| HANDY IRISH INFORMATION |
Shop and Pub Opening Hours
Shops generally open from 9am-6pm, Monday-Friday with late opening on Thursdays until 8pm. In the city centre some department stores and bookshops open on Sundays from 12 noon until 6pm. Pubs open from 10.30am -12.30am
Electrical Current
Standard 220v A.C. Most travel shops and hardware stores will be able to provide adapters for electrical items.
Telephones
There are plenty of public telephones dotted throughout the city. You will usually find a Cardphone and a coin phone side by side. Cards in 10, 20, 50 and 100 unit denominations can be purchased in Telecentres, post offices and shops which display the Callcard sign. A list of Irish regional codes and International direct dialling codes can be found in the front pages of the telephone directory. For directory enquiries, dial 1190 for numbers within Ireland , 1197 for numbers within Great Britain, 1198 for international numbers. For operator assisted calls dial 10 for Ireland or the UK and 114 for all other countries.To make an international call :
Direct dialling
00 + County Code + Area Code + Local Number
Post Offices
City centre post offices are open from 9am -5.30pm, Monday-Friday and 9am - 1.30pm on Saturday. The GPO on O'Connell Street opens from 8am-8pm Monday - Saturday, and on Sunday (for stamps only) from 10.30am - 6.30pm. Suburban post offices close for lunch from 1pm-2.15pm.
Medical Care
Visitors from EU countries are entitled to medical treatment under the EU Reciprocal Medical Treatment agreement. Before you travel you should collect a form, E111, from your local social security office. Check that the doctor or dentist that you use is registered with the Irish Health Board and inform him or her that you want to be treated under the EUs social security arrangements. In the event of an emergency, visitors may telephone or go directly to the casualty department of the major hospitals.
Public Holidays
Public Holidays in the Republic of Ireland are New Year's Day (January 1); St Patrick's Day (March 17); Good Friday (though this is not a statutory holiday); Easter Monday; May Day (May 1); First Mondays in June and August, last Monday in October; Christmas Day (December 25); St. Stephen's Day (December 26).
100,000 Welcomes
Ireland is rightly known as the Land of a Hundred Thousand Welcomes - but there is always the exception, particularly in a major city like Dublin. Though we can claim one of the lowest crime rates in Europe, a few simple precautions will go a long way to ensuring that your visit remains trouble free for the duration of your stay. For your own peace of mind we suggest you observe these simple guidelines…..
In any emergency dial 999 or 211 and ask for police assistance. If you observe these simple precautions you are unlikely to need it.
- DO NOT carry your passport or large amounts of cash with you or leave them in your hotel room.
- DO NOT leave valuables or any luggage exposed in the back of your car or on a roof rack.
- CAMP ONLY on approved sites and never in public areas.
- WATCH YOUR HANDBAG when shopping or in crowded streets, restaurants or pubs.
- PARK in controlled car parks and always lock your car.
- WHEN VISITING tourist sites do not wander into side streets unless you are sure you know where you are going.
Visa and Embassies:
EU members and citizens of most Western countries do not require a visa to visit Ireland. Other nationalities should contact their nearest Irish diplomatic office. Irish diplomatic offices overseas include the following EU member state
| -Denmark 423-233
-Sweden 6661-8005 -UK 071-2352171 -France 45-00-20-87 -Germany 37-69-37 -Italy 678-2541 -Netherlands 070-63-0993 -Portugal 396-1569 -Spain 576-3500 |
Other countries
-Australia 06-2733022 -Canada 416-7458624 -Japan 263-0695 -Switzerland 46-23-53 -USA 202-462-3939 |
Money
The currency of Ireland is the EURO. It is divided into one hundred cent with coins of 1¢, 2¢, 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢ €1 & €2. Notes come in €5, €10, €20, €50 and €100 tender. Major credit cards are widely accepted and cash advances can be received on these cards from ATM's or banks. Most major currencies and brands of travellers cheques are easily exchanged in Ireland.
Banks and Bureau de Exchange
Banks are located throughout the city and suburbs and are open from Monday-Friday 10am - 4pm; Late opening on Thursdays, from 10am - 5pm. Banks do not open on Saturdays. Most banks have open ATM machines for after-hours banking. Banking services are available at the airport to coincide with international arrivals and departures
