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General Visitor Information
Your Irish Roots - Over 50 million people in the world believe they are of Irish descent. Some struggled to escape Ireland on ships in the famine, others keen to explore brave new worlds. Are you one of these people? If so this site can help you trace those roots in Ireland. Check www.youririshroots.com and see if you are Irish. Recommended Books About Ireland One of the things I like to do is read-up on the destination to which I intend to travel. I normally use Fodor's guides as I find them very informative and easy to read and understand. Fodor's Ireland - No matter what your budget or whether it's your first trip or fifteenth, Fodor's Gold Guides get you where you want to go. I will admit that Fodor's is my favorite guidebook with insider information that always up to date. Every year local experts update each guide to give you the inside track, showing you all the things to see and do -- from must-see sights to off-the-beaten-path adventures, from shopping to outdoor fun. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more comprehensive, engrossing and just plain fun-to-read guidebook than the Eyewitness Travel Guide: Ireland. Frommer's Ireland From $50 A Day has everything you need for an unforgettable, affordable trip: Inviting places to stay, from country mansions to Victorian townhouses--for as little as $24 per person per night! Great dining at unbelievably low prices, from $6 Dublin pub lunches to a three-course gourmet supper at a cozy inn for $19. The best of the Emerald Isle: Norman castles, Celtic sites, city strolls, literary landmarks, day hikes, fishing villages, gardens, and museums--plus a complete guide to Ireland's beautiful countryside. Ireland Guide: Be a Traveler -- Not a Tourist - This is a terrific book for the traveler returning to Ireland. It provides more detail for someone who is already familiar with the country, adding sights that may be just off the beaten path a bit. Frommer's Ireland - You'll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's Ireland . It's like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go--they've done the legwork for you, and they're not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.
Ferry to Ireland
Getting Around In Ireland If you plan to rent a car, and plan to visit both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, be sure to check with the rental agent as there may be some differences in insurance coverage. Most of the major car rental companies are there, but for local agencies, try Argus (01/490-4444 in Dublin) or Dan Dooley (1.800.331.9301). You might also be interested in ECL Chauffeur Drive (01/704-4062) which offers chauffeur-driven Mercedes sedans, minivans, and coaches. A temporary visitor to Ireland may legally drive throughout the country providing he or she holds a valid license issued in his or her country of residence or an international driving permit. Note that the holder of a license for a vehicle with automatic transmission, for example the majority of American cars, may only drive automatic cars in Ireland. Driving Tips for North AmericansDriving styles and regulations differ in every country. It usually takes between a few hours and a day to get used to a new driving environment, particularly if you have not driven in the country before. If you are used to an automatic you will want to be sure and specify a car with an automatic transmission when making your reservation. Most cars in Ireland have standard transmissions and that is what you will be given if you do not ask. When you drive the car for the first time, take it around the block at the airport a few times to get used to the controls and driving on the left-hand side of the roadTry and avoid the narrower R roads for the first day or so until you are familiar with your car and the driving environment Take your time - drive slowly at first until you gain confidence. Watch the signs carefully!Check AutoEurope for the best in rental cars! They also can help you with your airline reservations, with some excellent air fares, make your hotel reservations, and, in several countries, even rent you a cell phone! Car Rental
Air travel is not as popular in Ireland as in some other countries. However, a recent increase in the development of regional airports may soon be changing that. Some of these regional airports also have flights from the United Kingdom making them arrival points. Some of these cities include Derry City (for Donegal), Galway, Kerry, Knock, Sligo town, and Waterford.
Northern
Ireland The currency for Ireland is the euro. At the time of conversion to the euro, the exchange rate was as follows: 1,936.27 Italian liras = 1 euro. You should check for the current exchange rate at Onada.com and get a cheat sheet. The euro is the single currency of the European Monetary Union, which was adopted by 11 Member States from 1 January 1999. The 11 Member States are Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal and Finland. Greece became the 12th Member State to adopt the Euro on 1 January 2001. The name "euro" was chosen by the European Heads of State or Government at the European Council meeting in Madrid in December 1995. There will be 7 euro notes and 8 euro coins. The notes are in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, and 5 euro. The denominations of coins are 2 euro, 1 euro, 50 euro cent, 20 euro cent, 10 euro cent, 5 euro cent, 2 euro cent, and 1 euro cent. If you have used "foreign" currency in the past in your travels, you will find that, just like using than old national currency, it is pretty much the same. The real difference you will see is when you travel to other countries in the euro area. There will be no more currency exchange - which means no more exchange commission to be paid - no more time spent calculating price comparisons, and no more time wasted shopping around for the best exchange rate. Click on Quest for just about all the information you will need for the euro. A temporary visitor to Ireland may legally drive throughout the country providing he or she holds a valid license issued in his or her country of residence or an international driving permit. Note that the holder of a license for a vehicle with automatic transmission, for example the majority of American cars, may only drive automatic cars in Ireland. Driving Tips for North Americans If you are used to an automatic you will want to be sure and specify a car with an automatic transmission when making your reservation. Most cars in Ireland have standard transmissions and that is what you will be given if you do not ask. When you drive the car for the first time, take it around the block at the airport a few times to get used to the controls and driving on the left-hand side of the road Try and avoid the narrower R roads for the first day or so until you are familiar with your car and the driving environment Take your time - drive slowly at first until you gain confidence. Watch the signs carefully!
Some Things to See and Do in the Republic of Ireland
Think you may be Irish? Click here to find out!
Some Suggestions for Dining in the Republic of Ireland Dublin Events is a great resource for anyone visiting (or living) in or near Dublin. They have all of the current information you will need to make your visit to Ireland's Capital City an interesting and enjoyable experience including events, highlights of the city and much at the click of your mouse. With the help of Dublin Events you can plan your a short visit, overnight, "night on the town," or an entire holiday or vacation. You will also find lots of special offers that are updated regularly. And, when in town, be sure to look for their guide, "Events of the Week" which you can find free of charge in over a 1,000 places throughout Dublin. For more information you can call (+353) 056 89300 or send them an email request or question at guide@dublinevents.com or visit their website - Dublin Events
Ireland Business Etiquette and Culture - An excellent
guide to business culture and etiquette in Ireland. This guide to Ireland business etiquette and culture covers
many aspects of doing business in Ireland. It is our goal to provide practical,
accurate, and up-to-date tips on Ireland business culture and etiquette, written
by experts in business consulting in Ireland. We encourage visitors to leave
questions or comments on our discussion boards, moderated by experts in
intercultural training and business.
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Date this page was last edited: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 11:02:01 Getting Away With Jim
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