Ireland Travel Tips

Social Conventions
The Irish are gregarious people, and everywhere animated craic (talk) can be heard. Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills (better known as Oscar Wilde) once claimed: ‘We are the greatest talkers since the Greeks.’ Close community contact is very much part of the Irish way of life and almost everywhere there is an intimate small-town atmosphere. Pubs are often the heart of a community’s social life. Visitors will find the people very friendly and welcoming no matter where one finds oneself in the country. A meal in an Irish home is usually a substantial affair and guests will eat well. Dinner is the main meal of the day and is now eaten in the evening. Even in cities there is less formal wear than in most European countries and casual dress is widely acceptable as in keeping with a largely agricultural community. Women, however, often dress up for smart restaurants and social functions. Handshaking is usual, and modes of address will often be informal. Smoking is banned in all public enclosed/working spaces, including pubs, bars and restaurants.

International Travel:

Getting There by Air
The national airline is Aer Lingus (EI) (website: www.aerlingus.com).

Departure Tax
€10 at Knock International Airport only, payable by everyone over 12 years.

Main Airports
Dublin Airport (DUB) (website: www.dublin-airport.com) is 10km (6 miles) north of the city. To/from the airport: Taxis are available into the city center cost approximately €15; passengers may be charged extra for large luggage. An aircoach service runs to and from the airport, 24 hours per day. Citylink runs a service from Galway to Dublin Airport (journey time - 3 hours). Dublin Bus offers many routes throughout Dublin to the airport, including an AirLink Express bus from Heuston and Connolly railway stations. Facilities: Duty free shop, car hire, bank, bureau de change, bars, restaurants, tourist information center and chemist.
 
Shannon Airport (SNN) (website: www.shannonairport.com) is 24km (15 miles) north of Limerick City (journey time – 25 minutes). To/from the airport: Bus services are available to and from both Limerick and Clare. A daily express coach travels between Limerick and Shannon, plus to Ennis bus station. Citylink operates a service from Galway to Shannon Airport (journey time - 1 hour 15 minutes). Taxi services are available, 24 hours, to Limerick City. Facilities: Outgoing duty-free shop, bank, bureau de change, bar, restaurant and tourist information center.

Cork Airport (ORK) (website: www.corkairport.com) is 8km (5 miles) southwest of the city. To/from the airport: Buses travel between the city center and airport (journey time – 15 minutes). Facilities: Outgoing duty-free shop, car hire, bar and restaurant.

Knock International Airport (NOC) (website: www.knockairport.com) is 11km (7 miles) north of Claremorris (Co Mayo) and receives scheduled international flights from the UK only. At other times of the year, chartered flights operate between Knock and a number of European destinations, such as Salzburg, Majorca, Crete and Lisbon. To/from the airport: Taxi services are available to Claremorris, where onward rail and bus connections are available to the rest of the country. Facilities: Duty-free shop, bar, restaurant and car hire (pre-booking advised).

Getting There by Water
Main ports: Baltimore, Dublin (website: www.dublinport.ie), Galway, Kinsale and Wexford.
In addition to conventional ferry crossings, many ferry companies now offer high-speed services as well as upgraded, state-of-the-art craft on many Irish sea routes. Fares will vary by season and promotional offers are available. Routes from Britain and France include:

From England: Liverpool–Dublin (journey time – 8 hours); Fleetwood–Larne (Northern Ireland, travel time – 8 hours). From the Isle of Man: Douglas–Dublin (journey time – 2hours 45 minutes, summer only, or 4 hours 45 minutes on conventional ferries); Douglas–Belfast (Northern Ireland, journey time – 2 hours 45 minutes).

From Scotland: Cairnryan–Larne (Northern Ireland, journey time – 1 hour on fast ferries and 1 hour 45 minutes on conventional ferries); Troon–Belfast (Northern Ireland, journey time – 2 hours 30 minutes); Stranraer–Belfast (journey time – 1 hour 45 minutes on fast ferries and three hours 15 minutes on conventional ferries).

From Wales: Holyhead (Isle of Anglesey)–Dublin (journey time – 2 hours on fast ferries and minimum three hours 15 minutes on conventional ferries); Holyhead (Isle of Anglesey)–Dun Laoghaire (travel time – 1 hour 40 minutes on fast ferries); Fishguard–Rosslare (journey time – 1 hour 40 minutes on fast ferries and 3 hours 30 minutes on conventional ferries); Swansea–Cork (seasonal, journey time – 10 hours); Pembroke–Rosslare (journey time – 3 hours 45 minutes).

From France: Irish Ferries operate at least four direct ferry crossings a day between France and Ireland. The routes are Cherbourg–Rosslare (journey time – 19 hours); Roscoff–Rosslare (journey time – 18 hours); Roscoff-Cork (journey time - 13 hours 30 minutes).

For information on routes, fares and reservations, contact one of the following: Brittany Ferries (tel: 0870 366 5333; website: www.brittany-ferries.com); Irish Ferries (tel: 0870 517 1717, in the UK, or (1) 855 222, in Dublin; website: www.irishferries.com); Isle of Man Steam Packet (tel: (01624) 661 661; website: www.steam-packet.com); P&O Irish Sea (tel: 0870 242 4777; website: www.poirishsea.com); Stena Line (tel: 0870 570 7070; website: www.stenaline.co.uk); and Swansea-Cork Ferries (tel: (01792) 456 116).

Getting There by Rail
Rail links serve Ireland from all the above ferry ports, as well as from Northern Ireland.

Rail Passes
InterRail: offers unlimited first- or second-class travel in up to 30 European countries for European residents of over six months with two pass options. The Global Pass allows travel for 22 days, one month, five days in 10 days or 10 days in 22 days across all countries. The One-Country Pass offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month in any of the countries except Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. Travel is not allowed in the passenger’s country of residence. Travelers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children’s tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (website: www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).

Eurailpass: offers unlimited first-class train travel in 17 European countries. Saver tickets are valid for 15 days, 21 days, one month, two months or three months. The Eurailpass Saver ticket offers discounts for two or more people traveling together. The Eurailpass Youth ticket is available to those aged under 26 and offers unlimited second-class train travel. The Eurailpass Flexi allows either 10 or 15 travel days within a two-month period.

The Eurail Selectpass is valid in three, four or five bordering countries and allows five, six, eight or 10 travel days (or 15 for five countries) in a two-month period. The Eurail Regional Pass allows four to 10 travel days in a two month period in one of nine regions (usually two or more countries). Children receive a 50 per cent reduction. The passes cannot be sold to residents of Europe, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia or the Russian Federation. Available from the Eurail Group (website: www.eurail.com).

Overview
The following goods may be imported by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty if obtained duty- and/or tax-free outside the EU:
200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 1l of spirits and distilled beverages (more than 22 per cent) or 2l of other alcoholic beverages with an alcoholic strength not exceeding 22 per cent, including sparkling or fortified wine, plus 2l of table wine; 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette; other dutiable goods to the value of €175, or €90 if under 15 years old.

Abolition of duty-free goods within the EU
On 30 June 1999, the sale of duty free alcohol and tobacco at airports and at sea was abolished in all of the original 15 EU member states. Of the 10 new member states that joined the EU on 1 May 2004 and the two states that joined on 1 January 2007, these rules already apply to Cyprus and Malta. There are transitional rules in place for visitors returning to one of the original 15 EU countries from one of the other new EU countries. But for the original 15, plus Cyprus and Malta, there are no limits imposed on importing tobacco and alcohol products from one EU country to another. Travelers should note that they may be required to prove at customs that the goods purchased are for personal use only. Member states may follow the EU’s guide levels of: 10l of spirits; 20l of fortified wine; 90l of wine; 110l of beer; 800 cigarettes; 400 cigarillos; 200 cigars and 1kg of tobacco.

Prohibited Imports
Firearms, ammunition, explosives, offensive weapons, indecent/obscene material, plants or bulbs, live or dead animals, bird or poultry, endangered species, meat and meat products and hay or straw (even if used as packing).

Internal Travel:

Getting Around By Air
Aer Lingus (as well as several other carriers) operates services throughout the country. Charter flights are also available. The Aran Islands are served by Aer Arann (website: www.aerarann.ie) via a 15-minute flight from Connemara Regional Airport (located 27km/17 miles west of Galway city).


Domestic airports


Galway (GWY) is approximately 8km (5 miles) from the city center. To/from the airport: Bus and taxi services are available into Galway center.
Sligo (SXL) (website: www.sligoairport.com) is 8km (5 miles) from Sligo. To/from the airport: Taxis need prior booking. Bus and taxi services are available into Sligo.
Carrickfinn (CFN) is in Co Donegal.
Kerry (Farranfore) (KIR) (website: www.kerryairport.ie) in Co Kerry is 19km (12 miles) from both Killarney and Tralee. To/from the airport: Taxi services are available to both these towns and to the nearby railway station. Car hire is also available.
As well as the airports listed above (and in Travel - International), there are various small licensed airstrips which receive passenger services; enquire at Tourism Ireland for details of operators and routes (see Top Things To Do).

Getting Around by Water
Ferry services run to the various west coast islands; enquiries should be made locally.

Getting Around by Rail
Rail services in the Republic are owned by Iarnród Eireann (Irish Rail) (website: www.irishrail.ie) and express trains run between the main cities. There are two classes of accommodation, with restaurant and buffet cars on some trains. Children under five travel free. Children aged five to 15 pay half fare.

Rail Passes
A range of rail-only and combined rail and bus tickets are available for unlimited travel within the Republic of Ireland. The Britrail and Eurorail card systems are valid in Ireland (see Getting There).

InterRail’s One-Country Pass offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month within Ireland. Travel is not allowed in the passenger’s country of residence. Travelers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children’s tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (website: www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).

Getting Around by Road
The network links all parts of Ireland. Traffic drives on the left. Ireland changed all road signs from imperial to metric measurements on 20 January 2005. Bus: Internal bus services are run by Bus Eireann (Irish Bus) (website: www.buseireann.ie) which has a nationwide network of buses serving all the major cities and most towns and villages outside the Dublin area. Bus services in remote areas are infrequent. An ‘Expressway’ coach network complements rail services. The central bus station is in Store Street, Dublin. A variety of special passes are available, including the Irish Rambler, which offers unlimited travel for three, eight or 15 days. Irish Explorer offers unlimited intercity and suburban rail services, as well as the Bus Eireann Expressway and local and city services. The Emerald Card offers services in Northern Ireland as well as in the Republic of Ireland. Several independent bus companies, which are often cheaper, faster and more frequent than Bus Eireann, operate regular, scheduled services to and from Dublin. Further information can be found in local papers. Coach tours: Many companies offer coach tours, varying in length and itinerary. Full-day and half-day guided tours are organized from the larger towns and cities. These run from May to October. Full details are available from Bus Eireann and CIE Tours International. Taxi: Service is available in major cities. Taxis are metered in Cork, Dublin, Galway and Limerick. In other areas is it advised to agree on a fare beforehand. Cruising taxis are infrequent. Places to get taxis are at hotels, rail and bus stations or taxi stands. Car hire: Available from all air- and seaports as well as major hotels. All international hire companies are represented in Ireland, as well as local operators. Age requirements vary from a minimum of 21 to a maximum of 70 years. A full license from the driver’s home country is required, and the driver will normally be required to have had at least two years’ experience. It is advisable to book hire cars in advance, especially in the peak season, and a child seat should be ordered in advance also. Advise the car hire company if the car will be driven into Northern Ireland. The ’Guide to Touring Ireland by Car’ is available from the Tourism Ireland (see Top Things To Do). Bicycle hire: Ask for a Tourist Board leaflet. Regulations: Speed limits: 50 k/h (30mph) in towns and cities, 80 k/h (50mph) on local roads (this is displayed on white signs) and 100 k/h (60mph) on national roads (this is displayed on green signs). Seatbelts should be worn at all times and it is illegal to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Documentation: EU nationals taking cars into the Republic require: motor registration book (or owner’s authority in writing); full EU driving license or International Driving Permit; nationality coding stickers; and insurance cover valid for the Republic. A Green Card is strongly recommended, as without it, insurance cover is limited to the minimum legal requirement in Ireland – the Green Card tops this up to the cover provided by the visitor’s domestic policy.

Getting Around Towns and Cities
Extensive bus services operate in Dublin. There is a fast suburban rail service (DART, Dublin Area Rapid Transport), traveling from Malahide in the north to Greystones in the south. Buses in the city are run by DublinBus; they operate from 0600-2330 during weekdays with a limited night bus service on Thursday, Friday and Saturday departing the city every 20 minutes, 0030-0430. Dublin also has its own tram system, LUAS, which is a high-speed service with convenient stop locations throughout the city. Taxis can be hailed or hired at a taxi rank: the three main taxi ranks in the city are O’Connell Street, Dame Street and St Stephens Street.

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

	Air	Road	Rail
Cork	0.40	3.00	2.40
Limerick	-	3.30	2.10
Shannon Airport	0.35	3.00	-
Kilkenny	-	2.00	1.45

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