I recently used a foreign exchange company called Caxtons FX and they were fantastic. I got the commercial rate of 1.4780 with no charges for transferring the monies. You need to register with them (free) online faxing through a copy of either your passport or driving licence for money laundering purposes but after that you can phone and check every day until the rate is favourable and then book a rate 4 days in advance. I transferred monies from a sterling account in England to a relatives irish bank account.