Check if you have any of the old style, classic one pound Sterling coins as they are no longer legal tender from October.
"A new 12-sided £1 coin launched on March 28, and now Britons are being urged to hand in their old pound coins before they cease to be legal tender from October 15. March to September is known as the co-circulation period, during which both old and new £1 coins can be accepted in shops."
Next up a new £10 note is being issued and the older style notes will no longer be issed from Spring 2018. http://www.thenewten.co.uk/
Old style £5 notes were replaced earlier in the year
But is there anywhere I can off load sterling in the republic ... just don't want to be left with it and I probably wont be north or in the uk anytime soon... will anywhere except it as payment ...or any bureau exchange as little as 20stg