Overview
'Irish eyes finally smiling'

Long gone are the days when Ireland was one of the poorest countries in Europe and its natives fled to all corners of the globe in search of refuge. Today it is cool to be Irish and thanks to the likes of the Corrs, Boyzone and U2, evocative images of Ireland now pervade popular culture across the globe. The Ireland of the new millennium is a modern, progressive European nation whose ‘Celtic Tiger’ economy is booming, but it is not only Irish eyes that are smiling as more and more tourists discover Ireland for themselves.

Dublin is undoubtedly the spiritual and cultural heart of the Emerald Isle. Crowding around the banks of the murky River Liffey the city, like the country, is bound in rich layers of history, back to the days when Celtic tribes wandered the peat bogs, to the present that sees the city overflowing with trendy bars and nightclubs. Elsewhere, the cities of Cork, Galway and Limerick boast their own charms, but it is out in the rolling countryside that you can unearth the idyllic Ireland of the movies. Here in the atmospheric old pubs you can experience the legendary ‘craic’ where music and song lead the course of an evening. Alternatively, ramble over the hills of Glenmalure or sail through the mist shrouded Pater-Noster Lakes, places that seem a million miles away from the tourist maelstrom of Dublin.
Robin McKelvie


General

Area: 70,285 sq km (27,137 sq miles).
Population: 3,626,087 (1996).
Population Density: 51.6 per sq km.
Capital: Dublin. Population: 952,700 (1996).

Geography: The Republic of Ireland lies in the north Atlantic Ocean and is separated from Britain by the Irish Sea to the east. The northeastern part of the island (Northern Ireland) is part of the United Kingdom. The country has a central plain surrounded by a rim of mountains and hills offering some of the most varied and unspoilt scenery in Europe – quiet sandy beaches, semi-tropical bays warmed by the Gulf Stream, and rugged cliffs make up the 5600km (3500 miles) of coastline.

Government: Republic. Head of State: President Mary McAleese since 1997. Head of Government: Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.

Language: Irish (Gaelic) is the official language, spoken as a first language by about 55,000 people (mostly in the west). The majority speak English.

Religion: Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant 5%.

Time: GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before the last Sunday in October).

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. 3-pin plugs are in use.

Communications:  

Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 353 followed by the area code, omitting the initial zero. Outgoing international code: 00.

Mobile telephone: GSM 900 networks cover the whole country. GSM 900/1800 network (operated by Meteor) covers approximately 60% of the country. Handsets can be hired. For further information, contact Eircell (web site: http://www.eircell.ie).

Fax: Facilities are widely available.

Internet/E-mail: Public access is available free in libraries. Cybercafés exist in nearly every town. ISPs include Ireland On-Line (web site: http://home.iol.ie).

Post: Post office hours: 0900-1730/1800 Monday to Friday; 0900-1300 Saturday. Sub-post offices close at 1300 one day of the week. The Central Post Office is in O’Connell Street, Dublin.

Press: There are several daily newspapers published in Dublin including The Irish Times, Evening Herald and the Irish Independent; and two in Cork. British dailies and Sunday papers are available.
 

Passport/Visa

PASSPORTS: Valid passport required by all except:
(a) 1. persons born in the UK travelling direct from the UK;
(b) 2. nationals of Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and The Netherlands holding a valid national identity card; (it is, however, advisable to bring a valid passport).

VISAS: Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of countries referred to in the chart above;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, British Dependent Territories*, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Jamaica, Korea (Rep. of), Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela, Samoa and Zimbabwe.

Note*: (a) Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory (South Gerogia, South sandwich Islands), British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago, Peros Banos, Diego Garcia, Danger Island), Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands & Dependencies, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn (Henderson, Ducie & Oneno Islands), St Helena & Dependencies (Ascension Island, Tristan da Cunha), Turks & Caicos Islands and British Virgin Islands. (b) Certain nationals do require a transit visa at all times. As this list is subject to frequent change, travellers should check with the nearest Irish Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) before departure. (c) Persons holding a Hong Kong Certificate of Identity require an entry visa.

Types of visa and cost: Single-entry: £20. Multiple-entry: £40. Transit: £8. Nationals of some countries receive visas free of charge. Enquire at Consulate/Consular section of Embassy for further details.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see address section for details.

Application requirements: (a) 1 completed application form. (b) Fee. (c) Letters to substantiate purpose of visit. (d) 3 passport-size photos. (e) Letter from place of employment/study.

Working days required: 10.
 

Money

Currency: EURO

Single European currency (Euro): The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including Ireland), although it is currently only used as ‘written money’ (cheques, bank transactions, credit cards, etc). The first Euro coins and notes will be introduced in January 2002; the Irish Punt will still be in circulation until February 9 2002, when it will be completely replaced by the Euro. 1 Euro = IR£0.787564.

Currency exchange: Available in banks, airports and in bureaux de change. Cash dispensers are widely available.

Credit & debit cards: MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa are all widely accepted, as well as Eurocheque cards. Check with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: Accepted throughout Ireland. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1600. In Dublin, banks stay open Thurs until 1700; there are also late opening nights in other parts of the country, but the day will vary.
 

Duty Free

The following goods may be imported by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty if obtained duty- and/or tax-free outside the EU:
200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 1 litre of spirits (more than 22%) or 2 litres of other alcoholic beverages, including sparkling or fortified wine, plus 2 litres of table wine; 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette; goods to the value of IR£32.

Prohibited items: Meat, dairy products and raw vegetables.

Abolition of duty free goods within the EU: On June 30 1999, the sale of duty-free alcohol and tobacco at airports and at sea was abolished in all 15 EU member states. Although there are now no limits imposed on importing tobacco and alcohol products from one EU country to another, travellers should note that they may be required to prove at customs that the goods purchased are for personal use only.
 

Health

Health care: There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK. However, health care in Ireland is not normally free and health insurance is advisable. Local Health Boards arrange consultations with doctors and dentists. Evidence of residence in the UK is required, for example an NHS medical card or a driving licence, to take advantage of the agreement. Visitors should make it clear before treatment that they wish to be treated under the EU’s social security regulations; it may be necessary to complete a simple statement to this effect. Visitors from other EU and EEA member states are entitled to urgent medical treatment without charge, provided that they present form E111, which should be obtained before departure.

Travel - International

AIR: The Republic of Ireland’s national airline is Aer Lingus (EI). Aer Lingus provides a service from Los Angeles to Shannon and Dublin. Delta Air Lines operates a service from New York’s JFK Airport to Shannon and Dublin. Services to London are frequent and moderately priced. There is a wide range of promotional air fares to Ireland from main cities in the UK, and an ever increasing number of airlines connect regional UK airports with Ireland.

APPROXIMATE FLIGHT TIMES: From Dublin to London is 50 minutes; from Dublin to New York is 5 hours.

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS: Dublin Airport (DUB) (web site: http://www.dublin-airport.com) is 8km (5 miles) north of the city. The 41A city bus leaves Abbey Street at regular intervals (travel time – 35 minutes). Airport express coaches and taxis are available to the city centre. Airport facilities include airside duty-free shop, car hire, bank, bureau de change, bar, restaurant, tourist information centre and chemist. Opening hours vary throughout the year.
Shannon Airport (SNN) (web site: http://www.shannonairport.com) is 26km (16 miles) west of Limerick (travel time – 25 minutes). Bus services are available to and from both Limerick and Clare, approximately every hour. A daily express coach travels between Limerick and Shannon and between Galway and Shannon. Taxi service is available to Limerick. Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free shop, bank, bureau de change, bar, restaurant and tourist information centre.
Cork Airport (ORK) (web site: http://www.cork-airport.com) is 8km (5 miles) southwest of the city. Buses travel between the city centre and airport (travel time – 25 minutes). Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free shop, car hire, bar and restaurant. Facilities are open during operational hours.
Knock International Airport (NOC) is 11km (7 miles) north of Claremorris (Co Mayo) and receives international flights from the UK only. Taxi services are available to Claremorris, where onward rail and bus connections are available to the rest of the country. Airport facilities include duty-free shop, bar, restaurant and car hire (pre-booking advised).

SEA: In addition to conventional ferry crossings, many ferry companies now offer high-speed services as well as upgraded, state-of-the-art craft on many Irish sea routes. Fares will vary by season and promotional offers are available. For information on routes, fares and reservations, contact one of the following: Brittany Ferries (tel: (0990) 360 360; web site: http://www.brittany-ferries.com); Irish Ferries (tel: (08705) 171 717 (UK office) or (1) 638 3333 (Dublin office); web site: http://www.irishferries.com); Isle of Man Steam Packet (tel: (01624) 661 661; web site: http://www.steam-packet.com); P&O Irish Sea (tel: (0870) 242 4777; web site: http://www.poirishsea.com); Stena Line (tel: (08705) 707 070; web site: http://www.stenaline.co.uk); and Swansea-Cork Ferries (tel: (01792) 456 116; web site: http://www.swansea-cork.ie). Most ferry companies now also offer an online booking facility on their web site.
Routes from Britain include:

FROM ENGLAND: Liverpool–Dublin (crossing time – 8 hours); Liverpool – Larne (Northern Ireland, seasonal); Fleetwood–Larne (Northern Ireland, crossing time – 8 hours).

FROM THE ISLE OF MAN: Douglas–Dublin (travel time – 2 hours and 45 minutes, summer only).

FROM SCOTLAND: Cairnryan–Larne (Northern Ireland, crossing time – 1 hour on fast ferries and 1 hour and 45 minutes on conventional ferries); Stranraer–Belfast (105 minutes on fast ferries and 3 hours 15 minutes on a conventional ferry); Stranraer–Larne (Northern Ireland; crossing time – 2 hours and 10 minutes on conventional ferries).

FROM WALES: Holyhead (Isle of Anglesey)–Dublin (1 hour and 49 minutes on fast ferries and minimum 3 hours and 15 minutes on conventional ferries); Holyhead (Isle of Anglesey)–Dun Laoghaire (99 minutes on fast ferries); Fishguard–Rosslare (99 minutes on fast ferries and 3 hours and 30 minutes on conventional ferries); Swansea–Cork (seasonal, 10 hours); Pembroke–Rosslare (3 hours 45 minutes).
Routes from continental Europe include:

FROM FRANCE: Irish Ferries operate at least four direct ferry crossings a day between France and Ireland. The routes are Cherbourg–Rosslare (18 hours); Roscoff–Rosslare (16 hours); and Roscoff–Cork (24 hours).

RAIL: Rail links serve Ireland from all the above ferry ports, as well as from Northern Ireland.


Travel - Internal

AIR: Aer Lingus (as well as several other carriers) operates services throughout the country. Charter flights are also available. The Aran Islands are served by Aer Aran via a 15-minute flight from Connemara Regional Airport (located 27km/17 miles west of Galway city).

DOMESTIC AIRPORTS: Galway (GWY) is approximately 8km (5 miles) from the city centre. Bus and taxi services available into Galway centre.
Sligo (SXL) is 8km (5 miles) from Sligo. Essential facilities only. Taxis need prior booking. Bus and taxi services are available into Sligo.
Carrickfinn (CFN) is in Co Donegal.
Kerry (Farranfore) (KIR) in Co Kerry is 19km (12 miles) from both Killarney and Tralee. Taxi services are available to both these towns and to the nearby railway station. Car hire is also available.
As well as the airports listed above (and in Travel – International), there are various small licensed airstrips which receive passenger services; enquire at the Irish Tourist Board for details of operators and routes.

SEA: Ferry services run to the various west coast islands. Enquiries should be made locally.

RAIL: Rail services in the Republic are owned by Iarnród Eireann (Irish Rail) (web site: http://www.irishrail.ie) and express trains run between the main cities. There are two classes of accommodation, with restaurant and buffet cars on some trains. Children under five travel free. Children aged 5-15 pay half fare. A range of rail-only and combined rail and bus tickets is available for unlimited travel within the Republic of Ireland or all Ireland. The Eurorail card system is valid in Ireland.

ROAD: The network links all parts of Ireland; road signs are international. Traffic drives on the left. Bus: Internal bus services are run by Bus Eireann (Irish Bus) (web site: http://www.buseireann.ie) which has a nationwide network of buses serving all the major cities and most towns and villages outside the Dublin area. Bus services in remote areas are infrequent. An ‘Expressway’ coach network complements rail services. The central bus station is in Store Street, Dublin. A variety of special passes are available, including the Irish Rambler , which offers unlimited travel for 3, 8 or 15 days. Several independent bus companies, which are often cheaper, faster and more frequent than Bus Eireann, operate regular, schedules services to an from Dublin; local papers carry advertisements and details of these. Coach tours: Many companies offer completely escorted coach tours, varying in length and itinerary. Full-day and half-day guided tours are organised from the larger towns and cities. These run from May to October. Full details are available from CIE Tours International office. Taxi: Service is available in major cities. Cruising taxis are infrequent. Places to get taxis are at hotels, rail and bus stations or taxi stands. Car hire: Available from all air and sea ports as well as major hotels. All international hire companies are represented in Ireland, as well as local operators. Age requirements vary from a minimum of 21 to a maximum of 75 years. A full licence from the driver’s home country is required, and the driver will normally be required to have had at least two years’ experience. Bicycle hire: Ask for a Tourist Board leaflet. Documentation: EU nationals taking cars into the Republic require: motor registration book (or owner’s authority in writing); full EU driving licence or International Driving Permit; nationality coding stickers; and insurance cover valid for the Republic. A Green Card is strongly recommended, as without it, insurance cover is limited to the minimum legal requirement in Ireland – the Green Card tops this up to the cover provided by the visitor’s domestic policy.

URBAN: Extensive bus services operate in Dublin. There is a new, fast suburban rail service (DART), connecting Howth and Bray, including a link to Dun Laoghaire (the ferry port). The Dublin Explorer ticket is valid for four days on all Dublin buses and DART suburban trains. This ticket may not be used before 0945, but there are no evening restrictions.

JOURNEY TIMES: The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Dublin to other major cities/towns in Ireland.

 

Climate

The temperate climate is due to mild southwesterly winds and the Gulf Stream. Summers are warm, while temperatures during winter are much cooler. Spring and autumn are very mild. Rain falls all year.
 

Country dialling code: 353.