Ireland

Ireland is where the action is, you can hit those fabulous golf courses or trek across country on foot, mount up on horseback or glide along on a bike, cruise the Shannon on a houseboat or take in the wild stretches of coastline. Once you are done with the outdoors Ireland’s vibrant cities will be ready to welcome and entertain you.

Language

Irish (Gaelic) is the official language. The majority speak English.

Currency

The Irish currency is the (€) =100cents. The most common paper currency in Ireland comes in denominations of €500, €200, €50, €20, €10 and €5. Coins appear in denominations of €2 and €1. Coins also come in 50 cents, 20 cents, 10 cents, 5 cents, 2 cents and 1 cent

Weather

Summers are warm, temperatures generally fall in a range of 59 F/15 C to 68 F/20 C. Winter days can be drizzly, cold and short (the sun sets around 4 pm). Spring and autumn are very mild. Rain falls all year. The absolute best times to visit are probably from mid May to the end of June and during the month of October, when the weather is good for touring and there usually aren't as many tourists.

Attractions/Nightlife

Dublin has many historic buildings to visit including Trinity College, its oldest university. There are many castles scattered all around the country such as Donegal Castle in the North West and Kilkenny in the south east. Kiss the Blarney stone in historical Cork and take in the vibrant city of Galway and its beautiful surrounding landscape to the west.

Driving

• The blood alcohol limit in Ireland is 80mg.
• Drive on the left side of the road.
• The minimum age of a driver is 17 years.
• Children must be at least 12 years of age to sit in the front seat (unless the seat is equipped with a child restraint).
• The use of seat belts is compulsory for front-seat passengers.
• Horns cannot be used between 11:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
• It's illegal to use fog lights except in fog or falling snow.

Shopping

When shopping in Ireland traditional goods include hand-woven tweed; hand-crocheted woollens and cottons; sheepskin goods; gold and silver jewellery; jewellery with elegant Gaelic and early Christian designs; Aran knitwear; beautiful linens; pottery; Irish hand-cut crystal and basketry.

The cities have all the usual high street shops and department shops you would expect as well as traditional stores selling local goods. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1730/1800. Numerous towns have late night opening on Thurs or Fri until 2000/2100.

Nightlife

The majority of towns in Ireland have clubs, bars and pubs with live music. From quiet country pubs to sophisticated jazz nightclubs, busy suburban taverns to noisy city clubs. All kinds of tastes are cared for. It is fairly common to find pubs holding craic, an Irish tradition (it is a combination of music, drink, conversation and the spirit of the surroundings). Special events and and themed nights often take place at special attractions such as the medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle.

Food

Ireland is a farming country noted for its meat, bacon, poultry and dairy produce. Dublin has a wide selection of restaurants and eating places to suit every pocket, as do the other major towns. Traditional Irish dishes include: Crubeens - pigs trotters; Colcannon - a mixture of potatoes and cabbage cooked together; Carrageen - a variety of seaweed; Irish Stew - mutton, onions and potatoes. Guinness is Ireland’s traditional drink and Irish whiskey is distinctive and popular, also a base for Irish cream such as Baileys and the popular Irish coffee, a mix of strong coffee, sugar, whiskey and cream.

Tourist Information

www.tourismireland.comTel: 0800 039 7000 Fax: 020 7493 9065 Email: info@tourismireland.co.uk