Ireland Basics |
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Electricity: Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. UK-style three-pin and round three-pin plugs are in use.
Money: The unit of currency is the Euro (EUR). Currency can be exchanged at banks and bureaux de change and ATMs are widely available. Credit and debit cards, as well as travellers cheques, are widely accepted.
Currency Exchange Rates |
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| €1.00 = | US$ 1.57 | £ 0.79 | C$ 1.60 | A$ 1.63 | R 12.23 | € 1.00 | NZ$ 2.07 |
Language: English, Irish (Gaelic) is spoken in some Western areas.
Entry requirements for Americans: United States nationals require a passport valid for the period of intended stay, but no visa is needed for stays of up to three months.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British citizens travelling from Great Britain to Ireland only require proof of nationality. Otherwise British travellers coming from another country require a passport. No visa is required if the passport is endorsed British Citizen, British National (Overseas) or British Overseas Territories Citizen. In all other cases, a visa is required.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian nationals require a passport valid for the period of intended stay, but no visa is needed for stays of up to three months.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australians require a passport valid for the period of intended stay, but no visa is needed for visits of up to three months.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South African nationals must hold a passport valid for the period of intended stay, but no visa is needed for visits of up to three months.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealanders require a passport valid for the period of intended stay. No visa is needed for a visit of up to three months.
Passport/Visa Note: Passports should be valid for the period of stay (except for EEA member states, including Switzerland). It is recommended that all nationals, other than those from the EU, hold a return or onward ticket, and must have sufficient funds to cover intended period of stay.
Health: There are no special health requirements for visitors to Ireland. Health insurance is advisable unless from the UK or other EU countries, most of which have reciprocal agreements with Ireland. A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) should be obtained before departing for travel to Ireland. Medical facilities are good, and payment for treatment is usually required in cash.
Tipping: A 10% tip will be welcomed in restaurants and cafes, but tipping is not usual in bars and pubs. Tipping is not common for other services.
Safety: Most visitors enjoy a fairly high level of personal safety however travellers should take sensible precautions against petty theft. Terrorism is no more a threat than in other Western countries.
Customs: Smoking in pubs, cafes and restaurants, is illegal.
Business: The Irish are very sociable and although the usual elements of business etiquette apply (punctuality, formal wear, a courteous manner), expect good conversation and a rather relaxed air. Handshakes are customary on introduction, and take the lead from the host with regards to using first names or surnames. Business hours are usually from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, with a lunch break from 1pm to 2pm.
Communications: The international access code for Ireland is +353 (do not dial the first zero of the area code). The outgoing code is 00, or 048 for Northern Ireland, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g. 1 for Dublin. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main tourist areas.
Duty Free: Travellers over 17 years arriving from non-EU countries do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g tobacco, or a proportional mix of these; 1 litre spirits with more than 22% alcohol volume, or 2 litres dessert wine with a maximum 22% alcohol content, or a proportional mix of these products, and 2 litres table wine; perfume up to 50g or 250ml eau de toilette; and other goods for personal consumption to the value of €175 per adult or €90 for children under 15 years. Prohibited items include meat or dairy products or raw vegetables.