IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, DIAL 999 (Ireland's version of 911). Dialing 112 works in all EU countries as well for those traveling the mainland.
Ireland is 5 hours ahead of the US East coast - so 12noon EST in New York is 5pm GST in Ireland
The weather in Ireland can be unpredictable - our favorite descriptor used is “changeable”. Within one hour or so of a hike in the summertime, you can pretty much experience all four seasons… It can go from rain, to sunny, to windy, to dry and overcast... The temperature in the Summer in Ireland would typically not exceed low 70s with cool mornings and nights. But it could equally as likely be 50s. Your best bet is to dress in layers, or to keep a sweater/jacket with you in case you need it. And packing a small umbrella will always come in handy too.
Don’t forget they drive on the LEFT side of the road. If you are on the highway, the left lane is the slow lane & the right lane is the passing lane. Exit lanes will generally be on the left. Be on the lookout for street lights on the sides of the road (like a stop sign) instead of overhead. And be prepared for a million roundabouts. Check what type of gas (“petrol”) the car uses. Some cars in Ireland (no matter the size) use diesel. And remember to reserve an automatic car if you cannot drive manual (left handed). When selecting a car, we recommend renting a smaller car if you can, especially if you plan to explore out West where the countryside has very narrow winding roads with little room to pass. FYI if you cross the border between the Republic of Ireland & Northern Ireland, the speed limits change - speed in the Republic of Ireland is kilometers per hour and speed in Northern Ireland is miles per hour.
You will need an outlet ADAPTER if you bring any electronics/chargers; you can easily find it on Amazon or at the airport if you forget before you travel. A heads up you will see a switch on every wall outlet which you will have to push down (you will see a little red square) to turn power on to that outlet. If you find that an outlet you are using is not working, try flipping the switch (common pitfall for Ashley). There are no OUTLETS in the bathrooms in Ireland, there is only one for an electric razor (don’t know) so a portable mirror could come in handy with you on your travels. And unless you have a voltage converter (in addition to an outlet adapter) do not put your hair styling tools on high! All of your US hair tools will get very hot very quick and can short (either the styling tool itself or the outlet adapter (another pitfall of Ashley’s)). If you bring a hair dryer, curling iron, straightener, etc., put the heat/power down to low if you can. Also keep in mind the rooms in your accommodation normally always include a hair dryer; if staying in an AirBnB check the listing or ask the host. If you are staying in an older hotel or an AirBnB, you may need to turn on the immersion for HOT WATER (form of electric water heater). If you find your water isn't getting hot enough, just contact your host/concierge and they will advise you on what to do.
Be aware of the currency difference on the island - the Republic of Ireland uses Euros, while Northern Ireland uses Pounds. Even if you initially do not plan on visiting Northern Ireland, we would recommend putting a travel notice on your credit cards for travel in both Ireland and Northern Ireland. You will be able to pay on card in most cases - they use the tap to pay a lot. If you do use cash, when you return to the states note that most currency exchange businesses (including banks and AAA) will not convert your coins.
Be aware a lot of attractions/restaurants/shops are closed or have limited hours on Sundays. Tipping is not expected or required, but a small tip is a nice gesture for good service! Bar Tabs are not common in Ireland. If you are at a pub people would normally buy each round each time they go to the bar.
If you have any questions or run into any issues feel free to contact either of us via text or whatsapp!! Adam 001 862 216 3507 Ashley 001 732 407 0804