Emergencies
If, as a foreign visitor, you run out of money or there is some kind of emergency, the quickest way to get money sent out is to contact your bank at home and have them wire the cash to the nearest bank. For Americans and Canadians - or any Amex cardholder - one of the quickest ways to get money from home is through American Express. The company allows cardholders to draw cash from their checking accounts, up to US$1000 every 21 days (over the counter) or seven days (from an ATM), as well as offering its own Moneygram Service (tel 1-800/543-4080; www.moneygram.com ), through which money can be sent to Europe. Another option is to have cash sent out through Western Union (tel 1-800/325-6000; www.westernunion.com ) to a nearby bank or post office (this service is available to any traveller, not just North Americans). Make sure you know when it's likely to arrive, since you won't be notified by the receiving office. Remember, too, that you'll need some form of identification when you pick up the money. Moneygram fees start at US$24, and Western Union US$29 for a wire of US$300; the fees do rise quite steadily and this is an expensive - albeit necessary at times - way to get money. Finally, Americans in dire straits can arrange to have money sent to them via the State Departments' Citizen's Emergency Center (Mon-Fri 8am-10pm, Sat 9am-3pm tel 202/647-5225, at all other times 202/647-7000; www.travel.state.gov ). For Australians and New Zealanders , your best bet is to take a Visa or Mastercard, or a key (debit) card with cirrus or plus transaction facilities, with you. Otherwise you have to make arrangements for a possible international money transfer before you leave by nominating a bank and account number in Ireland, entrusting your bank account number with someone at home and paying a fee of A$25/NZ$30.
Your Tip for Ireland
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