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A visit to Ireland is like a trip back in time. The landscape is littered with ancient ruins – from the Stone Age village at Lough Gur to the awe-inspiring Rock of Cashel in Tipperary.
Known as the Emerald Isle, Ireland is certainly green, but the term belies the amazing diversity of lanscape. County Wicklow, in the east, is wild and rugged, the haunt of fugitives in times gone by, while the west coast has the spectacular Cliffs of Moher and the Burren.
Ireland is a place apart from all others. It is a land of simple charms - of leprechauns and jaunting carts, castles and pubs, harps and poets. It is a land of quaint villages, narrow roads with signs sometimes only in Gaelic. Its people go about their day with a quiet prayer in the heart and a warmth for all around them. Ireland is a country where a traffic jam is usually with sheep and the worst of weather is often Irish mist. Come to Ireland and explore a land far from home but close to the heart.
The country is steeped in literary history. County Sligo has been immortalised in the poetry of W. B. Yeats. Dublin celebrates Bloomsday every June in memory of James Joyce's Ulysses and the magnificent Book of Kells, one of the world's finest illuminated manuscripts, can be seen at Trinity College.
With spectacular scenery, a rich history and countless cosy pubs in which to enjoy a pint, Ireland offers a relaxing break from the modern world
Literary imaginations have immortalized Ireland’s natural scenery since the ancient times of Celtic bards. Travelers who come to Ireland with this poetic imagery in mind won’t be disappointed: this largely agricultural and sparsely populated island has experienced little physical change over thousands of centuries. Spectacular, windswept scenery wraps around the coast, and small mountain chains punctuate interior expanses of bogland. Pockets of civilization dot the landscape, ranging in size from one-street villages to small market towns to a handful of cities. Dublin and Belfast have flowered into cosmopolitan urban centers, suffusing sophistication into all in their orbits. While some fear that the encroachment of international influences signifies the extinction of native folkways, the survival of traditional music, dance, storytelling, and pub culture in both rural and urban areas proves otherwise. The Irish language lives on in small, secluded areas known as gaeltacht, as well as on road signs, in national publications, and in a growing body of modern literary works. For international visitors, today’s Ireland promises an old-world welcome along with the edge of urban counter-cultures.
Although the chapters in Let’s Go: Ireland do not mirror these divisions, it’s useful to know that Ireland is traditionally divided into four provinces: Leinster, the east and southeast; Munster, the southwest; Connacht, the province west of the river Shannon; and Ulster, the north. Six of Ulster’s nine counties make up Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom. Under the 1998 Northern Ireland Peace Agreement, residents of Northern Ireland may choose whether to individually identify as Irish or British, but word choice can still be sticky. “Ireland” can mean the whole island or the Republic of Ireland, depending on who’s listening. “Ulster” is a term used almost exclusively by Protestants in Northern Ireland. It’s best to refer to “Northern Ireland” or “the North” and “the Republic” or “the South.” “Southern Ireland” is not a viable term.
IRELAND FACTS AND FIGURES
Capitals: Dublin (Republic or Ireland) and Belfast (Northern Ireland).
Populations: 3,619,480 people live in the Republic. 1,642,000 people live in Northern Ireland. More than 35% of the population of the Republic lives within 60 mi. of Dublin.
Land Area: 70,280 sq km
PORTRAITS OF THE ARTISTS
Ireland’s natural beauty and urban grime have inspired many centuries of superb literary output. Dublin has endured the caustic wit of Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, James Joyce, Sean O’Casey, Samuel Beckett, Brendan Behan, Flann O’Brien, and Roddy Doyle, to name but a few. W.B. Yeats scattered his poetic settings throughout the island, but he chose Co. Sligo for his gravesite. John Millington Synge found literary greatness by depicting the domestic squabbles of Aran Islanders. Seamus Heaney has compared the bogland’s fossilized remains of pre-Christian sacrifices to The Troubles of present-day Northern Ireland. In Belfast, Brian Moore and Paul Muldoon illustrate the everyday life of individuals in a city that receives world recognition only for its extraordinary events. Brian Friel’s plays bring to life the wilds and folkways of County Donegal. Limerick has had a successful facelift since the poverty-stricken days described by Frank McCourt in his childhood memoirs. Ireland’s ancient mythology is the most pervasive of all its literary forms; virtually every nook and cranny on the island is accountable to fairies, giants, gods, and even the occasional leprechaun.
GETTING GOOD CRAIC
Ireland’s small area is well-stocked with activities to suit the whims of hikers, bikers, esthetes, poets, birdwatchers, musicians, drinkers, and come what may. The west coast is spread with a gorgeous and dense concentration of natural wonders, including the limestone moonscape of The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher, which soar 700 ft. above the sea. The Ring of Kerry encircles a peninsula speckled with mountains and glens, waterfalls and lakes, and beaches and cliffs. The bizarre honeycomb columns of Giant’s Causeway spill out from the Antrim Coast, a long strip of rocky crags and white beaches.
The ancient peoples of Ireland had a taste for heavy rocks and underground chambers, resulting in structures that the passage of time has done little to demolish. In Co. Meath, the 5000-year-old passage-grave at Newgrange is an architectural feat that stumps present-day engineers. The nearby Hill of Tara has been the symbolic throne of sorts for Irish bigwigs from pre-Christian rulers, to St. Patrick, to 19th-century nationalists. On the limestone Rock of Cashel, a mish-mosh of early Christian structures pop up across the skyline, including a medieval cathedral and a celtic cross.
WHEN TO GO TO IRELAND
Timing is everything. Traveling during the low or off season (mid-Sept. to May) has its benefits: airfares are less expensive, and you won’t have to fend off flocks of fellow tourists. The flip side is that many attractions, hostels, bed and breakfasts (B&Bs), and tourist offices close in winter, and in some rural areas of western Ireland, local transportation drops off significantly or shuts down altogether. Most unfortunate are the short daylight hours in the winter, when the sun goes down at around 5pm.
Although festivities increase with the population during the summer, Ireland’s calendar of events is continually jam-packed. A thriving music scene fills pubs year-round, with increased performances in the summer. The acclaimed theater productions of Dublin and Belfast occur mostly during fall and winter. Countless music, film, arts, and, above all, region-specific festivals spring up practically every week; a visit during a town festival will meet an explosive display of excitement, community, and beer consumption. Although different festivals occur throughout the year, the summer months bear a high concentration of them.
The infamous rainy Irish weather is subject to frequent changes but relatively constant temperatures. The east and south coasts are the driest and sunniest, while western Ireland is wetter and cloudier. Spring is the driest season in Ireland, especially on the east coast. May and June are the sunniest months, particularly in the south and southeast, and July and August are the warmest. December and January have the worst weather of the year: wet, cold, and cloudy.
Time
Ireland follows GMT from October to March. From the last Sunday in March to the fourth Saturday in October Ireland is one hour ahead of GMT. Ireland is usually 5 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, however Ireland changes to and from daylight-saving time a few weeks before the United States of America, so time differences will occur in March and October. Ireland falls within one time zone.
Tourist Offices
The Irish Tourist Board is known as Bord Fáilte. There are tourist offices in most towns throughout the country. They are usually open from 09:00 to 18:00 during the week and from 09:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays. These hours may be extended during peak seasons and shortened during the winter.
Bord Failte - Tourist Information Office,
Baggot Street Bridge
Dublin 2
Ireland
Tel. 353-1-6765871
Catheral Close
Tullow Street
Carlow
Tel. 353-503-31554
Visas & Passports
A passport is required by all travellers except nationals of the United Kingdom and other European Union countries, who may carry a national ID card instead. There are no passport controls between the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Travellers from the United States of America require a visa for a stay of over three months.
Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia and Japan may be required to produce a return ticket.
Customs
No customs duty is paid on goods which have been bought in the European Union for personal use and have already had taxes paid on them. However there are certain restrictions which apply if goods have been purchased in duty-free stores. The restrictions are as follows:
200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 g smoking tobacco; 1 l spirits or 2 l alcoholic drinks (under 22% proof) and 2 l of table wine; 50 g of perfume or 250 ml of eau de toilette and goods to the value of IEP 142.00.
Money
The currency is known as the Irish punt or pound (IEP) and is divided into 100 pence. Notes are in denominations of IEP 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denomination of IEP 1.00 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 pence. .
Business Hours
Banks are open from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 13:30 to 16:00 during the week. In Dublin, banks stay open until 17:00 on Thursdays.
Post & Telecommunications
The postal system is efficient and airmail letters to North America take approximately ten days. Airmail letters to Europe take between three and five days.
The postage on a letter to a European Union country costs IEP 0.32, while to North America or Australia, it costs about IEP 0.40.
Telephones
International direct dialling is available. Telecom Éireann provides the country with a sophisticated digital system.
A local 5-minute phone call costs IEP 0.20. It is significantly cheaper to use a public telephone than to make calls from a hotel room. International rates vary with the time of day and distance. Calls to the United Kingdom cost less than IEP 0.40, while calls to Australia cost over IEP 1.00 per unit.
Phonecards, known as callcards, are available from post offices and newsagents.
The country code is 353.
Many hotels have fax facilities and the Central Post Office in O’Connell Street, Dublin, also offers a fax service.
Transport
Air transport
Aer Lingus is Ireland’s national airline and has routes to the USA and Europe. Ryanair is the other major Irish airline and flies similar routes. Aer Lingus also runs a domestic service. Aer Aran operates between Galway and the Aran Islands. Charter flights are also available.
Dublin Airport is situated about 8 km (5 miles) north of the city. There is a regular bus service from Abbey Street to the airport and the trip takes about 35 minutes.
Aer Lingus tel. 353-1-7052222
All other airlines tel. 35318444900
Flight information tel. 353-1-7056705
Cork International Airport is 8 km (5 miles) south-west of the city of Cork.
Tel. 353-21-313131
Fax. 353-21-313391
Shannon Airport is situated about 26 km (16 miles) west of Limerick.
Connaught Airport, which receives international flights only from the United Kingdom, is situated 11 km (7 miles) north of Claremorris in County Mayo. Waterford airport is situated about 6 km south of the city.
Buses
Bus Éireann (Irish Bus) operates a network of bus services throughout the country. National Express runs buses between Belfast, London and Dublin.
Within Dublin, there is a network of 120 routes. All buses start near O’Connell Bridge.
The main ticket office is situated at 59 Upper O'Connell Street. The telephone number for information is 353-1-8734222.
Trains
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) operates an express service between the main cities. A timetable is available online. For more information phone 353-1-8366222.
In Dublin, DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit System) links the city with the coast from Howth in the north to Bray in the south.
Ferries
Car ferries operate between France and Ireland, and Great Britain and Ireland with the following routes:
France–Ireland routes: Roscoff/St Malo/Cherbourg/Le Havre (France) to Cork (Ireland); Cherbourg/Le Havre (France) to Rosslare (Ireland)
Great Britain–Ireland routes: Swansea (Wales) to Cork (Ireland); Pembroke/Fishguard (Wales) to Rosslare (Ireland); Holyhead/Anglesey (Wales) to Dun Laoghaire/Dublin (Ireland)
Roads
Traffic drives on the left-hand side of the road. Road signs are international, although on the west coast, place names may be written only in Gaelic.
Safety belts must be worn by the driver and front-seat passenger. Motorcyclists must wear helmets.
An International Driver’s Licence or an EU Driving Permit is necessary when driving in Ireland.
Most petrol stations will accept credit cards, but in the remoter areas some may only accept cash.
Public Holidays
Ireland has ten public holidays. If St Patrick's Day or St Stephen's Day falls on a weekend, it is taken the following Monday.
Peak Seasons
Summer is the most popular time to visit Ireland as the weather is good and the days are long, it is often light until 22:00. The weather can be unpredictable in autumn and spring. During the off-season, mid-November to mid-February, prices are considerably cheaper, but the weather is very wet.
Electricity
The standard current is 220 volts AC 50 Hz. Most plugs have flat three-pins. Most adaptors can be purchased from electrical stores.
Disabled Travellers
Facilities for disabled travellers have improved over the last few years, but it is still advisable to check that individual establishments have the necessary facilities.
Budget Travel
The hostel association known as An Óige has over forty hostels throughout the country. The organisation can be contacted at :
61 Mountjoy Street South
Dublin 7
Tel. 353-1-8304555
Fax. 353-1-8305808
There are numerous independent hostels as well and Independent Holiday Hostels can be contacted at:
Tel. 353-1-8364700
Fax. 353-1-8364710
History
Human settlement is believed to have taken place around 6000 BC. Ireland has a wealth of early remains which are worth visiting. Dolmens, massive stone megalithic tombs, are scattered around the countryside. Perhaps the best example is Browne’s Hill near the town of Carlow. Stone circles dating from ancient times can also be visited. The remarkable archaeological site dating from the Stone Ages at Lough Gur in County Limerick contains a 4,000-year-old stone circle. The legendary Hill of Tara in County Meath contains a passage grave dating from 2500 BC, while in County Sligo legend has it that Queen Mab lies buried in the hilltop cairn grave.
Around 300 BC Celtic tribes moved into Ireland and formed a number of small kingdoms. These were loosely conglomerated in the five kingdoms of Ulster, Meath, Leinster, Munster and Connaught. Celtic rule lasted for about 1,000 years and had a profound influence on the Irish language and culture.
Although there were a few earlier missionaries, St Patrick is credited with Christianising Ireland and, legend has it, throwing all the snakes off the island in the 5th century. An extensive monastic life developed and Ireland became an important centre of learning. The outstanding 'Book of Kells', one of the world’s finest illuminated manuscripts can now be seen at Trinity College, Dublin. Early monastic remains can be seen in almost every county. One of the most interesting excursions is a boat trip around the Skellig Islands, off the coast of County Kerry, where the remains of monastic buildings can be seen on the rocky Skellig Michael. Be sure not to miss the Rock of Cashel in Tipperary, which was a symbol of power for both the church and the kings for over a thousand years.
In 795, Vikings invaded and plundered monasteries and settlements. Round towers were built at this time to act as lookout posts. The remains of many can still be seen throughout the country today. The Norse domination of much of the east coast ended in 1014 at the Battle of Clontarf.
During the 11th and 12th centuries, ecclesiastical reforms in Europe reached Ireland and dioceses were established with boundaries basically following those of the five kingdoms. In 1171, Henry II of England invaded Ireland and proclaimed himself overlord of the entire island. However the Anglo-Norman lords, who were sent to control Ireland, were soon assimilated into Gaelic Irish culture and only the area around Dublin remained loyal to the English king. This area was known as 'the Pale' and thus the expression 'beyond the Pale' was used to mean the area beyond control. The earls of Kildare were the real rulers, although officially deputies for the English crown.
After the Reformation in England, Henry VIII sought to break the power of the earls of Kildare. In 1535 he launched an attack on the property of the Catholic Church in Ireland and over the next few years the wealthy monasteries were dissolved. Conflict continued over the next century and in 1690 the Protestant King William of Orange defeated the Catholic forces at the Battle of the Boyne. This battle is still commemorated by Protestants in Northern Ireland. The Catholic leader signed the Treaty of Limerick in 1691, formalising the Irish surrender.
After the French Revolution, resistance to English rule increased. The Rising in 1798 saw some fierce fighting in Wexford. After a number of minor victories, the rebels were defeated at Vinegar Hill outside Enniscorthy. In 1800 the Act of Union was passed and on 1 January 1801 the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland came into existence. This was a very unpopular move in Ireland and matters were made even worse by the Great Famine of 1845-51. The potato crop, the staple food of the poor, failed year after year. About one million people died and another million emigrated. The Famine Museum in Strokestown, County Roscommon, has an extensive exhibit on this period of Ireland’s history.
After the famine, Fenianism, a revolutionary movement, was established. At about the same time Charles Stewart Parnell, an MP for County Meath, urged tenants to defy their landlords. Agitation continued as several attempts at gaining home rule failed. On Easter Monday of 1916 a group of republicans took hold of the key positions in Dublin, however within a week they had been defeated by British forces. Fifteen of the leaders of the uprising were shot and as a result became popular martyrs. In the 1918 general election the republicans won a large majority of Irish seats. Ireland was declared independent and the first Dáil Éireann (house of representatives), was formed. Inevitably conflict resulted with Britain and the Anglo-Irish War lasted until 1921, when the south of Ireland was recognised as the Irish Free State. Northern Ireland remained part of the United Kingdom.
The new constitution was ratified in 1937 and Ireland became known as Éire.
Government
The Republic of Ireland, or Éire, is divided into twenty-six counties. These are divided into thirty-two Administrative Counties, with Tipperary divided into two ridings and Dublin into three. The cities of Cork, Dublin, Limerick and Waterford have county borough status. The capital is Dublin.
The parliament, or Oireachtas, consists of the president of Ireland, a house of representatives and a senate. The president is elected for a seven-year term. The house of representatives, or Dáil Éireann, has 166 members who are elected by citizens over the age of 18. The senate, or Seanad Éireann, has sixty members, eleven of which are nominated by the prime minister and forty-nine by various vocational, economic and cultural constituencies. The prime minister, John Bruton, is head of government, while the president, Mary Bourke Robinson, is chief of state. The next elections are due to be held in November 1997.
The prime minister, John Burton, is head of the Fine Gael party, which holds about a quarter of the seats in the house of representatives. John Burton heads a three-party coalition consisting of the Fine Gael, the Labour Party and the Democratic Left. The Fianna Fail holds the most seats in the house of representatives. Other political parties include the Labour Party, the Progressive Democrats, the Democratic Left and Sinn Fein.
Freedom of the press is guaranteed by the constitution, however the Censorship of Publications Act prohibits publication of anything which undermines Roman Catholic morality.
Economy
Agriculture is an important sector of the Irish economy, with beef and dairy farming being its most important elements. The textile, chemical and electronics industries are developing quickly, while the service industry has been very important during the last decade. Tourism is an increasingly important industry. Deposits of natural gas and oil have been discovered off the south coast. Inflation is low at about 3% and the annual economic growth rate is about 5%. Ireland also has a trade surplus, but unemployment, at about 15% of the workforce, is still a problem.
Chambers of Commerce
22 Merrion Square
Dublin 2
Tel. 353-1-6612888
Fax. 353-1-6612811
Population
The population estimate in 1995 was 3,550,000. The population density is approximately 50.5 people per km². Generally, the Irish people are fair-skinned and dark-haired, with quite a number of redheads.
Language
Gaelic is the official language, although it is mainly spoken along the western seaboard. English is more widely spoken, usually with a pleasant lilting accent.
Religion
Almost 95% of the population are Roman Catholic.
Art & Culture
Ireland’s rich cultural past is in evidence almost everywhere you go, from the round towers dating back to the 9th century to the fine Georgian architecture around Fitzwilliam and Merrion Squares in Dublin. Ruins of castles and abbeys dot all the counties, while the many stone circles invoke a sense of the pagan past.
Ireland is famous for its contribution to the arts. Famous Irish writers include James Joyce, W. B. Yeats, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, and more recently Samuel Beckett, Roddy Doyle and Edna O’Brien. In terms of music U2 is Ireland’s most successful band, but The Chieftains, Sinéad O’Connor, Chris de Burgh and The Cranberries have also done well internationally.
Archeological Sites
The Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary should not be missed. The Rock, a huge piece of limestone, dominates the surrounding countryside. The site includes a round tower, a 12th-century Romanesque chapel, the ruins of an abbey and several high crosses.
Tel. 353-62-61437
The Hill of Tara in County Meath was a centre for pagan worship in early times. The site includes a passage grave dating from 2500 BC.
Museums
The 'Book of Kells', one of the finest medieval illuminated manuscripts still in existence, can be found in the Trinity College Library in Dublin.
The Pighouse Folk Museum in County Cavan contains an interesting collection of artefacts from Irish daily life.
Tel. 353-49-37248
The Famine Museum in County Roscommon commemorates the Great Famine of the 19th century.
Tel. 353-78-33013
Other museums in Dublin include:
Dublin Civic Museum
Dublin Jewish Museum
Dublin Writers Museum
James Joyce Cultural Centre
Kilmainham Gaol Historical Museum
National Library of Ireland
National Museum of Ireland: The "Or" and Treasury Collections
Local Art
Art galleries in Dublin include:
Douglas Hyde Gallery
Gallery of Photography
Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art
Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) – housed in the former Royal Hospital
The National Gallery in Merrion Square, Dublin, has a large collection of Irish art.
Theatres
The Abbey Theatre, which can be found on Abbey Street Lower, Dublin 1, presents new and old Irish plays.
Food & Drink
Irish stew is the best known Irish dish and most meals are centred around meat. Fish is usually eaten on Fridays, following Catholic tradition. A cooked breakfast, known as the ‘pan’ is common, and tea, eaten in the early evening, is a fairly large meal consisting of sandwiches and cakes.
Pubs are a way of life in Ireland and even the smallest town will have a few locals. Pubs are open from 10:30 to 23:30 during summer and to 23:00 during the rest of the year. On Sundays, pubs are open from 12:30 to 14:00 and from 16:30 to 23:00.
Guinness, a thick, black stout, is a popular drink. So, too, is whiskey, with Jamesons, Old Bushmills and Tullamore Dew being popular brands.
Entertainment
The pubs are the most important form of entertainment, with many offering live music and good craic (good company and conversation). Medieval banquets are popular with visitors. Bunratty Castle in County Clare holds regular banquets and is probably the most well known for this form of entertainment.
The larger towns have a good choice of cinemas and theatres.
Shopping
County Galway is famous for its Aran sweaters, while County Donegal is a good place to buy tweed garments. Irish linen is of high quality and can be purchased throughout the county.
Waterford crystal is famous and can be found throughout the country.
Irish whiskey is distinctive from Scotch and Bushmills and Tullamore Dew are well-known and can be purchased in most parts of the country.
Parks & Reserves
Connemara National Park in Galway covers an area of 2,000 hectares. The mountains include a number of the Twelve Bens and the Polladirk River flows through the park. There are a number of good walks, but sturdy boots are recommended.
Glenveagh National Park in Donegal covers 10,000 hectares. The park contains Glenveagh Castle, which was modelled on Balmoral. The castle has been restored and is surrounded by magnificent gardens.
The Wicklow Mountains National Park, in Wicklow, covers the Glenealo Valley and is home to deer and a variety of birds.
While not a national park, the Burren area in County Clare is a remarkable place and is a must-see. The limestone landscape has numerous caves and unique flora. Mediterranean, alpine and arctic plants grow side by side. The area has a rich birdlife and many different species of butterfly. The Burren Way is a 45-km walk through this area. Sights and attractions along the way include the Cliffs of Moher and Doolin, a good place to hear some traditional Irish music.
Sport
Gaelic football and hurling are Ireland’s national sports. There are about 200 golf courses and golfing holidays are popular. Horse riding is another popular activity and there are numerous stables throughout the country. A list of stables is available from the Irish Tourist Board.
Ireland is a fisherman’s paradise with excellent freshwater and sea angling. The brown trout season is usually from mid-February or March to the end of September. A licence is required for game fishing, contact the Irish Tourist Board. March to October are the best months for bream, dace, perch, roach and rude fishing.
Festivals
| March |
Dublin Film Festival |
| March 17 |
St Patrick’s Day |
| April |
An Feel Pan-Celtic Festival, Trail in County Kerry |
| May |
Royal Dublin Society Spring Show |
| May |
Baltimore Seafood Festival (Bantry) |
| June |
Festival of Music in Great Irish Houses |
| June |
Festival of Music in Great Irish Houses, in Dublin |
| June |
County Wicklow Gardens Festival |
| June 16 |
Bloomsday, Dublin |
| July |
Galway Arts Festival |
| July |
Gerald Manley Hopkins Summer School, Dublin |
| August |
Rose of Tralee, County Kerry |
| September |
Hurling and Gaelic Football finals |
| October |
Cork Jazz Festival |
| October/November |
Wexford Opera Festival |
Climate
The most important thing to remember about the Irish climate is that rain can fall all year round and its recommended that you pack rainwear or an umbrella, or both. The west coast receives the most rainfall and rain has been known to fall on over 270 days in a year.
The Irish climate is temperate with warm summers, mild autumns and springs, and cold winters. Winter temperatures are usually above freezing and snow is infrequent. January and February are the coldest months of the year and the average minimum temperature is 4 °C (39 °F). The warmest months are July and August and the average maximum temperature is 23 °C (73 °F). Summer days are long with up to eighteen hours of sunlight at the height of summer.
Geography
The area of the Republic of Ireland is just over 70,000 km² (27,027 miles²). The central plain is surrounded by a ring of mountain and hills, with spectacular cliffs on the western seaboard. The River Shannon, flowing for 259 km (160 miles), is the longest in Ireland and Great Britain. The soil is much more fertile in the east, but the scenery is generally better in the west.
Health
European Union citizens are eligible for medical care in Ireland on production of an E111 form, usually without payment. Travellers from other countries are advised to take out health insurance. Inoculations are not necessary when travelling to Ireland.
If you are involved in an accident or other medical emergency, call the emergency operator on 112 from any telephone, and ask for the ambulance service. No coins or phonecards are required to call this number from a public phone.
If you require medication, be sure to bring an adequate supply with you. Prescriptions must be written under Irish law before they can be dispensed and this would involve a consultation with an Irish doctor, and perhaps other complications.
Condoms are readily available from pharmacies and vending machines.
Safety
The crime rate is relatively low in Ireland, but Dublin has a reputation for plenty of car break-ins. In the city, it is advisable to park in a secure parking area.
It is advisable to lock your passport and valuables in the hotel safe. Do not carry large amounts of cash on you and beware of pickpockets. Do not leave valuables exposed in a parked car. The loss of a passport should be reported immediately to the local police and your embassy. Police stations are known as Garda Síochána.
The political troubles in Northern Ireland have not affected life in the Republic of Ireland in any major way. In February 1996, the Provisional Irish Republican Army announced the end of a ceasefire. While there is always the danger that violence in Northern Ireland may spill over into Ireland, the chance of this is small.
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