Ireland

SAFETY: excellent
The whole country is considered safe. There are no particular risks to report apart from petty crime (suburbs, large cities). A little care is advisable in some scenic spots, for example the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands.

TRANSPORT SYSTEM: excellent
A modern transport system covering the whole country (air, rail, bus, metro, tram, taxi, ferries) makes it possible to reach any destination. Hiring cars, motorbikes, campervans, bikes and boats is easy and convenient. Well connected to Italy and to all neighbouring countries.

Main airports: Cork, Dublin, Galway (Carnmore), Shannon, Sligo (Collooney), Waterford.

Main ports: Cork, Dublin, Shannon Foynes.

ACCOMMODATION: very good
Ireland offers a wide choice of accommodation of every kind, category and price. The international hotel classification (one to five stars) applies, and there are also farm stays, B&Bs, guesthouses, hostels, campsites and spa or wellness centres. The choice of restaurants is less varied.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Republic of Ireland – Location: island in Western Europe, bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the North Channel to the north-east – Time zone: UTC 0, i.e. -1 compared with Italy; daylight saving time applies – Area: 70,000 sq km – Capital: Dublin – Population: 4,109,000 – Religion: 88.4% Catholic, 3% Church of Ireland, 5.1% other religions, 3.5% non-religious – Languages: English, Irish Gaelic – Measurements: metric system and imperial system.

CURRENCY: euro– Credit cards: the most common cards are generally accepted.

ELECTRICITY: 230 V, 50 Hz – Sockets: three-pin flat-blade type; bring an adaptor.

DOCUMENTS: identity card valid for travel abroad – Driving: Italian driving licence. Driving is on the left – Car: for Italian vehicles, Italian third-party insurance is sufficient.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES:International dialling code: 00353– GSM: coverage across the whole country. Standard: GSM 900/1800 and 3G 2100 (as in Italy). Local operators: Hutchison 3G Ireland, Meteor Mobile, O2 and Vodafone Ireland– Internet: very widespread and available throughout the country – Web domain: .ie– Emergency numbers: police 16669200/6669600; assistance for tourists in difficulty 14785295; roadside assistance 1800667788.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Fri 9.00-17.30, Sat 9.00-13.00 – Banks: Mon-Fri 10.00-12.30, 13.30-16.00 – Shops: Mon-Sat 8.30-13.00, 15.30-19.30 – Closing day: Sunday.

RULES, LAWS AND CUSTOMS: drug use and/or dealing, even in minimal quantities, is punishable by imprisonment. Sexual abuse and violence against minors are also punished with imprisonment. Homosexuality is legal and same-sex unions are legally recognised. The legal age of consent is 17.

HEALTH: no compulsory vaccinations are required. Local medical and hospital facilities are of a good standard. Medicines are also readily available. Italian citizens on temporary visits who hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC/TEAM) receive the care provided by the local public health service.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 January, New Year's Day; 3 January; 17 March, St Patrick's Day, patron saint of Ireland; Good Friday; Easter Sunday; Easter Monday; first Monday in May, May Day; first Monday in June, Whit Monday; first Monday in August, August Bank Holiday weekend; last Monday in October, October Bank Holiday; 25 December, Christmas Day; 26 December, St Stephen's Day.

CLIMATE: temperate, softened by the Gulf Stream. The weather is extremely changeable, with showers alternating with long sunny spells. May and June are the best months to visit Ireland, as rainfall decreases and the climate is fairly mild. Summer is warm and rainy. Autumn and winter are wet and windy with mild temperatures; in the south-west in particular it never freezes or snows. The west coast, exposed to the Atlantic winds, is the wettest region.

Table of monthly max/min temperatures (in °C)

Rainy days (at least 1 mm of rain)/monthly rainfall in mm

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY 

Embassy and Consulate of Ireland
Villa Spada, Via G. Medici 1– 00153 Rome– Tel. 06 5852381– Fax 06 5813336– Web: www.ambasciata-irlanda.it

Consulate
Piazza Di Campitelli 3 – 00186 Rome (RM) – Tel. 06 6979121

Irish Tourist Board
P.zza Cantore 4 – 20123 Milan – Tel. 02 48296060 – Fax 02 58177309 – Web: www.irlanda-travel.com – E-mail: informazione@tourismireland.com

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN IRELAND

Italian Embassy

Northumberland Road 63 – Dublin 4 – Tel. 00353 1 6601744 – Fax 00353 1 6682759 – Web: www.ambdublino.esteri.it – E-mail: ambasciata.dublino@esteri.it