Practical and Essential Information About Ireland

Capital City: Dublin

Provinces and Counties: There are four provinces in Ireland – Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster. There was once a fifth province called Meath, but it was incorporated into Leinster and Ulster. These provinces contain 32 traditional counties, six of which are located in Northern Ireland.

• Connacht: Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, and Sligo.
• Leinster: Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow.
• Munster: Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, and Waterford.
• Ulster: Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan are located in the Republic of Ireland, while Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry (“Londonderry” is generally preferred by unionists and “Derry” by nationalists), and Tyrone are Northern Ireland.

Population: Over 4.5 million

Language: English. Irish is the official language but it is only spoken in the Gaeltacht communities along the west coast.

Currency: Euro (€)

Time Zone: GMT+1 (GMT+1 March to October)

Country Code: +353

International Access Code: 00

Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance): In Ireland both phone numbers 999 and 112 exist equally and run in parallel. Regardless of which number you call in Ireland, it will be handled in the same manner by emergency services.

Police Services: In Ireland, the Police services are referred to as the Gardai or “the guards”. An individual officer is called a garda (plural gardaí), or, informally, a “guard”. A police station is called a Garda station. The Gardai are mostly unarmed, except for the specially trained units.

Voltage: 230V/50hz

Visas Requirements: Most citizens of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada are visa exempt. All countries not on the visa exempt or the Irish Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme list need a full passport as well as a short stay ‘C’ visa in order to visit Ireland. This short visit visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days.

Embassies and Consulates in Ireland: For a full list of the foreign embassies and consulates in Ireland, refer to Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs website.

Refugee Support in Ireland: Refugee’s can access support and advice through the Irish Refugee Council and Refugee Legal Services through the Legal Aid Board.

Vaccinations: There are no required vaccinations for travelling to Ireland. Learn more about Ireland’s health care system.

Seasons: The traditional Irish seasons are:

• Spring: February to April
• Summer: May to July
• Autumn: August to October
• Winter: November to January

However, Met Éireann, Ireland’s Met Office, has the seasons occurring one month later than these traditional seasons.

Weather: Ireland’s weather is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and consequently does not experience the extreme temperatures that other countries at similar latitudes. Irish weather is unpredictable and changeable, however, it never usually gets too extreme. The warm ocean current called the North Atlantic Drift keeps sea temperatures relatively mild and the coastal hills and mountains protect the island from strong winds coming off the ocean.

The temperature in Ireland is measured in Celsius (0°C is equal to 32°F, use an online converter to assist you). Spring temperatures range from about 4 to 20°C; summer 8 to 26°C; autumn 9 to 25°C; and winter 4 to 14°C.

Measurements: Ireland uses the metric system. This means that liquids are measured in millilitres and litres, weight is measured in grams and kilograms, and distance and road speed signs are displayed in kilometres. Since 2005 all new cars sold in Ireland have speedometers that display only kilometres per hour. However, people still like to measure themselves in stones, and bars still use “pint of beer”.

Driving: Ireland drive on the left hand side of the road. Learn more about driving around in Ireland.

Public Transport: Learn more about getting around on Ireland’s public transport system.

Postcodes: Ireland rolled out postcodes in 2015. To find a post code visit Eircodes.

Holidays: Ireland has nine public holidays. Learn more about Ireland’s public and school holidays. Employees generally receive four weeks of annual holidays per year.

Tipping: There is generally no tipping culture in Ireland.

Value Added Tax: Value Added Tax is charged at different rates for various goods and services. You can get an extensive list of VAT ratings from Ireland’s Revenue Commissioners.

• 23% is the standard rate of VAT on all goods and services (unless a reduced rate applies as below).
• 13.5% is a reduced rate of VAT for items including fuel (coal, heating oil, gas), electricity, veterinary fees, building and building services, agricultural, contracting services, short-term car hire, cleaning and maintenance services.
• 13.5% is the reduced rate of VAT for tourism-related activities including restaurants, hotels, cinemas, hairdressing and newspapers.
• 4.8% is a reduced rate of VAT specifically for agriculture.
• 0% VAT rating includes exports, tea, coffee, milk, bread, books, children’s clothes and shoes, oral medicine for humans and animals, vegetable seeds and fruit trees, fertilisers, large animal feed, disability aids such as wheelchairs, crutches and hearing aids.

If you are visiting Ireland, find out how you can save money by reclaiming your VAT.

Income Taxes: Find out more about Ireland’s income tax laws.

LGBT: Ireland is a pretty tolerant place for gays and lesbians. Bigger cities such as Dublin, Galway and Cork have well-established gay scenes. In 2015, Ireland overwhelmingly backed same-sex marriage in a historic referendum. However, you’ll still find pockets of homophobia throughout the island, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas.

Resources:

• Gaire Message board and info for a host of gay-related issues.
• LGBT Ireland provides support, information (including social), and advice.

Disability: All new buildings have wheelchair access and many hotels have installed lifts, ramps and other facilities. However, there are many old buildings in Ireland and many of these are not easily accessible to people with a disability. Fáilte Ireland and NITB’s accommodation guides indicate which places are wheelchair accessible.

In big cities, most buses have low-floor access and priority space on board and these are becoming more available on regional routes. Trains are accessible with help. In theory, if you call ahead, an employee of Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) will arrange to accompany you to the train. Newer trains have audio and visual information systems for visually impaired and hearing-impaired passengers.

Resources:

• Ireland’s Citizen Information
• Legless in Dublin is a great resource for those using wheelchairs and living/visiting Dublin.

Vegan, Vegetarian, Coeliac & Gluten Intolerant: It is becoming much more common place for restaurants in Ireland to provide food options for the various dietary requirements. However, Ireland’s love of meat can make it difficult for vegetarians and vegans. The Vegan Éire and The Vegetarian Society of Ireland provide useful information about where to shop and eat whilst living in Ireland.

Although the Irish have a high incidence of coeliac disease, there is a general lack of understanding of the dietary needs. The Coeliac Society of Ireland provides information and support for people living in Ireland who eat gluten free. They also contain a list of gluten free products available at the supermarkets in Ireland.

Drinking Laws: In an attempt to curb alcohol problems, Ireland has a number of strict alcohol laws in place.

• The legal age to buy alcohol in Ireland is 18 years of age. You must be able to prove your age using a passport, National Identity Card, Garda Síochána Age Card (Age Card issued by Irish Police), or drivers licence.
• Since August 2003 it is illegal in Ireland to sell alcohol at reduced prices for a limited period during any day (in other words, ‘happy hour’ is prohibited).
• Pub closing time midweek is 11.30pm with a half hour drinking up time. Friday and Saturday nights is 12.30am with a half hour drinking up time.
• Most nightclubs that have a full bar will serve drinks until about 2.30am.
• Off-licence sale of alcohol is only permitted between the hours of 10.30am and 10.00pm on weekdays and 12.30pm to 10.00pm on Sundays or St Patrick’s Day. Sales are not permitted on Christmas Day.
• It is an offence for you to be drunk in a public place, however this is largely overlooked if you behave yourself.