Useful facts for travel to Ireland

April 7, 2009 by Tony Page
Filed under Useful facts

Useful facts to help you plan your visit to Ireland

Festivals
Public Holidays
Visas
Health
Time
Electricity
Weights & Measures
Money, Banks etc.
Useful Telephone Numbers

Festivals

There are a HUGE number of events and festivals, both traditional and modern, in Ireland.

Here’s a link to the Irish Tourist Board Search facility

Bank and Public Holidays in Eire (The Republic of Ireland) 2010

New Year – 1st January
St Patrick’s Day – 17th March
Good Friday – 2nd April
Easter Monday – 5th April
Spring Bank Holiday – First Monday in May (in lieu of May Day)
June Bank Holiday – First Monday in June
Summer Bank Holiday – First Monday in August
October Bank Holiday – Last Monday in October
Christmas Eve – Although this isn’t a public holiday, some shops and businesses will be closed or closed early on this day. Shops tend to be very busy as people carry out last minute shopping
Christmas Day – 27th December (in lieu)
St Stephen’s Day – 28th December (in lieu)

Bank and Public Holidays in Northern Ireland 2010

New Year – 1st January
St Patrick’s Day – 17th March
Good Friday – 2nd April
Easter Monday – 5th April
Spring Bank Holiday – Last Monday in May
Battle of the Boyne – 12th July
Summer Bank Holiday – Last Monday in August
Although Christmas Eve isn’t a public holiday, some shops and businesses will be closed or closed early on this day. Shops tend to be very busy as people carry out last minute shopping
Christmas Day – 25th December
Boxing Day – 26th December

Visas:

For citizens of the EU and most Western countries no visa is required. UK nationals born in Great Britain or Northern Ireland do not require a passport to visit the Republic.

Health risks:

None – unless you include excessive Guinness drinking – no, that’s impossible!

Time:

GMT/UTC

Current Irish time

Dublin

Electricity:

220V, 50Hz, 2-pin (round) plug 2-pin plug (round)

Weights & measures:

Imperial and Metric

Metric Weights and Measures and their equivalents

Clothing and shoe sizes conversion: US, UK, Europe

Euro banknotes

Money:

The Euro (€)

As of January 1, 2002, the euro (€) replaced the national currency of 12 countries within the European Union, including Ireland. You can exchange currency at any bank branch (hours are listed below). Automatic cash machines can be found in most commercial centres.Note: as Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, the pound sterling (£) is in use and denominations are similar to that of the euro.
Bank Opening Hours Most banks in Ireland are open from Monday to Friday from 10.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 1.30 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. One day a week there’s usually extended opening until 5.00 p.m., often Thursdays, although it varies.In Northern Ireland the opening hours are 10.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Monday to Friday. In some places, the banks close for lunch 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m.In both areas of Ireland, banking in small villages can be a hit and miss affair, only on two or three days per week. So the golden rule is: get your cash in the larger centres! ATMs have become more widely available and some post offices can also provide limited cash services.

Check out the current Euro exchange rate with your currency here (close the new window to return): TRAVEL SIGNPOSTS CURRENCY CONVERTER

telephone