Climate
Dublin’s climate is mild and changeable winter temperatures average 4-7 degrees celsius (39-44 degrees fahrenheit) and in summer between 16-20 degrees celsius (60-67 degrees fahrenheit). There are about 18 hours of daylight daily during July and August, only getting truly dark after 22:30. August is normally quiet pleasant but delegates are advised to bring an umbrella! For up to date weather information visit www.met.ie
Language
English is the spoken language throughout Ireland. Irish (or Gaelic) is the original native language of Ireland and enjoys constitutional status as the National and 1st official language of the Republic of Ireland and it is an official language of the EU. Place names and signage are usually in both languages.
Voltage, Sockets and Plugs
220 volts, sockets and three-pin square, are conforming to Irish and British standard. An adapter may be required for electrical devices.
Currency and Credit Cards
The Republic of Ireland's official currency is the Euro, the common European currency. while the currency of Northern Ireland is the UK pound Sterling (GBP). However most large stores in the North accept Euro as well.
Major Credit Cards - particularly Visa, MasterCard, and American Express - are widely accepted throughout Ireland. Visitors using other credit cards should ask in advance if it will be accepted.
Ireland is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and, in accordance with daylight saving, clocks are put forward one hour mid-March and back one hour at the end of October.
During summer it stays light until as late as 11pm but by mid-December it can be dark by 4pm.
Insurance
Delegates are advised to arrange travel insurance before leaving their home country.
Business Hours
Banks open from 10:00-16:00 from Monday to Friday with the exception of Thursdays where most banks stay open until 17:00
Post Offices are generally open from 09:30 to 18:00, Mon - Fri and from 09:30 to 13:00 on Saturday. The GPO, location on O'Connell St in Dublin is open from 08:00 to 20:00 Monday to Saturday.
Bars open from 10.30am to 23.30 between Monday and Thursday. On Friday and Saturday evenings, last orders are at 00:30. On Sundays, closing time is 23:30. The majority of nightclubs serve alcohol until 01:30, and close at 02.30. There are some exceptions to this, mainly in Dublin city.
Shopping
Opening hours are normally from 09:00 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday with late night shopping on a Thursday evening until 21:00. Most shops are open on Sundays from 12:00 – 18:00.
There are a number of local convenience stores that open from 8-11, some even later.
Telecommunications
Only digital phones with GSM subscriptions and a roaming agreement will work on the island of Ireland. Visitors should consult with their supplier before departure.
Tipping
Tipping is accepted in Ireland, and is normally at the discretion of the visitor. The most likely places that one may tip are in hairdressers, taxis, restaurants and in Irish hotels. 10-15% is suggested.
Below are some general guidelines on tipping in Restaurants
• "A Service Charge of x % will apply" - this means what it says, your final bill will be subject to an additional charge; no further tips are necessary.
• "Service included" - this means that the prices are a flat rate, no tips are required and the prices are final.
• If none of these apply personnel will usually expect a tip of around ten to fifteen percent.
Annual Public Holidays
New Year’s Day - January 1
St Patrick’s Day - March 17
Easter Monday (Monday following Easter Sunday)
May Holiday (first Monday in May)
June Holiday (first Monday in June)
August Holiday (first Monday in August)
October Holiday (last Monday in October)
Christmas Day - December 25
St Stephen’s Day - December 26
Good Friday, although not a public holiday, is observed as such for many businesses in Dublin. Pubs are closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day throughout Dublin.
Visa Requirements
EU Citizens and Citizenes of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are simply required to show a passport, valid for at least 6 months. All non-EU citizens should contact their local embassies for specific requirements. For a list of Irish Embassies visit http://www.dfa.ie/uploads/documents/Protocol/25%20february%202009b_layout%201.pdf
Further information can also be found on the following website: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/moving-country/moving-to-ireland/coming-to-live-in-ireland/visa-requirements-for-entering-ireland
Delegates should also be aware that Visa's may be required for transient travel to Ireland, for example through the UK or mainland Europe, please ensure you enquire with the relevant Embassy for that country regarding these requirements once you have confirmed your travel details.
Emergency Phone Numbers
The emergency phone numbers in Ireland are 999 or 112.
Smoking Ban
The Republic of Ireland has introduced a blanket ban on smoking in all places of work to protect public health and reduce the incidences of smoking-related illness. Smoking is prohibited in public areas within the Republic of Ireland – this includes all bars, nightclubs and restaurants.
Although hotel bedrooms may be exempt from the ban, it is applied to all other areas within hotels.
Available to visitors at the end of their trip (exception EU residents). Price of most goods includes Value Added Tax (VAT). Ask for a tax-free shopping form with each purchase and present these forms to either Global Tax Free Shopping or Tax Back at the airport prior to your departure to avail of tax refund. Allow a little extra time for this.
From July 1st, 2007 the VAT element of accommodation expenses incurred when attending a business conference in Ireland can now be claimed back by Taxable Businesses. For further details please visit
Visitors to Ireland from the United Kingdom and other EU countries are not required to make a declaration to customs at their place of entry. However, certain goods are prohibited or restricted to protect health and the environment; restricted goods include meat and poultry.
Customs operate green and red channels at most ports and airports. If you need to declare goods over the duty and tax-free allowances for non-EU visitors you must use the red channel. Pass through the green channel if you have nothing to declare.
For goods obtained within the EU
For full details regarding travellers arriving into Ireland from member states of the European Community please visit the following website: http://www.revenue.ie/en/customs/leaflets/pn1878.html
For goods obtained outside the EU
For full details regarding travellers arriving into Ireland from Countries outside the European Community please visit the following website: http://www.revenue.ie/en/customs/leaflets/pn1878a.html
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