TRAVEL TO IRELAND
We have gathered some useful information to help you plan and best prepare for your next adventure to Ireland! Browse through the information below or visit our travel bonanza for more stories and tips!
HEALTH AND SAFETY
EU / EEA citizens are entitled to emergency care in Ireland under the EHIC in public hospitals. As in other countries, private travel insurance will insure against hefty health treatment bills.
Generally pharmacies across Ireland are open between 9am - 6pm Monday to Friday and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays, but often pharmacies run extended opening hours until 8 or 9pm and some are also open on Sundays. There is always a local pharmacy open for local after hours service.
Ireland is a safe country to travel with comparably low crime levels. As in any country or social situation, always be mindful of your personal belongings.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Citizens from the EU/EEA will require a valid passport upon entering Ireland. IrelandIreland is not part of the Schengen area, so it is always necessary to go through immigration upon arrival.
Unless traveling from states with visa exemption agreements with the EU, non-EU citizens will require a Visa upon entering Ireland. Please check with your consular services if you are unsure.
SARS-COV2 INFORMATION
You can find up-to-date health and safety advice in relation to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic and traveling to and in Ireland on the pages of the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs
MONEY AND PRICE LEVEL
Ireland is part of the eurozone. Twenty-four hours ATMs can be found anywhere in Ireland, usually they have a maximum daily withdrawal of € 200 or € 400, depending on the area. All ATMs have on-screen instructions in Gaelic and English and often other languages. Banks are the easiest place to exchange money and charge a small commission between 3 and 5%. Debit and credit cards, especially visa and mastercard, are widely accepted and chahsless payment is very common. Most taxis now accept credit card payments, but if you are using public transport and are on the go in more rural areas, it is advisable to always carry some cash for small expenses.
Compared to other European countries, Ireland is a fairly expensive country. While you can enjoy a decent one portion meal in a pub for around € 15,00, prices in restaurants tend to be higher starting around € 8,00 for a starter or dessert and from € 18,00 for a main. Quite often, restaurants and pubs offer early bird meals with two or three course menus for around € 30,00 - € 35,00. Drinks are expensive in Ireland, a pint of beer rarely comes under € 5,50 (depending on the region, € 6,50 in Dublin city) while a bottle of house wine is usually priced from € 25,00. A soft drink or coffee/cappuccino costs around € 3,50. Guinness is quite often the cheapest drink on the menu and water from the tab is free.
Price levels in supermarkets also tend to be higher, though it depends on the shop. Larger supermarkets are usually more price sensitive on everyday items than smaller chains.
OPENING HOURS
Shops - Monday - Friday 8am - 10pm, Saturday and Sundays 9am - 7pm
Banks - Monday - Friday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Post offices - Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
ELECTRICITY
The electrical supply in Ireland is 230v/50hz. Plugs and sockets operate using three pros and plug adapters are widely available.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
January 1
New Years Day
First Monday in February
St Bridgid's Day
March 17
St. Patrick's Day
Monday after Easter
Easter Monday
First Monday in May
May Bank Holiday
First Monday in June
June Bank Holiday
First Monday in August
August Bank Holiday
Last Monday in October
October Bank Holiday
December 25
Christmas Day
December 26
St. Stephen's Day
FESTIVITIES & EVENTS
Dublin
Tradfest celebrating traditional music in pubs and bars around Temple Bar
Late January / early February
Dublin
International Film Festival
Late February / early March
All Ireland
St. Patrick's Day Festival with local parades, processions and festivities
Week leading up to St. Patrick's Day
Dublin
World Irish Dancing Championships
April
Belfast
Belfast City Marathon
Early May
Lisburn
May Day Races
May
Dublin
International Literature Festival
May
Wicklow
Wicklow Arts Festival
Late May
Kilkenny
Cat Laughs Comedy Festival
Kilkenny
Dublin
Taste of Dublin Food Festival
Mid June
Dublin
James Joyce Bloomsday Festival
June 11 - 16
Cork
Arts Festival
Mid June
The Curragh / Kildare
Irish Derby / major horse racing event
Late June
Northern Ireland
Battle of Boyne Commemoration, highly controversial Protestant celebrations with parades
July 12
Galway
Galway Arts Festivals with live performances, music and street art
Last two weeks in July
Galway
Galway Races - major horse racing event
10 days in late July / early August
All Ireland / changing location
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann - major traditional music festival
mid August
Carrickfergus
Lughnasa Fair - medieval festival
mid August
Dublin
Dublin horse show
mid August
Kilkenny
Kilkenny Arts Festival
mid August
Kilorglin
Puck Fair - Merrymaking festival with music, parades and fireworks
mid August
Tralee
Rose of Tralee - beauty and talent pageant week long event
mid August
All Ireland
National Heritage Week
Late August
Stradbally
Electric Picnic - major music festival
Early September
Lisdoonvarna
Match-making festival
Late August
All Ireland
National Heritage Week
September
Dublin
All Ireland GAA Championship Finals
Two weekends in September
Galway
Galway Oyster Festival
Late September / early October
Kinsale
Kinsale Gourmet Food Festival
Mid October
Cork
Jazz Festival
Late October
Dublin
Dublin City Marathon
Late October
Wexford
Wexford Opera Festival
Late October / early November
Cork
Film-Festival
Mid November
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