Ireland

Ireland (Irish: Eire) is part of an island situated in the North Atlantic Ocean in northwest Europe. The Irish Sea separates Ireland from Great Britain. The distance by popular ferry route from the capital city of Dublin to Liverpool is approximately 220 km (137 miles) – although this is not the narrowest point between the two countries. The Republic of Ireland covers the majority of the island and Northern Ireland (which is part of the United Kingdom) occupies the northeast portion.

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The Republic of Ireland joined the EU in 1973 and currency is the euro.  English is the main spoken language, although Gaelic (Irish) is also spoken.
Ireland, also known as the Emerald Isle for it’s lush green countryside, is much-loved for many reasons including its friendly and outgoing people, lively Irish folk music, St Patrick’s Day celebrations, Guinness and leprechauns (often in that order!)!

Any trip to Ireland will usually include a visit to the lovely capital city of Dublin with all its famous sights.

The southwest of Ireland encompasses the Cork Kerry area, which is one of the most popular destinations in Ireland for its miles of beautiful coastline, mountains, rivers and lakes. County Cork is popular for outdoor activities and water sports, including golf, cycling, hiking and fishing. The area also offers plenty of cultural activities with its many museums and castles.  Blarney Castle is the location of the famous Blarney Stone where, according to legend, kissing the stone will bestow great powers of conversation, or fill you ‘full of the Blarney’.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO - IRELAND
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On the west coast of Ireland the medieval city of Galway is a thriving cosmopolitan and cultural centre.  The area offers many musical events and festivals, live pub music, buskers, and theatre. Galway is convenient for making a trip to nearby islands, such as the Aran Islands that are located just off the entrance to Galway bay. The famous annual Galway (horse) Races during July and August attract visitors from across the globe.

We recommend a visit to the website of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for updated travel advice and information as part of their ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign. Their advice covers many important travel-related topics, including security, driving in Ireland, and passport and visa information.  Note that even visitors from Britain may need to carry their passport to present to their air carrier as photo ID (check your individual airline for their rules). 

If you plan to drive in Ireland you need to be aware that driving over the alcohol limit could result in a heavy fine or even imprisonment.  The traffic police conduct random breath tests. 

In Ireland you may have to pay for any medical treatment upfront, so it is very important to have adequate travel medical insurance. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is valid in Ireland, but this should not be used as a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance.  Always check that your travel insurance covers all your planned activities.

Travel Money:  Before you set off it is a good idea to check with your bank that your cash card will work in ATM machines in Ireland. 
 
Useful website:  http://www.discoverireland.com/

Disclaimer: While we have tried to ensure the information in this Travel Guide is correct we do not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy, or the content of external links.

Inclusion in this Travel Guide does not guarantee travel insurance is available in any country at any given time. Travel Insurance is not available in countries where the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have issued an advisory against travel.

You are strongly advised to visit the FCO website for updated travel information and general travel advice before you travel.