Visiting Ireland
Visa Requirements
Visitors from the E.U., Australia, North America, South Africa and New Zealand do not need a visa to enter Ireland for a holiday.
If you are a citizen from any other country you may need a visa.
Citizens of certain countries must apply for an entry visa before they travel to Ireland. Contact your embassy for more information.
Bringing your Pet to Ireland
The importation of pets into Ireland has always been strictly controlled to ensure that diseases such as rabies are not introduced. Since 1 January 2012 there have been a number of changes to the EU system of Passports for Pets allows cats, dogs and ferrets to travel between EU member states. This EU Pet Passport certifies that the pet has been identified by means of a microchip and vaccinated against rabies. Pets from higher risk non-EU countries will also require a blood test.
Weather in March
As a rule Irish weather is unpredictable. You could be wearing a t-shirt in March or equally, a woolly jumper. Pack a raincoat…and sunglasses!
For up to date information on Irish weather visit www.met.ie
Smoking Ban
Dublin was Europe’s first smoke free capital city. Since March 29th 2004, a smoking ban in the work place has been in force. The primary purpose of the prohibition is to afford protection to workers and the public who are exposed to harmful environmental tobacco smoke. Dublin pubs, night clubs, restaurants and cafés are now smoke free zones. You can still smoke out of doors, in your hotel room, or in private accommodation.
Electrical Current
The standard voltage in Ireland is 240 volts AC. Sockets in Ireland differ from the US and mainland Europe. A plug adaptor may be required for small appliances to work in the standard flat three-pin sockets here. Visitors bringing electrical appliances should ask an electrician or appliance dealer if it is possible to use a transformer.
Money
The Euro (€) is the official currency of Ireland.
Tipping is accepted in Ireland, 10% is normal.
Any credit cards that bear the Visa or MasterCard logo will be widely accepted in Ireland. Visitors with other cards, including ones with the American Express symbol, should ask in advance if it will be accepted.
Amex and Thomas Cook traveller’s cheques are widely recognized and they don’t charge commission for cashing their own cheques. Eurocheques can also be cashed in Ireland. Traveller’s cheques are rarely accepted outside banks or used for everyday transactions (as they are in the USA).
Bank opening times are generally Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday banks from 10am-4pm.Thursdays 10am-5pm in Dublin (and some other regions).
Shopping
Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm in most towns and cities.
Thursdays – Dublin has late-night shopping until 8pm/9pm.
Thursday and Friday – late night shopping in most shopping centres.
Sunday – many shops are open 12pm-6pm.
Duty-free shopping is available at all international airports.
Taxes & Refunds
Value-added tax (VAT) is a sales tax of 21% that applies to most luxury goods in Ireland. Visitors from non-EU countries can claim back most of the VAT on purchases that are subsequently exported from the EU within three months of ¬purchase.
Most shops in the Republic operate a taxback scheme – the most popular are Cashback and Ireland Tax Free – which operate as follows: if you are a resident of a non EU country and buy something from a store displaying a Cashback or Ireland Tax Free sticker, you will be given a relevant voucher with your purchase which can be refunded directly on to your credit card or in US, Canadian or Australian dollars, British pounds or Euros at Dublin or Shannon airport. One advantage of Ireland Tax Free is that you can reclaim your tax at the nearest Travelex office.
If you reclaim more than €250 on any of your vouchers you will need to get the voucher stamped at the customs booth in the arrivals hall at Dublin or Shannon airport before you can get your refund from the Cashback desk.
Additional Information
There are also a number of information lines run by Failte Ireland that can provide you with information on Dublin and other holiday destinations in Ireland. Please use the number for your country:
Ireland: 1850 230 330 (all calls charged at local rates)
United Kingdom: 0800 0397000
USA: 800 223 6470
France: 01 53 43 1212
Canada: 1800 223 6470
French Belgians: 02 6739 940
French Swiss: 052 202 69 06
German Swiss: 052 2 02 6906/7
Italian Swiss: 052 2 02 6906
Sweden: 08 662 8510
Finland: 09 608 966
Denmark: 33 1580 45
Spain: 91 577 1787
Netherlands: 020 622 3101
Belgium: 02 673 9940
Italy: 02 869 0541
Norway: 22 56 33 10
Austria: 01 715 8317
Australia: 02 92996177
Germany: 069 92318550
Other Festivals happening in Ireland throughout the year include:
Cork Midsummer Festival
Dublin Dance Festival
Dublin Fringe Festival
Dublin Theatre Festival
Galway Arts Festival
Dublin Film Festival
Kilkenny Arts Festival
Belfast Festival at Queens
Wexford Opera Festival
