(Last updated: 24 August 2008)

Visas

Australian citizens require a valid passport and a return ticket to enter Ireland, but do not need a visa for short-term tourism or business visits. Ireland's representatives in Australia can be contacted at:

The Embassy of Ireland
20 Arkana Street
Yarralumla, ACT 2600
Tel: +61 2 6273 3022
Fax: +61 2 6273 3741
Email: irishemb@computech.com.au

Consulate General
Level 30, 400 George Street
Sydney, NSW 2000
Tel: +61 2 9231 6999
Fax: +61 2 9231 6254
Email: consyd@ireland.com

Climate

Ireland has a temperate climate. Average temperatures in the coldest months of January and February are 4ºC, rising to between 17ºC and 20ºC in summer for July and August. The brightest months are May and June and rain can be expected at any time of year. The driest part of the island is the greater Dublin area on the east coast.

For weather details in Ireland, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.

Ground transport

Transport from Dublin Airport is usually by bus or taxi. A Travel Information Desk located in the Arrivals Concourse provides information on public bus and rail services throughout the country. All local and express buses operate from the main arrivals road directly outside the terminal building.

The Airlink Express Coach Service links the airport with Busaras (Central Bus Station, Sore Street), and with the two mainline rail stations, Connolly and Heuston:

• not all services are onward to Heuston, so check with the driver for details
• the coach service operates daily from 7.00am to 11.00pm at approximately 15-minute intervals
• this local bus service operates daily to and from the city centre (Eden Quay) between 6.00am and 11.30pm
• the journey time is approximately 30 minutes and the bus serves en route suburban destinations
• the 33, 41, 41a, 41b, 41c all service the city centre from Dublin Airport

A special bus service operated by Bus Eireann and Ulster Bus links Belfast City with Dublin Airport. This service operates from Glengall Street, Belfast, four times a day. The journey time is approximately three hours. If you are travelling to Northern Ireland by bus or train, full details of all the services are available on the official Northern Ireland transportation service.

Taxis are readily available in Irish towns, and hotels will often have relationship with a particular company so that cabs are available at any time of day or night. All approved taxis will have roof-signs and meters. The taxi fare from all points within the Dublin taximeter area (24 kilometres from the city centre) to the airport is registered on the meter plus applicable authorised extra charges shown on the taxi fare card. Taxi fares from all points outside the boundary of the Dublin taximeter area should be agreed with the driver before hiring commences (approximate charge is A$2.23 per mile).  For taxi journeys outside the Dublin taximeter area a fee per journey is negotiable with the driver. A list of approximate fares is available on the noticeboard at the taxi rank.

A range of regular surface and air services operates in Ireland but these require advanced booking especially in the peak holiday season from June to September.  The national bus and coach network is run by Bus Eireann. Within the Dublin area the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) is perhaps the most convenient way to travel. There are various ferry routes into Ireland, as well as within the country including Stena Line, Irish Ferries and P&O European Ferries.

There are a number of hire car companies operating throughout the country. Reservations for car rental are necessary and should be made as soon as your travel arrangements are in place. If you require an automatic car, reservations are advised all year round. Most hire car companies operate a pick-up and set-down arrangement. Before driving in Ireland it is advisable to check:

• speed limits
• parking regulations
• petrol prices and grades
• repair and maintenance services

Security and health

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Ireland. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.

Health

No special health precautions are needed. There is a reciprocal health agreement between Australia and Ireland for basic care, however, it is recommended you have private travel insurance with health cover.

Tipping

Service charges of 10–15 per cent are added as standard to most hotel and restaurant bills. A tip of five to 10 per cent in addition is expected in the top restaurants. Where service is not added, it is usual to leave a tip of 15 per cent. In most places, even in relatively expensive restaurants, pay the cashier when you leave and not the waiter

Taxis will expect a 10 per cent tip. Other tipping is discretionary.

Time zones and time differences

Ireland is 10 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time.

To find out the current time in Dublin, view the World Clock.

Dialling codes

Ireland's country code is 353.

For calls to Ireland from Australia dial: 0011 + 353 + area code + telephone number

For calls from Ireland to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number

For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes. 

Business hours

Usual business hours in Ireland are 9.00am–5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Banks are open between 10.00am–4.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Government offices are open between 9.00am–4.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Most shops are open between 9.00am–5.30pm, Monday to Friday. Late night shopping on Thursdays and Fridays is now increasingly popular.

In small villages, banking may be provided only two or three days per week and shops may close during lunch and one afternoon per week.

Public holidays

January 1 - New Year's Day
March 17 - St Patrick’s Day
May 1 - May Holiday
December 25 - Christmas Day
December 26 - Boxing Day

Currency

Oanda currency converter

The Euro (€) is the official currency for all transactions. One Euro is made up of 100 cents. Euro notes are common to all Euro zone countries (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain), while the coins are customised with the national symbol. Both Euro notes and coins can be spent in any Euro zone country.

Electricity and water

Ireland’s power supply is 220 volts, 50Hz 1, 3 phases, 2, 4 wires. The square-pin plugs are the most common.