Northern Ireland Travel Guide

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Shopping

Ulster is well known for its pure Irish linen; cut-glass goblets, decanters and bowls; creamy Belleek pottery; handwoven tweed; pure wool jumpers and cardigans hand-knitted in traditional patterns; hand-embroidered wall hangings; Carrickmacross lace and silver jewelry.

Shopping hours: Shops are generally open Mon-Sat 0900-1800, Sun 1300-1800 (Thurs late-night shopping in Belfast city center until 2100). Other cities and towns close for a half-day one day a week (it differs from town to town). Modern shopping centers on the outskirts of towns have late-night shopping Thurs-Fri until 2100.

Currency

For information on currency, see the main United Kingdom section.

Cheques backed by a banker’s card are widely accepted. Many large stores accept Euros.

Currency Exchange

Some hotels will change money but banks and bureau de change give the best rate of exchange.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

Visa and Mastercard are accepted, as are Maestro debit cards.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1600. In very small villages, the bank may open two or three days a week only, so aim to get cash in the bigger centers.

Exchange Rate