Electrical sockets (outlets) in Ireland  are the “Type G ” British BS-1363 type. If your appliance’s plug doesn’t match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance’s plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into.Electrical sockets (outlets) in Ireland usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you’re plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance is not compatible with 220-240 electrical output, a voltage converter will be necessary.  

CurrencyEuro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding €10,000 or equivalent must be declared if travelling from or to a country outside the European Union.Currency exchange services are available in banks, airports and bureaux de change.BankingBanking hours: Mon-Fri 09h30-16h30. In Dublin, banks stay open Thurs until 17h00; there are also late opening nights in other parts of the country, but the day will vary.American Express, MasterCard and Visa credit cards are all widely accepted. ATMs are available everywhere, catering for Cirrus and Maestro symbols.Travellers cheques are accepted throughout Ireland. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Tap water is generally fine to drink, although stories in recent years have suggested that in some areas the levels of fluoride might be risky, particularly to bottle-fed babies. Bottled water is readily available.Levels of hygiene are of a high standard in Ireland, so travellers should only take precautions that they would do in any other developed country. There’s no more danger of being served contaminated or undercooked food in Ireland than anywhere else. A statutory, independent, science-based body, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, is tasked “to take all reasonable steps to ensure that food produced, distributed or marketed in the State meets the highest standards of food safety and hygiene reasonably available.”Local ingredients are at the heart of the culinary boom which has taken hold of Ireland in the last decade or so. It’s not as if artisan and organic dishes now dominate the nation’s dinner tables, of course, but those in search of genuinely good food won’t have to search too far to be well rewarded. Unsurprisingly, this is especially true in major cities. Dublin in particular has a significant number of Michelin stars.

Ireland’s relatively temperate climate is due to mild southwesterly winds and the effects of the Atlantic Gulf Stream. Summers are warm – only rarely getting unpleasantly hot – while temperatures during winter are much cooler, although it’s far from common for the temperature to drop below freezing and snowfall is rare. Spring and autumn are very mild, with rainfall expected all year round.The other chief characteristic of the climate, however, is its unpredictability. You might be basking in balmy T-shirt weather one week, then wrapping up to stave off the chill the next – all the while with an umbrella to hand.

Aer Arran (www.aerarann.com), Aer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com) and Flybe (www.flybe.com) currently have domestic routes, between them covering Dublin, Kerry, Shannon and Donegal. Domestic airports include Galway (GWY), Sligo (SXL), Carrickfinn (CFN) and Kerry (Farranfore) (KIR), as well as various small airstrips. Given the size of the country, however, internal flights are rarely essential.Car hire is available from all airports and seaports, as well as major hotels. All international hire companies are represented in Ireland, as well as local operators. Drivers must be 21 or over. A full licence from the driver’s home country is required, and the driver will normally be required to have had at least two years’ experience.It is advisable to book hire cars in advance, especially in the peak season, and a child seat should be ordered in advance also. Advise the car hire company if the car will be driven into Northern Ireland.Ireland has a comprehensive road network. Getting from A to B by road might look relatively straightforward, but it’s always advisable to have a detailed road map or, better still, sat nav. Be aware that many signposts list place names in both Irish and English. Vehicles are driven on the left side of the road. Main roads are of a high quality. Minor roads can vary in standard, with some remote stretches being potholed.Speed limits are 50kph (30mph) in towns and cities, 80kph (50mph) on local roads (this is displayed on white signs) and 100kph (60mph) on national roads (this is displayed on green signs). Seat belts should be worn at all times.EU nationals taking cars into the Republic of Ireland should have with them registration documents as proof of ownership.Taxi services are available in all cities and towns and at hotels, rail and bus stations and taxi stands. You’ll find metered taxis in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick, but may elsewhere have to agree on a fare beforehand.Ireland is generally bike-friendly and can make for a superb touring destination. Bikes can be hired from most cities, and many towns, with ease.Bus Eireann ((01) 836 6111 for Dublin central station; www.buseireann.ie) has a comprehensive network of bus routes across the country.Most major cities have decent, well-priced public transport networks. The emphasis is usually on buses or suburban rail. Dublin also has its own tram system.Rail services in Ireland are run by Iarnród Eireann (Irish Rail)(tel: (1) 836 6222; www.irishrail.ie) and express trains run between the main cities. There are two classes of accommodation, with restaurant and buffet cars on some trains. Ferry services run to the Aran Islands with Aran Island Ferries (www.aranislandferries.com).It is possible to visit some of the other outlying islands, such as the Skellig Islands and Saltee Islands, on pleasure-boat or charter trips.

Lightweight clothing is recommended during summer with warmer medium weight clothing advised for the winter. Rainwear is advisable throughout the year. If you find yourself lacking anything essential on arrival, of course, all key centres are well stocked with clothing outlets, with the larger cities particularly good in terms of picking up high quality outdoor equipment.

We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance with medical benefits and that you bring any personal medication with you. Please also check with your health department prior to departure for any changes in health regulations.

Hospitals in Ireland may not accept U.S. health insurance as payment. Patients who do not receive benefits from Ireland’s Department of Social Protection are expected to pay all costs up-front at the time of treatment and apply for reimbursement from their insurance provider later.

Modern medical facilities and highly skilled medical practitioners are available in Ireland.
Expect long waits for access to medical specialists and admissions to hospitals for non-life-threatening medical conditions. It is not unusual for emergency room services to be very busy or for post-treatment admissions to include a long wait (sometimes overnight) on a gurney in a hallway.
We advise you carry your medical history, along with a detailed list of any medication you currently take (including dosage and brand name) in your wallet or purse and luggage.
Most types of over-the-counter medications are available but many U.S. brands are not. Some medications available over the counter in the United States may require a prescription in Ireland.
Irish pharmacists may not be able to dispense medication prescribed by U.S. physicians and may direct you to obtain a prescription from an Irish doctor.
A list of Irish general practitioners in each area of Ireland may be obtained from the website of the Irish College of General Practitioners.
The U.S. Embassy does not pay medical bills. Be aware that Medicare does not cover travelers overseas.

Ireland is safe in general. We recommend normal precautions be taken as you would for any city in the world. Be aware of your surroundings and stay in well-lit areas. Don’t flash wealth. If you have items of sentimental value, leave it at home. Visitors should avoid all political gatherings and demonstrations.

U.S. citizens do not require a visa. Non U.S. citizens should consult with your local embassy.

Language:Irish (Gaelic) is the official language. Estimates vary on the number of people who genuinely speak it as a first language (somewhere between 50,000 and 100,000), but English is the language of the majority.National Emergency Numbers:Emergency numbers in Ireland are 112 or 999.Public Holidays:Jan 01 – New Year’s DayMar 17 – Saint Patrick’s DayDay after Easter – Easter Monday1st Mon. in May – May Day1st Mon. in June – June Holiday1st Mon. in Aug – August HolidayLast Mon. in Oct – October HolidayDec 25 – Christmas DayDec 26 – St. Stephen’s DaySocial Conventions:The Irish are renowned as an affable, easy-going people, whose conversation is liberally dosed with humor, irreverence and – if you listen carefully – a beal bocht, an Irish expression that translates as 'the poor mouth'. It refers to a kind of modesty where the speaker is careful to talk themselves down and never reveal how well he or she is actually doing. In short, the Irish don't really like a show-off.Arguably the best place to observe and engage with the Irish is in the pub, still a center of social interaction in Ireland, especially in smaller communities throughout the country. A meal in an Irish home is usually a substantial affair and guests will eat well. Dinner is the main meal of the day and is now eaten in the evening. Casual dress is widely acceptable, but people will often dress up for smart restaurants and social functions. Handshaking is usual, and modes of address will often be informal. Smoking is banned in all public enclosed/working spaces, including pubs, bars and restaurants.TIME ZONEIreland is on Greenwich Mean Time and is 5 hours ahead of USA Eastern Time Zone.Tipping Suggestions:Gratuities are left to your discretion and always appreciated. It is our recommendation that the quality of service should determine the extent of any gratuity. We are pleased to provide you with the following guidelines. Please feel free to offer more if you receive superlative service.Driver guides:About €50 – €120 per day. Biking guides would be at the higher end of this scaleDrivers & One Day Guides:About €35 – €50 per day. Important the driver guide or driver will normally remove himself at meal times. However this time can be awkward for both guides and clients so if the clients would like to invite the guide or driver to join them they should make it very clear and would be expected to pay for the meal.Transfers: For a short Airport Transfer €5-10 is sufficient. For longer transfers €10-30.Restaurants:Generally there are three options, outlined on the menu.• A Service Charge of x % will apply" – this means what it says, your final bill will be subject to an additional charge; no further tips are necessary. • "Service included" – this means that the prices are a flat rate, no tips are required and the prices are final. Again if the server has been attentive a €5 or €10 left on the table will always be appreciated.• If none of these apply servers will usually expect a tip of around 10-15%Hotels:Service is always included and in general no tips are expected but they are welcome nonetheless. For excellent or unusual services a few Euros (the classic "fiver", a €5 note) are appropriate left for the housemaid or the porter who brings your bags up.Taxis:In Ireland tips are not really expected but no taxi driver will object if you round the bill up a bit to the nearest euro. In England the taxi drivers expect a 10% tip on the fare.Pubs:If you try to tip in a pub you'll more than likely earn a happy but incredulous stare!US Embassy:Mailing Address: 42 Elgin Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, IrelandTel: +353 1 668 8777Website: dublin.usembassy.gov