General Information

Capital: Dublin
Time: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Saturday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
Tel. Code: 353 followed by the area code, omitting the initial zero. Outgoing international code: 00.
Official 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. Official documents are printed in both languages
Currency: The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including Ireland). The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002; the Irish Punt was completely replaced by the Euro on 9 February 2002. Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs are in use.
Religion: Roman Catholic 77 per cent, the remainder being Protestant, with Jewish and Islamic minorities.

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.
Required clothing: : Lightweights during summer with warmer medium weights for the winter. Rainwear is advisable throughout the year.

Airports

Dublin Airport (DUB) is 10km (6 miles) north of the city.
Shannon Airport (SNN) is 24km (15 miles) west of Limerick (travel time - 25 minutes).
Cork Airport (ORK) is 8km (5 miles) southwest of the city.
Knock International Airport (NOC) is 11km (7 miles) north of Claremorris (Co Mayo) and receives international flights from the UK only: Ryanair from London, Stansted, mytravellite from Birmingham and British Airways from Manchester.
Departure tax: None.

Travel Times:

The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Dublin to other major cities/towns in Ireland

• City

• Air

• Rail

• Road

• Florence

• 0.45

• 2.30

• 2.30

• Milan

• 0.65

• 6.00

• 6.00

• Venice

• 0.65

• 6.30

• 6.00

• Naples

• 0.45

• 2.30

• 2.00

• Palermo

• 0.60

• 14.30

• 10.00

• Cagliari

• 0.55

• -

• -

Passport/Visa

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

Note: Whilst UK citizens do not require a passport or visa to enter Ireland, most carriers by air or sea now require some form of identification with photograph, usually a passport or driving license with photo. Visitors are advised to check what form of ID is required with the individual airline, ferry company or travel agent before travelling.

VISAS:
Required by all except the following for stays of up to 90 days:

• Nationals of countries referred to in the chart above;

• Nationals of Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, British Dependent Territories*, Brunei, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominica, El Salvador, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Korea (Rep), Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Macau (SAR), Malawi, Malaysia, The Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela and Western Samoa;

• Transit passengers continuing their journey within 24 hours by the same or first connecting flight provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. However, the following nationals do always require a transit visa: Afghanistan, Albania, Bulgaria, Cuba, Congo (Dem Rep), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Moldova, Nigeria, Romania, Serbia & Montenegro, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.