By Air

Ireland has five airports and they can be accessed directly from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. These are Belfast International, Cork, Dublin and Kerry. Killarney is easily accessed from Germany through Kerry Airport (approx. 16 km from Killarney) and Cork (approx. 85 km from Killarney).

In addition to that there are also other regional airports: Aran Islands, George Best Belfast City Airport, Londonderry, Donegal, Galway, Knock, Sligo and Waterford. These airports offer a wide service for flight connections.

By Ferry

There are six big ferry harbours in Ireland. These are Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Dun Laoghaire, Larne and Rosslare.

Visitors with a Disability

The Southwest Region of Ireland extends a warm welcome to disabled visitors. Many public places and tourist attractions are accessible for wheelchair users. Many hotels, Bed & Breakfasts and restaurants are well equipped to accommodate guests who have any kind of disability.

For further information within the Republic of Ireland contact: "National Disability Authority" www.nda.ie . Telephone 00353 (0) 1608 0400 For Northern Ireland: Disability Action www.disabilityaction.org, Telephone: +44 (0) 28-9029 7880

Petrol and Diesel prices

You will find petrol stations nationwide. The prices may vary.

Prices (Stand Nov. 2009)
Republic of Ireland per Litre
Petrol unleaded 1,18 EUR
Diesel 1,09 EUR

Population and Geography  

There are 4.2 million people living in the Republic of Ireland, 1.2 million of them are living in Co. Dublin (2006). The island belongs with 60 inhabitants per square meter to one of the sparsley populated countries of the EU. There are approximately 1.4 million people living in Northern Ireland.

The island is 450 kilometres long and 300 kilometres wide. It is approximately 84,500 square kilometres.

Ireland is divided into four provinces. These are Ulster, Munster, Leinster and Connaught and there are 32 counties in total in Ireland. 26 counties are part of the Republic of Ireland and six counties are part of Northern Ireland.

Entry

As an EU Citizen you need a valid passport or a valid identity card.

Bank Holidays

These are: 1st January, 17th March, Good Friday, Easter Monday, the first Monday of May, June and August, the last Monday in October, Christmas Day and St. Stephen’s Day.

Climate

Ireland has a mild climate with summer temperatures. The main reason for this is the Gulf Stream which passes by on the south and southwest coast. Temperatures in summer are between 15° and 25°. The average temperature in spring and autumn is 10°. In winter the temperature may range between down 5° C to 8°. Snow is rare but rain showers can occur at any time of the year, but normally they do not last that long.

Further information: www.met.ie

Health Insurance

In every European country where a health insurance card exists, have a European Health Insurance Card. This was introduced in 2004.

If you are travelling as an EU citizen to Ireland you will be entitled in an emergency case to medical care. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) controls supply and refund of costs. 

The new card is not replacing the overseas travel health insurance. The return journey into the homeland is not insured with the EHIC for medical cases. Therefore it is advisable to take out additional insurance for your stay abroad.

Credit Cards

Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards are widely accepted. It is advisable to ask in advance if you have any other credit cards.

Shop Opening Hours

Generally shops are open Monday to Saturday from 09:00am - 06:00pm. Larger shops are open on certain days until 9:00pm, usually on Thursdays and Fridays.

On Sundays the shops are open generally between 12:00noon to 06:00pm.

Smoking

Smoking is forbidden in pubs, bars, restaurants and in public areas. In your accommodation all rooms are generally non-smoking but there are smoking rooms available in some hotels.

Religion

88 percent of the Irish population are Catholic.  Only three percent belong to the "Church of Ireland".

A small percentage of the population is made up of different protestant beliefs, Jews and Muslims. In Northern Ireland 44 percent of the population are part of the Protestant Church and 40 percent are Catholic.

Road Traffic

Visitors have to have a valid driving license which was issued in their homeland.

In Ireland you have to drive on the left hand side of the road and it is an obligation to fasten your seat belt.

The drink driving limit in Ireland and in Northern Ireland is 0.8 mil. You should abstain from alcohol as you have to expect police controls at all times.

Electric Current

The standard electricity supply is 220 volts Ac. Visitors may require a transformer and plug adaptor (to convert 2-pin plugs on the standard 3-pin plugs). You can buy adapters at the airport or in electrical stores.

Telephone

Mobile phones: Only digital phones with GSM subscriptions and a roaming agreement will work in Ireland. Visitors should consult with their suppliers they leaving Pay Phones.

If you do not have a mobile phone an international call card is advisable. You can purchase them at most petrol stations for 5 EUR. With this card you can make cheap phone calls from your accommodation to your country abroad.

Places to stay 

In Ireland you have a wide choice of places to stay. Whether it be a Bed and Breakfast, a guesthouse or a hotel, there is something available for every budget and taste.

Bed & Breakfast

Very often furnished and decorated lovingly by the owners themselves, you are nearly always  guaranteed a first class service and a full Irish breakfast.

Hotels

All hotels are classified on a star system with the hotels achieving a one - five star classification.

The majority of the 4* and 5* hotels have a restaurant, bar, leisure facilities and sometimes have a golf course and entertainment.

Ireland has something to offer every taste. You will have a choice of simple hotels, elegant country homes, modern city hotels, Victorian country houses, family hotels, golf hotels or Manor houses in Georgian style.

Guesthouses

Guesthouses are smaller than hotels but bigger than Bed & Breakfasts. Guesthouses are classified by the star classification system with a top ranking of four stars. You can book dinner in some guesthouses also.

Hostels

If you have a low budget a youth hostel might be the right place for you to stay. The facilities are different from hostel to hostel. If you have special wishes such as a double room, an early booking might be advisable.

Holiday Homes

Holiday Homes are very suitable for groups or families. You can book traditional Irish cottages or modern apartments. You will find them in small villages and also in bigger towns.

Camping Sites and Caravan Parks

You will find them mainly in the most scenic places. The majority of camping sites and caravan parks are open between April and September.

Farm Houses

This is highly recommendable for families with children and people who want the experience of direct contact with the locals. You will also get a “Full Irish Breakfast” during your stay in a Farmhouse.

Weather

The best journey time is between April and May. September and October also offer relatively consistent weather. As these months are not in peak season anymore, they are very good for a trip to Ireland. The weather can change quickly so you have to expect light rain showers at all  times.

Just in case always pack a warm jumper in your suitcase and a raincoat regardless of what time of year you are travelling to Ireland. 

Currency

The Euro is the national currency in the Republic of Ireland.

In Northern Ireland and in Great Britain Pound Sterling is the currency.

Some banks in Northern Ireland print their own bank notes, they are different in design compared to the notes in Great Britain but not in valuation.

You cannot pay with Irish Pound Sterling at most facilities in Great Britain as those notes are not known and they will not be accepted. Please exchange your Irish Pounds into British pounds before your journey to Britain.

Time

Ireland is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which means visitors from German speaking countries have to put back their clocks one hour. The clocks will be put forward one hour at the end of March and back one hour at the end of October in Ireland. Through this change there is a difference of one hour all year round.