General
Ireland - population 3.5 millions - is an island of 84,400 square kilometres, on the northwest coast of Europe. The climate is temperate with winter ranging between 4°C and 7°C and summer between 14°C and 20°C. The forty shades of green for which our country is famous are maintained by our "soft" rainfall which is well distributed throughout the year. The capital city, Dublin, on the east coast is one hour's flight from London in the United Kingdom, an hour and a half from Paris in France and two hours from Frankfurt in Germany. The standard of living and housing standards are good and would be on a par with other middle income Europeans. Ireland has been a member of the European Union since 1972. From 1st January 1999 Euro rates were fixed for the initial Member States, including Ireland, who elected to participate in the Economic Monetary Union (EMU). Euro notes and coins were introduced by 1st January 2002 and national currencies will remain in circulation up to 9th February 2002. Irish pound notes and coins can be exchanged at the Central Bank after that date.
Money
European money laundering rules require certain procedures prior to opening accounts. ID such as passport and employer's reference together with details of your home country bank account or home country bank reference will be necessary. If possible a letter confirming residence is also useful. There are several large retail banks in Ireland, with branches right round the country. The core banking hours are from 10.00a.m. to 12.30p.m. and from 1.30p.m. to 3.00p.m. Monday to Friday. Some branches in the busier areas stay open during the midday lunch break, and most have one later closing day. The Trustee Savings Bank opens on Saturday mornings. The two largest banks are AIB Bank, and Bank of Ireland. There are foreign exchange facilities at B. of I. Dublin Airport - open every day (except 25th Dec.) 6.00a.m. to 10.30p.m. with early closing at 8.00p.m. Sundays. Building Societies are like banks, in that deposits can be made, but they do not have the full services of a bank. For tenants from overseas, payment of the rent is required by direct debit one month in advance. The utilities also require a direct debit mandate. Therefore one of the first priorities must be to establish a bank account.
Driving
In Ireland, they drive on the left. Drivers are required to pass a driving test in order to qualify for a driving licence. Learners must apply for a provisional licence, valid for two years, before learning to drive. A second provisional licence may be issued, but before a third may be issued, the learner must sit a driving test. On passing the test, the driver may apply for a full licence, valid for ten years.
Newcomers to Ireland who hold a full licence, must, after one year or on taking up employment (at which stage their visitor status ceases), sit a driving test and apply for an Irish driving licence. There are exceptions to this rule, as outlined in Article 29 of the Road Traffic Act 1989, and citizens of those countries, mainly E U countries, may continue to use the licence of their own country as long as it is valid, after which they may exchange their licence for an Irish one, without having to sit a test.
If feeling nervous about driving on the "wrong" side of the road, (and even if not!) it is worth considering a few lessons with a driving school. The instructor can point out the little differences in road signs, and rules of the road. A useful booklet is available at book shops, called appropriately "The Rules of the Road". Dual control cars are the norm in driving schools, and usually a door to door service is available. Alternatively, you may use your own car, provided you are insured.
For insurance purposes please bring a letter from your previous insurance company, confirming your insurance record for the past five years, as well as any "No Claims" record if available, both translated if not in English. If coming from the U.S. or Canada it can also be helpful to obtain an International Driving Licence from the Automobile Association before leaving. This licence can also only be used for one year or until taking up employment (at which stage their visitor status ceases) but it proves helpful when looking for insurance.
The price of cars in Ireland may, in fact most probably will, shock the newcomer. There is no indigenous car manufacturing, and the duties, by whatever name they are called, are enormous. Foreign exchange rates are another factor in the cost.
You may import your own car without payment of duties, but only IF you can prove that it has been the property of you or a family member for at least 6 months. There are further rules about selling it in Ireland. Left hand drive cars incur a large extra insurance premium.
If you are moving to Ireland for NO MORE THAN ONE YEAR, the car may be taxed and insured in the country of origin, under a temporary arrangement, provided it has been in your name up to the time of import. Please ask for further details if required. (Revenue Commissioners leaflet VRT 2)
Cars can be bought or leased in Ireland. Advice should be sought about the various leasing agreements, and the tax implications
Other Means of Transport
Iarnrod Eireann – (Irish Rail)
The rail system consists of a national rail service, an outer suburban network, (both diesel run), and the DART or Dublin Area Rapid Transit which is electrified. It runs from Howth or Malahide on the north side through the city centre and continues as far as Greystones on the south side.
Bus Eireann is the nationwide long-distance bus service that also covers the service in cities other than Dublin. These buses leave from Busarus, near the Custom House on the north side of the river Liffey.
Dublin Bus – Dublin City Service whose headquarters are in O’Connell Street and timetables are available in handy leaflets for groups of routes serving the same area. There is also a timetable book. Most routes are radial i.e. they start in the city centre and move outwards north or south of the Liffey. A few cross the city and there are some that operate from one suburb to another without reaching the centre. There are also a number of feeder services to DART stations.
The “City Swift” is an express service that operates at certain times and only on certain routes. The “IMP” system of small yellow buses offer a frequent service on certain shorter routes.
Fares
The bus fare varies depending on the number of stages travelled, the time of the day and the part of the city you are in. At peak hours the buses with longer routes have minimum fares. All busses require the exact fare in coins only. If you are unable to pay the exact fare, your change will be given to you in the form of a reciept. This cannot be used for travel on busses, and may only be reclaimed by traveling to the Dublin Bus head office in O'Connell street for your small refund. There is a cheap shoppers fare in the city centre at non peak times, and children’s and students’ fares.
Timetables begins at about 7 a.m., ends at 11.30 p.m. approximately.
The service starts later at the weekend. The time displayed at the bus stops is the time of departure from the terminus, NOT the time of arrival at the bus stop. School-link Bus Atha Cliath also provides a school link service with coaches allocated to specific schools for morning and evening runs on particular routes for some schools. If you have a school in mind we will make enquiries. Nitelink is a limited service offered late at night, with prepaid tickets, from city centre to certain areas of Dublin on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, at midnight, 1am, 2am, and 3am. They leave from College Green, Westmoreland St. and D’Olier St., boarding only at the city centre and alighting at any bus stop along the route. At Christmas-time they run until 4.30am Thursday to Saturday.
Air Travel
International Airports are located in Dublin, Shannon, Cork and Belfast. These are well served by international airlines who provide scheduled services to Europe and to North America. Regional Airports are in Kerry, Sligo, Donegal, Galway, Knock and Waterford. Irish airlines include Aer Lingus, CityJet, Ryanair and Transit Airways. Commuter services are available to smaller airports.
Ferries
There are Ferry ports at Dublin, Dunlaoghaire, Rosslare, Larne, and Cork (Ringaskiddy). They serve Stranraer in Scotland, Holyhead, Pembroke and Fishguard in Wales, Cherbourg and Roscoff in France. Passenger Ferry Companies include Irish Ferries, Stena Line, P & O Ferries and Brittany Ferries. There are many freight services.
Taxis
Fares are regulated for taxis and a meter should be visible and working during a journey. A receipt is available on request. Hackney cabs may not ply for trade in the street, but rely on bookings by telephone. A limited number of limousine services is available. If you are dissatisfied, you may contact the Carriage Office at Harcourt Street, quoting the registered number of the taxi.
Private Coaches
If you require a private coach for tours etc. they are available and can be easily booked by phone with prices quoted either for the distance travelled or for hire by the day. C.I.E. runs a hire service and there is a long list of companies in the Golden Pages telephone directory.