It’s been 23 years since the Irish punt was phased out, but people are still digging up old cash. So far in 2025, the Central Bank has exchanged nearly €171,000 worth of punts — with many households still finding forgotten notes and coins tucked away in drawers, under mattresses, or down the back of the couch.
New figures from Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe show £134,587 in old currency has been swapped for euro between January 1 and April 25 alone.
In response to a Dáil question, Minister Donohoe said that from 2015 to now, around IR£7.05 million has been exchanged, worth €8.96 million at the official IR£1 to €1.269 rate.
Surprisingly, 2024 saw a spike in exchanges, with £451,496 converted — up from £419,794 in 2023. The lowest year on record was 2020, during the Covid pandemic, when just £326,746 was turned in.
Over the last decade, the Central Bank has handled 1,737 applications involving punt amounts over £750, totaling more than £5.17 million.
So, if you still have a few old notes stashed away - it might be worth checking the attic!
