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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Visa requirements vary based on nationality. Check specific requirements on the Irish Immigration website.
VISA INFORMATION
WEATHER
Best Time to Visit: March to May and September to November for milder weather and fewer crowds. Summer (June to August) is warm and vibrant, while winter (December to February) is cold but relatively mild.
GENERAL INFORMATION
| Country: | Republic of Ireland |
| Capital City: | Dublin |
| International Airports: | Dublin Airport Cork Airport Shannon Airport Knock Airport Belfast Airport |
| Area: | 70,273 km² |
| Population: | 5.127 million (2024 est.) |
| Time Zone: | GMT/UTC, Irish Standard Time (UTC+01:00) |
| Religion: | Predominantly Christian (80%) |
| Language: | English |
| Currency: | Euro |
| Exchange Rate: | Fluctuates; consult local banks for current rates. |
| Credit Card Payment Availability: | Widely accepted in cities. Rural areas may require cash. |
| ATM Accessibility: | Plentiful in cities and larger towns. |
| Dialling Code: | +353 |
TRAVEL TIPS
| Electricity: | 230V/50Hz. Three-pronged plug type. |
| Water: | Safe to drink from the tap throughout Ireland. |
| Business Hours: | Shops usually 9:00 AM – 5:00/6:00 PM. Museums 10:00 AM – 5:00/6:00 PM (some closed on Mondays). |
| Banking Hours: | Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. |
| Photography Restrictions: | Generally allowed in public places For private property or individuals, it’s courteous to ask for permission. |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not obligatory but is appreciated for good service, typically around 10%. – For groups of six or more, a service charge may be included in the bill—check before adding an extra tip. – Bartenders are usually paid a living wage, so tipping for drinks at the bar is not expected and might even be considered inappropriate. However, tipping is more appropriate for table service in pubs. |
| Vaccination Requirements: | No specific vaccinations required. |
| Dress Code Restrictions: | Dress codes are generally only encountered at fine dining restaurants and some pubs where formal attire may be required. |
| Peculiar Customs to Observe: | It is a tradition in Ireland to thank the bus driver upon exiting, regardless of the journey’s length. Some Irish people greet magpies to prevent bad luck. |
FESTIVALS
- Cork Midsummer Festival
- Galway International Arts Festival
- Dublin Horse Festival
- Kilkenny Arts Festival
- Puck Fair
- Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival
- St. Patrick’s Day
- Dublin Film Festival
- Listowel Writers’ Week
- Rose of Tralee
- St. Albans International Organ Festival
- Another Love Story
- Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival
- Belfast TradFest
- Belgrade Irish Festival
- Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival
- Chamber Music on Valentia
- Fleadh Cheoil
- Galway Film Fleadh
- Samhain (31 October)
- Tradfest
- Dublin Lunar New Year
- Spraoi International Street Arts Festival
- West Cork Chamber Music
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“The British countryside is a place of enchantment, where every hill and valley tells a story and every season brings its own beauty.”
– Beryl Bainbridge