physical currency)

• Mint: various, including Bank of Ireland and historical mints

• Issuing Bank: Central Bank of Ireland

• Coin Denominations: 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1

• Banknote Denominations: £5, £10, £20 (rarely £50 and £100)

• Designs / Symbols:

  • Coins and banknotes bore Irish national symbols and had denominations similar to British pound but with distinct identity.

• Economic Historical Context:

  • The Irish pound was used until 2002, decimalized in 1971.

  • Initially pegged to the British pound but diverged over time.

  • Replaced by the euro as part of European integration.

• Mint Locations: Bank of Ireland and other historical institutions.

• Curiosities:

  • Fixed parity with British pound until 1826.

  • Public concern about price increases during euro transition.

• Current Circulation Status: out of circulation since 2002, no official exchange possible.

• Issuing Authority: Central Bank of Ireland.

• Relevant Legislation: participation in European Exchange Rate Mechanism, national and EU laws.

• Signatories on Banknotes: various over time, including governors of the Central Bank of Ireland and finance ministers.

• Persons Honored on Coins and Banknotes: historical figures and Irish national symbols.

This report provides a complete financial history of Ireland, highlighting the transition from the Irish pound to the euro, the characteristics of coins and banknotes, historical context, and current status of the official currency.