(Last updated: 14 Apr 2011)

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. Contact The Embassy of Ireland for further information.

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.

Airports

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.

Ground transport

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 (24km from the city centre) to the airport is registered on the meter plus applicable authorised extra charges shown on the taxi fare card.

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

Hotels

All types of accommodation and budgets are catered for, starting from approximately €90 per night up to €400.

For a list of hotels countrywide, see the Irish Hotel Federation website www.IrelandHotels.com or check out the local tourist office for the region you plan to visit, eg. www.visitdublin.com.

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 sometimes added as gratuities on 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.

Taxis will expect a 10 per cent tip, or at least rounded up to the nearest Euro.

Other tipping is discretionary. It is understood that cash tips are more likely to be received by staff, rather than including an amount on a credit card transaction.

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–5.30pm, 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–6.00pm, Monday to Friday. Late night shopping on Thursdays and Fridays is now increasingly popular (until 8.30-9.00pm).

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
April 22 – Good Friday
April 25 – Easter Monday
May 2 – May Holiday
June 6 – June Public Holiday
August 1– August Bank Holiday
October 31 – October Bank Holiday
December 26 – St Stephen's/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.

Dining

Dublin has six Michelin-starred restaurants, but there is plenty of selection, especially in the main cities and towns.

Visit www.menupages.ie for information on restaurants and eateries to suit all tastes and budgets. Classification by cuisine or price, with menus and reviews online.

Tourist attractions

Some of the main attractions of Ireland are:

The Book of Kells

This is an ancient book of scripture painstakingly handwritten in Old Irish lettering with Celtic decoration on vellum, carried out by monks. The book is housed under a glass case with only one page on view each year. Located in the grounds of Trinity College.

Guinness Hopstore

See how the famous black stuff is made. This visitors’ centre has an interactive tour on the brewing process, culminating with the chance to enjoy a pint on the top floor bar – with its 360-degree views of the city.

The National Gallery

Free of charge (unless a special exhibition is being curated), the National Gallery has been refurbished to house its collection of ancient and modern paintings.