Foreign
Exchange Facilities
AIB Bank, Main Street, Gorey, (055) 21478
An Post, The Avenue, Gorey, (055) 21381
Bank of Ireland, Main Street, Gorey, (055) 21392
Irish Permanent, Main Street, Gorey, (055) 22266
Ulster Bank, Main Street, Gorey, (055) 20875
Pettitts Supermarket, Main Street, Gorey, (055) 21722
Webbs Newsagent, Main Street, Gorey, (055) 21119
A.T.M. Machines
Banklink, AIB Bank, (055) 21478
Cashere, Irish Permanent, (055) 22266
Pass, Bank of Ireland, (055) 21392
Servicetill, Ulster Bank, (055) 20875
Banklink, Tesco Supermarket (055) 21111
Lotto Agents
An Post, The Avenue, Gorey, (055) 21381
Gerrys Newsagent, Main Street, Gorey, (055) 21769
Pettitts Supermarket, Main Street, Gorey, (055) 21722
Tesco, Millands, Gorey (055) 21111
Webbs Newsagent, Main Street, Gorey, (055) 21119
Embassies of E.U. Member States
Austria, 5 Ailesbury Court, Dublin, (01) 2694577
Belgium, Shrewsbury Road, Dublin 4, (01) 2692082
Britain, 31 Merrion Road, Dublin 4, (01) 2695211
Denmark, 121 St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2 (01) 4756404
Finland, St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, (01) 781344
France, 36 Ailesbury Road, Dublin 4, (01) 2694777
Germany, 31 Trimleston Ave,Booterstown (01) 2693011
Greece, 1 Upr Pembrooke St. Dublin 2, (01) 6767254
Italy, 63 Northumberland Road, Dublin 4, (01) 6601744
Netherlands, 160 Merrion Road, Dublin 4, (01) 2693444
Norway, 69 St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2 (01) 6621800
Portugal, Knocksinna Hse, Foxrock, Dublin 18 (01) 2894416
Spain, 17a Merlyn Park, Dublin 4, (01)2691640
Sweden, Dawson Street, Dublin 2, (01)6715822
|
General
Information about Ireland
|
Maps
Maps are generally available in newsagents and petrol station
shops, booksellers, Tourist Information Offices. The maps are
produced by the Ordinance Survey of Ireland and the Ordinance
Survey of Northern Ireland, many being jointly produced. There
is a regional "Discovery Series" of about 40 maps which
have good coverage of the west and southeast and cost about €7.25
Various road maps are available from about €4 upwards. The
Ordinance Survey also has an excellent map of Dublin and roadmap
of the island with a hard-wearing cover at a cost of about €7
Banks
Generally, in the Republic of Ireland the banking hours of
business are Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 13.30
to 15.30 hours. Some branches open during lunchtime and most open
late one day a week (Thursday in Dublin). The TSB works through
lunch and has later closing times: 16.00 and 19.00 on Thursdays.
In Northern Ireland, banks in main towns are open 9.3Oam-4.3Opm
Mon-Fri. Elsewhere, some may close from 12.30-1.30pm. In small
villages, the bank may not open every day, so get cash in bigger
centres. Building society banks are open longer (and, often, on
Saturday).
Money
The Euro is the currency in the Republic of Ireland and Sterling
in Northern Ireland. Both have 100 denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10,
20, and 50.
Notes
are issued in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100. Some areas
near the border can operate on a dual currency basis. In Northern
Ireland it is very common for the banks to issue their own notes
which some people may not accept in the UK due to unfamiliarity.
For more details on the check out www.euro.ie
Foreign
Exchange
Foreign exchange bureaus are available in most banks, post
offices, Tourist Information Offices, airports, some shops and
accommodation. Bureau de Change kiosks are also situated in many
towns and most cities. If in doubt, secure enough local currency
before travelling out of urban areas.
Tipping
Hotels and restaurants often add 10-15% to the bill especially
for large parties. This is not mandatory in the Republic of Ireland
but is normal and of course, tipping always appreciated. Tipping
in pubs is unusual except for table service.
Credit
Cards
Visa, MasterCard and Eurocard are accepted practically everywhere
in service and retail outlets. Diners Club and American Express
cards are also accepted by many outlets. Maestro and EDC (European
Debit Card) are accepted in most places which accept Visa and
MasterCard. Most credit cards can be used in ATMs, especially
the Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Bank ATMs, except for American
Express which can be used at Cashere machines. Eurocheques have
a limit of £140 punts in the Republic of Ireland and £100
pounds sterling in Northern Ireland.
In
the event of your card being lost or stolen you should call one
of the following numbers which applies to you.
| Card
Type |
Republic
of Ireland
|
Northern Ireland
|
| American
Express |
1-800
709 907
|
01273-696933
|
| Eurocard/MasterCard |
1-800
557 378
|
0800-964767
|
| Visa
|
1-800
558 002
|
0800-895082
|
| Diners
Club |
1-800
709 944
|
0800-460800
|
Calls
to 1-800 numbers are free within the Republic of Ireland.
Calls to 0800 numbers are free within Northern Ireland.
Exchange
Controls
There are no exchange controls in Ireland. Any sums of money
in any currency can be freely brought into or taken out of the
country without disclosure or other formalities.
Using
the Phone
Ireland offers a extensive modern digital telephone service.
Public telephones have two systems, cash and callcard. Phones
in the Republic take one or the other but not usually both whereas
in the North they can take both. Some additional phones can take
credit cards. Callcards can be purchased in many shops, all post
offices and phone centres.
In the Republic of Ireland for operator assistance for numbers
within the Republic dial 1190, for numbers within Britain and
Northern Ireland it is 1197 and for other international calls,
collect calls, booking calls and other enquiries, it is 114.
In
Northern Ireland operator assistance for numbers within Britain
is available by dialling 100 and 155 for international calls.
Directory enquiries can be reached at 192 and 153 for international
enquiries.
The
tones used Ireland are a continuous high pitched tone as a dial
tone, a repeated double beat tone--burr-burr for the ringing tone
and a high pitched, broken tone beep-beep-beep for the engaged
tone.
Language/Accents
The main languages are English and Irish and most signposts
in the Republic are bilingual. English is spoken by everyone while
Irish is generally confined to pockets of the southwest, west
and northwestern coastal areas, but it can sometimes be heard
anywhere.
Public
Holidays
Public Holidays in the Republic of Ireland 2005 are:
1 Jan, 17 March, 2 April, 5 April, 3 May, 7 June, 2 August, 25
October, 25, 26, 27 and 28 December
Public
Holidays in Northern Ireland 1999 are:
1 Jan, 17 March, 2 April, 5 April, 3 May, 31 May, 12 July, 30
August, 25, 26, 27 and 28 December
Stamps
Stamps are not interchangeable between the Republic of Ireland
and Northern Ireland. An Post handles mail in the Republic of
Ireland. Costs are 30p to the EU, 45p elsewhere for letters up
to 25g and less than C5 (half A4).
Royal Mail handles post in Northern Ireland. The first class mail
cost for items under 60g is 26p and 20p for second class for EU
destinations. The Airmail postage for postcards is 26p to EU destinations,
31p to the rest of Europe and 37p to all other destinations. For
other prices, consult your local post office.
Emergency
Services Telephone Numbers
Should you need the emergency services (Fire, Police, Ambulance
or Sea/Air/Mountain/Cave Rescue), they can be contacted free by
dialling 999 or 112 (in the Republic of Ireland). On answer, state
which service you require, wait to be patched through to that
service, then clearly state the location of where the assistance
is required.
Pre-Travel
Checks
Tickets, Cash, Passport and Toothbrush!
Duty
Free
International flights only.
VAT/Sales
Tax Refunds
Visitors returning to non-EU countries can claim back VAT
on purchases being brought home. This is refunded to your credit
card account or into a currency of your choice at the airport
on leaving. Ask when purchasing goods in shops for a tax-free
shopping form with each purchase.
Electricity
The Republic of Ireland operates at 220V at 50Hz and 230/240V
50Hz in Northern Ireland. The electricity supplied is AC and plugs
generally conform to BS1363 for 3-pin plugs except for shaving
sockets which support most common international variants and are
two-pin.
Units
(Metric/Imperial)
The Metric system applies across most of Europe and Ireland.
The most notable exception is the "hallowed" pint. Some
local traders still measure by the pound and ounce by default.
Police
In the Republic of Ireland the law enforcement entity is
called the Garda Síochana, with both male and female officers
known as Gardaí, Garda singular. Northern Ireland's police
force is called the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).
Getting
Newspapers from home
Most national UK and national Irish papers are widely available.
A few shops (Eason's in particular) have selection of imported
continental newspapers.
Travel
Tax
There is travel tax charged usually when purchasing a ticket
to the Republic. It only applies to air and sea travel.
The
Law and Age limits
The legal age limit for the consumption of alcohol is 18 years.
Disabled
Visitors
Many accommodations and tourist attractions have upgraded
their facilities for the disabled. For more detailed information
contact:
In the Republic of Ireland:
Access
Department
The National Rehabilitation Board,
25 Clyde Road,
Dublin 4
Tel: ++353 1 668 4181 Fax: ++353 1 668 5029
or
in Northern Ireland:
Disability Action,
2 Annadale Avenue,
Belfast, BT7 3JH
Tel No. ++44(0)1232 491011. Fax ++44(0)1232 491627.
Weather
The climate in Ireland is mild and temperate. The average
temperatures range from about 4°C in the winter and 16°C
- 23°C in summer. Be sure to take some rain protection especially
during winter and when travelling in the West or mountains at
any time.
Sunrise/Sunset
Times
In mid-winter the sunrise times are about 8.00am and sunset
times about 16.00pm. During mid-summer, sunrise is at about 5.00am
and sunset at about 21.45pm.
Winter/Summer
Times
From the last week of March to the last week of October Ireland
is on GMT.
From the last week of October to the last week of March Ireland
is on GMT + 1 hour
Passports
and Visas
You need a valid passport to enter any European country.
Visas are not required for everyone depending on the length and
purpose of your visit. More visa information is available from
the Irish Dept of Foreign Affairs.
Customs
Various allowances apply for EU and non-EU residents, and
for duty free goods. These are outlined at points of entry and
exit. The importation of certain foodstuffs is also prohibited.
Health
You should check that your health insurance coverage is adequate,
especially if coming from North America. EU citizens are entitled
to free public hospital treatment but should obtain an E111 form
prior to departure. Health certificates are typically only necessary
if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is present.
Some countries will require you to announce yourself to officials
on arrival if you have been in contact with farm animals prior
to arrival.
Pets
Restrictions and quarantines apply to the import of pets
from all countries other than the UK. Check the Dept of Agriculture's
information sheet for more.
Smoking
Smoking is completely prohibited in:
Art galleries, museums and libraries
Cinemas, theaters and concert halls
Suburban railway services, railway and bus station waiting rooms
Indoor sports centres, games areas in bowling alleys, bingo halls
and bridge centres
Public areas in banks and other financial institutions
Food preparation areas in hotels, restaurants, cafés, pubs,
delicatessens
Public offices, meeting rooms, corridors in all buildings owned
or occupied by the State
Supermarkets, grocery stores and butchers premises
Schools, University colleges, pre-schools, crèches, day
nurseries, play groups, etc.
Hospitals, nursing homes and other care facilities
Doctors and dentists waiting rooms and pharmacies
Hairdressers
Taxis
Restrictions on Smoking
No smoking zones must be provided in the following facilities:
66% of the seating area on Inter-city railway trains, aircraft,
passenger ferries, airports and ferryports must be reserved for
non-smokers
50% of the seating area in restaurants, canteens, cafés
and snack bars must be reserved for non-smokers. top
