Practical Information
Banking/Currency
The unit of currency is the Euro and each Euro has 100 cent. The Banks open from Monday to Friday between the hours of 1000hrs - 1600hrs. Many banks stay open until 1700hrs on Thursdays or Fridays. Visitors are advised to change their bank notes at Banks and Bureau de Change centres to get the best exchange rate. Most credit cards, including cards carrying the Eurocheque symbol are accepted in hotels, restaurants, petrol stations, clothing and gift shops. ATM machines are widely available and the main credit cards are widely accepted. The larger Tourist Information Centres (hyperlink to TIO section) have Bureau de Change facilities, as do all banks. Money Transfer can be organised through Western Union Money Transfer. Freephone 1800 395 395, Credit Cards 1800 695 695. This company provides a service from 110 countries and has more than 250 outlets in Ireland. The service is also available from some of our larger Tourist Information Centres.
Business/Shopping Hours
All shops are generally open from 0900hrs to 1730hrs Monday to Saturday. Many small local shops and grocery shops in villages and small towns open daily until 2200hrs. Shopping centres normally have one or two late night openings each week. Some shopping centres are also open on Sunday afternoons. Duty-free shopping is available at Shannon International Airport and Cork and on-board ferries.
Climate
Influenced by the Gulf Stream, Ireland has a mild temperate climate with summer temperatures generally ranging from 14 to 16 degree Celsius (60-70 degree Fahrenheit). The temperatures in Spring and Autumn are generally around 10 degree Celsius (50 degree Fahrenheit) and in Winter between 4 and 7 degrees Celsius (30-40 degree Fahrenheit). For a detailed Irish weather forecasts visit the Met Eireann website. The Discover Lough Derg website provides a three day and seven day forecast service for you.
Clothing
Casual wear, sweaters, and jeans for touring; jacket and tie or cocktail dress for fine dining. Rainwear and comfortable shoes are advisable.
Electricity
The electrical supply throughout the Region and Ireland is 230 volts (50 cycles). Plugs are 3 pin flat. Adapters are therefore required for 2 pin appliances. En-suite bathroom shaving points normally have 110 and 240 volt outlets for shavers only.
Emergency Services
In Ireland, the general Emergency Telephone number is 999 or 112 - no coins required in telelphone coin boxes. These numbers will alert the appropriate service - Fire, Gardai (Police), Lifeboat ,Coastal, Mountain and Cave Rescue Services. Telephone numbers of Garda Stations are listed in the green bordered pages at the front of the Telephone Directories under "Garda Siochana". A victim support 24 hour helpline number is 1800-661771.
Health and Medical Treatment
The Irish National Health Plan does not cover visitors from the United States or Canada. Ask you insurance agent or broker before your travel if your health plan does not include Ireland. EU Citizens are entitled to free hospital treatment in a public ward and should procure an E111 form prior to departure. This should be presented to the doctor along with identification, if and when required. If you think you are entitled to benefits, you should apply within three days of becoming ill to: Department of Social Welfare, EU Records, Floor 1, O’Connell Bridge House, Dublin 2. Visitors from other countries should check with their insurance agents or brokers before travelling.
Main Hospitals
The Limerick Regional Hospital, Limerick (Tel. +353 61 301111) is the major hospital in the Shannon Region.
Ennis General Hospital, Ennis, Co Clare. Tel: +353 (0) 65 68 24464
St. Joseph's Hospital, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary Tel: +353 (0)67 31491
University College Hospital, Galway Tel No.: +353 91- 524 222; is the major Hospital in Co Galway.
Merlin Park Regional Hospital, Galway Tel No.: +353 91- 757 631
Portiuncula Hospital Ballinasloe, Co. Galway Tel: 0905 48200
Language
Though Irish is the first official language of the State, English is spoken everywhere in the Ireland. Irish is spoken in "Gaeltacht" areas and in some rural areas. If you get the opportunity, try a traditional greeting Dia Dhuit pronounced dia guit! which is the Irish for Hello.
Newspapers
Newspapers have been published in Ireland for over 300 years. There are six national morning daily papers: The Irish Independent; The Irish Times; The Examiner; The Star; The Belfast Newsletter and The Irish News. Two evening newspapers are published The Evening Herald and the Evening Echo. There are also extensive local papers normally printed and circulated for the weekends.
Parking
The control of on-street parking is the responsibility of the Local Authority. Each Authority decides on the parking controls that are introduced within its area and sets the level of on street parking fees. Some larger towns have multi-story car parks, ‘Pay and Display’ car parks and disc parking is also operated in certain towns. Always check on parking requirements in cities, towns and at visitor attractions, etc. In the majority of the towns, villages and harbours around Lough Derg, there is ample free parking.
Passports/Visas
Tel: + 353 1 4780822 Web: www.foreignaffairs.gov.ie Ireland has Diplomatic Relations with 107 countries. The Department of Foreign Affairs can provide you with a list of countries with which Ireland has diplomatic relations. For the latest information on passports and visa requirements for Ireland, contact the Department of Foreign Affairs 80 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland. British born citizens when travelling to Ireland do not require passports, but should however carry photo identification identification. Visitors from all other countries must carry a valid passport.
Pets: Cats / Dogs
There are no restrictions, provided your pet is coming directly from Britain, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. Pet Dogs and Cats entering the UK from the continent can travel on to Ireland without the need for quarantine, provided they have come along routes approved under the terms of the UK Pets Pilot Project. For further information regarding the conditions of the PETS Pilot project please contact/see: Telephone: 00 44 870 241 1710 Fax: 00 44 207 904 6834 E-mail: pets@ahvg.maff.gsi.gov.uk. Web: www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine.co.uk. Ireland are not operating the pilot scheme and, for the present, the existing quarantine requirements will continue to apply for animals entering Ireland directly from outside the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. Likewise the free movement regime of pet cats and dogs between Ireland and the UK, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man will be maintained.
Population
The population of the Republic Ireland (26 counties) is over 3.5 million. Dublin is the largest City with over one million inhabitants, Cork the second largest city and Limerick, Capital of the Shannon Region, is the third largest with a population of over 75,000 www.limerickcoco.ie and www.Limerick.ie
Lough Derg and the River Shannon is bordered by a number of counties including, North Tipperary (population 61,010) www.northtippcoco.ie whose administrative capital is Nenagh, Clare (population 110,950) www.clare.ie whose administrative capital is Ennis and Galway (population 159,256 www.galway.ie ) whose administrative capital is in Galway City. All of these organisations are part of the Lough Derg Marketing group and have supported te development of the www.discoverloughderg,ie website.
Post Offices
Post offices are normally open from 0900hrs to 1730hrs Monday to Friday and 0900hrs to 1300hrs on Saturday. The opening times in the main urban centres may be extended on Saturdays. Almost every town and village in around Lough Derg has a main post office or a sub post office. The main post offices nearest to Lough Derg would be in Limerick, Nenagh, Killaloe-Ballina, Scarriff, Birr and Portumna. Web: www.anpost.ie
Public Holidays 2008
The following are the 2008 public holidays in the Republic of Ireland. All Banks and most companies and shops are closed on these days: New Years Day - January 01; St. Patrick’s Day - March 17; Good Friday - March 21; Easter Monday – March 24; May Holiday - May 05; June Holiday - June 02; August Holiday - August 04; October Holiday - October 27; Christmas Day - December 25; St. Stephen’s Day - December 26.
Public Transport
In the Republic of Ireland, the State Transport Authority, C.I.E. (Coras Iompair Eireann) is the umbrella body for three companies Dublin Bus Service, Bus Eireann (servicing large towns in Ireland by bus) and Iarnrod Eireann (Irish Rail). Iarnrod Eireann operate Intercity trains.For bus and trains information within Ireland.
Bus: Tel: +353 (0) 1 836 6111 (Bus Eireann). Or visit their website at www.buseireann.ie.
Rail: Tel: +353 (0) 1 836 6222 (Irish Rail). Or visit their website at www.irishrail.ie.
There are also private coach operators. See also Getting Around section for links on public and private transport.
Cabs & Taxis
There are metered cabs (also called taxis) available at various locations such as railway stations, ports, airports and taxi ranks in main cities. Elsewhere it is possible to book hackney cabs where fares are agreed by arrangement with the driver in advance. Details are available in the telephone directories and from your information and tourism service provider.
Radio and Television
Radio Telefis Eireann(RTE) is the Irish national broadcasting company and they operate Radio 1, 2FM, FM3, Radio na Gaeltachta (Irish Language Service) and Lyric FM (classical music). To-Day FM is also a national radio station. National television channels include; RTE 1, Network 2, TV 3, and TG 4 (Irish Language Channel). There are also local radio stations which provide local news information and music including Clare FM, Galway Bay FM, lIMERICK 95FM and Spin FM. The daily newspapers include information on TV and radio programmes and weekly TV / Radio guides are available from newsagents.
Roads/Driving in Ireland
The measurement of speed limits on Irish roads are kilometres per hour (km/h). In addition, there have been significant changes to speed limits on certain roads and some new vehicle speed limits. The new speed limits are:
• Towns & Cities - 50km/h
• Regional (R) and Local Roads (L) (White Signs) - 80km/h
• National Roads(N) (Green Signs) - 100km/h
• Mototways (M) (Blue Signs) - 120km/h
• Buses and Coaches (with accommodation for more than 8 passengers) 80 km/h
• Towing Vehicles - 80km/h
Driving is on the left hand side of the road throughout Ireland and drivers and passengers must wear seat belts. Motorcyclists and pillion passengers must wear crash helmets. Always abide by the circular speed limit road signs. Speed limits and drink driving regulations are strictly enforced.
Sales Tax Refunds
The price of most goods includes value-added tax, or VAT. Non EU (European Union) visitors can have this sales tax refunded at the end of your trip. There are facilities within Shannon and Cork Airports departures lounge to process this refund. Be sure to ask for a tax- free shopping form with each purchase and follow the instructions for completion.
Smoke Free At Work
From March 29 2004 most enclosed places of work in Ireland became smoke free. This important health measure is about allowing people to work and socialise in a clean and healthy smoke-free environment. Most work places will be covered by this but there are some exceptions:
Places that are similar to a private dwelling such as bedrooms in hotels, guesthouses, hostels and B&B's. Outdoor locations such as beer gardens and smoking shelters, provided they comply with the legislation For further information please go to www.smokefreeatwork.ie
Signposts
Signposting is generally in English and Irish. However, signposting in Gaeltacht or Irish speaking areas may appear in the Irish language only, so consult your maps carefully. On the main Irish road signs distances are displayed in kilometers on green and white signs. However, some of the older black and white signs still remain and distances on these are in miles.
Telephones
To ring an Irish telephone number from outside Ireland first dial 00-353, then drop the 0 at the beginning of the Irish area dialling code. For example the telephone number for Shannon Airport Tourist Information Centre is 061 471664; however to call it from abroad dial 00-353-61-471664. Dialling codes are not necessary when you are making a call within the same dialling code number area. Dialling Codes from Ireland to our main markets are as follows: Australia: 0061; Belgium: 0032; Britain: 0044; Canada: 001; Denmark: 0045; Finland 00358; France 0033; Germany: 0049; Italy: 0039; Malta: 00356; Netherlands: 0031; Norway: 0047; Spain: 0034; Sweden: 0046; Switzerland: 0041 and USA: 001 Signal coverage for mobile phones in the Shannon Region is generally very good with the exception of some hilly areas. For directory enquiries for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland telephone 11811 and for Britain and International enquiries telephone 11818.
Tipping
In restaurants and taxis it is customary to add a gratuity of approximately 10% to the bill. In some restaurants, Service Charge is already included in the bill as presented to the customer. It is good to see professional service rewarded by a satisfied customer.
Registered Tour Guides
If you require the services of a registered tour guide, you should contact FIGI (The Federation of Irish Guiding Interests). Tel +353 1 278 1626 or visit their website at www.tourguides.ie.
