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Ireland, Republic of

General Information

Capital City:
Dublin
Population:
4.47 million
Area:
27,136 square miles
Language:
English, Irish
Electricity:
220V AC 50Hz
Direct Dial:
353
Driving:
Driving is on the left. European licence i.e Pink UK licence or International Driving Permit required
Currency:
Euro (EUR 1 = 100 Cents)

Business Hours

Bank:
1000-1600 Mon-Fri
Office:
0900-1700 Mon-Fri
Shops:
0900-1730 Mon-Sat (larger stores & shopping centres open late Thur-Fri evenings & 1400-1800 Sun)
Public Holidays:
<b>2012</b> 01 Jan : New Year's Day 17 Mar : St Patrick's Day 09 Apr : Easter Monday 07 May : Bank Holiday 04 June : Bank Holiday 06 Aug : Bank Holiday 29 Oct : Bank Holiday 25 Dec : Christmas Day 26 Dec : Boxing Day

Business and social hints

General:
Business is conducted in English, many executives speak a second language. Smoking is banned in all public places. On social occasions, punctuality is appreciated. Dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 18 years
Tipping:
Not necessary when a service charge has been added to the bill. Discretionary tips in restaurants & for taxis around 10%
Clothing:
Light or mediumweights for summer with warmer mediumweights for winter. Rainwear recommended throughout the year
Emergency Services:
Police, Fire & Ambulance: 999 or 112
Hotel Classification:
Failte Ireland, the tourism authority in Ireland, has subcontracted the official registration, assessment and classification of accommodation to a third-party contractor but retains ultimate responsibility for ensuring standards meet visitor and tour-operator needs. In order to use the titles "hotel", "aparthotel", "apartments" etc, which are all registered words in Ireland, establishments must register with Failte Ireland. However it is not obligatory for establishments to be classified. Those properties which do choose to be classified are graded using the standard 1-star up to 5-star system. Guesthouses are classified from 1-star up to 4-star. Those hotels which choose to remain unclassified, for whatever reason, are officially graded as "U" for "unclassified" and are shown here as having no classification.

Climate

A temperate, changeable climate with mild summers and cool winters with rainfall evenly spread throughout the year. The west tends to be the wettest area, with the east and south enjoying the most sunshine. Due to the influence of the Gulf Stream, winters tend to be reasonably mild with little snow Temperate climate generally cool to mild with frequent cloud and rain throughout the year, but also spells of settled, fine weather. Summers can be quite warm. The south tends to be warmer and drier than the north, and the west wetter than the east. Most rain (snow in winter) is in the higher regions of Scotland, Wales and Northern England

Dublin

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum Temperature °C 8 8 10 13 15 18 20 19 17 14 10 8
Minimum Temperature °C 1 2 3 4 6 9 11 11 9 6 4 3
Average Humidity (mornings) % 88 86 82 76 75 76 78 80 83 85 88 88
Average Humidity (afternoons) % 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Average Rainfall 67 55 51 45 60 57 70 74 72 70 67 74

Customs

Import Allowances:
For persons of 17 years of age or older: 1) Travellers entering from non-EU countries (including Canary Islands, Channel Islands & Gibraltar): a) 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250gr of tobacco b) 1 lit of spirits of more than 22� proof or 2 lit of up to 22� proof c) 2 lit of still wines d) 50gr of perfume & 250mls of eau de toilette e) Other goods to the value of EUR 175 (EUR 90 for travellers under 15 years) 2) Travellers entering from EU countries (goods obtained duty & tax paid - guidance levels): a) 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars & 1 kg of tobacco, b) 10 lit of spirits of more than 22� proof c) 20 lit of fortified wine up to 22� proof d) 90 lit of wine (of which, a max of 60 lit of sparkling wine) & 110 lit of beer
Contraband:
Any meat or poultry products, milk products or raw vegetables, Firearms and ammunition

Health

Participant of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC scheme) which allows visitors on short-term stays to other member countries to use the public health care sector for free or reduced-cost medical treatment and emergency care. EHIC replaces the E111 form. <b>Please note:</b> The EHIC scheme is not an alternative to travel insurance. It will <b>not</b> cover any private medical healthcare or the cost of things such as mountain rescue in ski resorts repatriation to the UK lost or stolen property etc. For full details on eligibility and how to apply for a card visit www.nhs.uk or click<a href="https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do"> here</a>

Compulsary Vaccinations
None.
Recommended Immunisations
None.
Risks
None. <b>GENERAL INFO FOR ALL TRAVELLERS:</b> Details listed can occasionally change at very short notice and it's recommended that all travellers seek advice from their Practice Nurse, GP or Travel Clinic when planning a visit to the Republic of Ireland. It should be noted that some vaccinations and treatments may require one or more visits and should be planned well in advance of travel. Primary courses and boosters should always be up to date as recommended for life in the UK. This should include vaccines given to special groups due to complications or risk exposure such as Hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly etc.

Immigration and Passport

Passports and passport replacing documents must be valid for the period of intended stay. Exempt: a) Passports and passport replacing documents issued to nationals of Ireland (Rep of) must be valid on arrival. b) Passports issued to nationals of EEA Member States and Switzerland must be valid on arrival. c) Expired British passports endorsed "British Dependent Territories Citizen" issued in Hong Kong are accepted. d) Those residing in Ireland (Rep of) may enter with travel documents valid on arrival.

The following DO NOT require a visa: 1) Nationals of Ireland. 2) For an unrestricted length of stay by: a) Nationals of: Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, Dominica, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR China passport), Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Korea (South), Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao (SAR China passport) Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uruguay, USA, Vanuatu, Vatican City & Venezuela. b) Holders of British passports endorsed "British Citizen" or "British National (Overseas)" or "British Overseas Territories Citizen". c) Holders of Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) passports.

Entry requirements may change from time to time and should be checked with the Irish Embassy or Consulate.

Useful Contacts

Embassy

Embassy of Ireland Passport & Visa Office Montpelier House, 106 Brompton Road London, SW3 1JJ tel: +44 20 7225 7700 fax: +44 20 7225 7777/8 hours: Passport Office Monday-Friday 09.30-16.30; Visa Office Monday-Friday 10.00-12.00

Airports

  • Cork International
  • Donegal
  • Dublin
  • Shannon
  • Aberdeen
  • Barra
  • Belfast City George Best
  • Belfast International
  • Benbecula
  • Birmingham International
  • Blackpool International Airport
  • Bournemouth
  • Bristol International
  • Campbeltown
  • Cardiff International Airport
  • City of Derry
  • Coventry
  • Doncaster Sheffield Robin Hood
  • Dundee
  • Durham Tees Valley Airport
  • East Midlands
  • Edinburgh
  • Exeter International
  • Glasgow International
  • Glasgow Prestwick
  • Guernsey
  • Humberside International
  • Inverness
  • Islay
  • Isle of Man
  • Jersey
  • Kent International Airport
  • Kirkwall
  • Leeds Bradford International
  • Liverpool John Lennon
  • London City
  • London Gatwick
  • London Heathrow
  • London Luton
  • London Stansted
  • Manchester
  • Newcastle International
  • Newquay Cornwall Airport
  • Norwich International
  • Plymouth City
  • Sheffield City
  • Southampton International
  • Southend
  • Stornoway
  • Sumburgh
  • Tiree
  • Wick

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