Your memory is failing you. Up till about 1979/80 the Irish pound was exactly the same value as sterling because it was guaranteed by sterling. Different coins and notes but sterling circulated freely in Ireland. We has aspirations of greatness and broke away from sterling and let the Irish punt float freely on the world market. For a brief period the punt soared above sterling and we had to devalue as our exports became too dear. Ever since that our currency and later the euro has floated below sterling. The only things that are dearer here are cars and bikes and beer. Of course our beer is real and not the watered down stuff you get over there. Most English people have a good time here. And I certainly have a good time there. JJH
It was always cheaper to pop over the border and fill up and buy stuff