• 
• i am offline

Where is Ireland?.....Bouncing off the northwest outline of Europe into the Atlantic,Ierland is a mere eleven miles away from Scotland at its nearest point,the port of Larne in Northern Ireland.It's the westermost,most maritime outpost of Europe,parrallel whith Whales,Scotland,southern Scandinavia,and the"next parish over"to Nova Scotia in Canada.This explains why summer nights are very white,its light until past 10p.m. in June,when people hardly sleep and party madly,so inturn inhabitants feel less lively in winter.The most popular months are July and August,when events like the Royal Dublin Horse Show or music festivals or fleadhs around the island draw crowds,and days are extra long.A heat wave over in Ierland means temperatures sometimes soar into the high 60'sF.The main average temp is 64 degrees F in summer,dropping to the low 40's in winter.The times you should avoid,are when the big public holidays are going on.Everything shuts down.

WHAT TO WEAR: Dress codes are simply not a problem,unless you visit one of the nudest beaches that have taken over small pieces of the coastline.No need to worry about suits or ties,unless your a CEO,or government minister,although socially conscious Dubliners like to spiff it up for occasions.What you'll need against the element is a jacket and sweater,and rain gear.

Visa/Permits:You will need an uptodate passport,it takes about five weeks to renew or apply for a U.S. passport.Most visitors don't need a visa.If your visiting from the UK you dont need a passport either.

Customs and Arrival:The same regulations apply as to all European Union countries when you arrive from anywhere outside of Ireland and the United Kingdom,this means:You cand bring in 200 cigarettes,1 liter of spirits,2 liters of wine,50g of perfume and 250ml of toilet water plus goods to the value of 34 Irish pounds if you arrive from America.If traveling from Britain or Northern Ireland,however,no duty-frees can be imported.agricultural items often need special clearance.

Getting around Ireland:dublin airport is approximatley seven miles north of the city center.If you arrive in dublin and see a bus with "Busaras"or "An Lar" on the front outside terminal,its going to the main bus station or O'Connell Bridge in the heart of Dublin.Take it unless carrying heavy luggage,it is cheaper than taking a taxi.Renting cars can be necessary evils,the run$250-300 per wk,Get them in advance there usually cheaper.Yes you do drive on the left side of the road,although you may notice people amble,and often the roads are too narrow to have more than one lane anyway.The speed limit is 30mph in town and 70mph on the freeway.You can also get around on bikes,trains, or even a horse-drawn gypsy caravan,and barges.You dont want to get a drunk driving ticket here either they are out of this world.

TIME:Ireland follows (GMT),which means that it is five hours ahead of American Eastern Standard Time and one hour behind continental Europe.Thus when it is noon in Ireland it is:

4a.m. in Sanfrancisco

7a.m in New York

12p.m. in London

1p.m. in Paris

8p.m. in Hong Kong

9p.m. in Tokyo

10p.m. in Sydney

Business Hours:Mondat to friday from around 9a.m. t0 5p.m. is the norm.

Money:The official currency is the Irish punt,which comes in pound coins and smaller denominations,and notes of 5,10,20,50,and 100.You can change money in any Irish bank, or atm which belongs to the Cirrus or Plus network.You dont have to tip everywhere here since a tip is often included in the charge on a meal check,a waiter would expect about 10% or more if your check dose not specify an included charge.Now on the other hand the "Round" system is a matter of protocall ---if someone buys you a drink,you become a member of the round buying club and its your turn next.....

Police:The gardai or Irish police are large country boys,usually friendly towards tourist.Unless you look asthough you where smuggling heroin you should get along very well with them.

Media/Newspapers:The Irish Times is the daily paper of record and there is also the Irish Independent,the Sunday Tribune,Sunday Independent,and various local papers.In Dublin is the "Whats On" weekly and provides listings for theater and movies and information about shopping,galleries,museum,and more.

Postage/Phone/Fax/E-Mail:

The main General Post Office is in O'Connell street,705-7000,

Hours are as follows:

Mon-Sat.8a.m.-8p.m.

Sun.10a.m.-630p.m.

Local post offices are open Mon-Fri 10a.m-530p.m. Sat 9a.m.-1p.m. and have green"an Post "signs.

Irish post offices can often supply you with phone cards.Dont let the Irish phones get the better of you,it will be a hard fight but they will be irksome if you use change because transatlantic calls are tricky without calling card numbers,phone cards or a kind friend who will let you use theirs via an operator who tells you how much it knocks you back."knock" may be the word,phone calls are expensive here.At the same time you will people on cellphones everywhere,and all the time.Fax machines are found in hotels,some post offices,somecopying shops,and there are cybercafe's in Dublin,Cork,andGalaway.Allthis can turn out to be not as easy as it sounds.

Customs:People in Ireland are pretty easygoing.If you arrive on the dot for an appointed time and your friend is 10 min late,thats Irish time.Relax and dont get your knickers in a twist.

A word about "Rounds"in pubs.As I said before its not that nobody minds being thought a fool here,but the locals hate to be thought cheap even more.They are more than happy to be generous,the follow up is,respond in kind.As a rule, The Topics in Northern Ireland and Abortion are the two most sensitive issues in any conversation.Just a warning,you could be sadly wrong in your guesses about your audiences feelings.

Holidays/Event:

New Years-Jan 1st

Saint Patricks Day-Mar 17

Easter Weekend-Mar or Apr

May Day-first mon. in May

June Holiday-first monday in June

August Holiday-first mon.in Aug.

October Holiday-last mon.in oct.

Christmas Day-

Saint Stephens Day or Boxing Day-Dec 26

Sundays are still the day when most shops are closed,but not corner convinience stores or newsagents.Try not to arrive on good friday,when peopele shut down for 4 days over easter,even a good drink is hard to find.Ditto for Christmas.