Page 136 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

134  BRIT AIN AND IRELAND

Practical & Travel Information Ireland uses British currency –
pounds sterling (£). These
Ireland’s capital cities compare favorably to any in Europe currencies are not inter-
for ease of transportation and communications, but in changeable. Alongside the
remoter areas, the pace of life is slower. In the most isolated Bank of England currency in
parts, public transportation can be infrequent. The division the North, four provincial
banks issue their own notes,
of Ireland into the Republic and Northern Ireland, with for use only in the province.
separate currencies and communication systems, Banking hours are from
complicates matters further. 10am to 4pm, although some
banks close for lunch from
12:30 to 1:30pm.
Tourist Information few other large towns. Tourist
Before leaving for Ireland, you offices and hoteliers will gladly Communications
can get information from the point out the areas to be
Fáilte Ireland (Irish Tourist avoided. In Northern Ireland, the Main post offices in the Republic
Board) or Northern Ireland main security risk in the past and Northern Ireland are usually
Tourist Board (NITB) offices. was the threat of bombings, open from 9am to 5:30pm during
Regional tourist offices provide though even at the height of the week and from 9am to 1pm
more detailed information, the Troubles, this hardly ever on Saturdays. The postal service
including accommodations. affected tourists. Since the Good in Northern Ireland is much faster
In summer, all the sights are Friday Agreement, security than in the Republic, where it can
open, but crowds are naturally incidents are very rare. Visitors take at least five days for a letter
at their biggest. In winter, many may find, on the rare occasion, to reach the United States.
sights keep shorter hours or they are confronted by a police Most phones in the Republic
open only at the weekend and checkpoint. If you see a sign are operated by Eircom, and in
some close down completely. indicating a checkpoint ahead, Northern Ireland, by British
slow down and use low beams. Telecom. Both offer efficient,
Have your passport handy as up-to-date card- and coin-
Visa Requirements
proof of identity. operated public phones.
Visitors from EU member states, Travel insurance for the UK Internet cafés are common,
the US, Canada, Australia, and will not cover you for the even in small towns, and most
New Zealand need a valid Republic, so make sure you hotels and cafés will offer their
passport, but not a visa, for purchase an adequate customers complimentary Wi-Fi.
entry into the Republic or insurance policy.
Northern Ireland. UK nationals The police are called the Flying to Ireland
do not need a passport to enter Gardaí in the Republic and the
the Republic, but may find one Police Service of Northern Flights from most of the large
useful as proof of identity. Ireland (PSNI) in the north. European cities arrive at Dublin
Airport. The major airlines
operating between Britain and
Safety and Emergencies Banking and Currency
the Republic are Aer Lingus
Ireland is one of the safest The currency in the Republic is and budget rival Ryanair, which
places to travel in Europe. Petty the euro (see p23). All euro notes is based in Ireland. Aer Lingus
theft, such as pick pocketing, is and coins are exchangeable in flies direct from the US to
seldom a problem outside each of the participating Shannon Airport, 16 km
certain parts of Dublin and a Eurozone countries. Northern (10 miles) outside Limerick, as
well as to Dublin. Aeroflot flies
The Climate of Ireland from Shannon to Moscow via
DUBLIN Amsterdam or Dublin.
Rain can be the scourge of There are flights for pilgrims
a holiday in Ireland, especially to Knock International Airport
on the west coast. However, °C/ºF from Dublin, London Stansted,
strong winds off the Atlantic Manchester Airport, and others.
mean that the weather often 19/67 13/56 Cork airport is served by flights
changes with astonishing 12/53 11/51 7/45 7/45 from London (Gatwick,
speed. Though the rainfall is 3/38 2/35 Heathrow, and Stansted), as well
heavy, winters are mild and 5 5 3 2 as most British airports and
there is little snowfall except hrs hrs hrs hrs many European destinations.
on the higher mountains. 46 52 67 69
Dublin and the sheltered mm mm mm mm From Belfast, United Airlines
east coast have the warmest month Apr Jul Oct Jan fly direct to the US, while both
climate and least rainfall. Flybe and easyJet fly to most
airports in Britain, as well as to
many European destinations.

134-135_EW_Europe.indd 134 14/07/16 10:13 am