Additional Information

Question

What are the Entry and Visa requirements for Ireland?

Answer

You must have a valid passport to enter Ireland. It is recommended that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date from Ireland. U.S. citizens can enter visa-free for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days. There is no minimum passport validity requirement for U.S. citizens entering Ireland. If you are making a vacation around Europe from this trip, there is a list of 30 European countries that now require ETIAS documentation for US citizens, starting in 2024. The cost of the visa is $8 for 18 years and older. Under 18s are free of charge. It is valid for 3 years. A list of the countries and further information can be found on this link: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance/europe-etias-requirements-2024/

Question

Cash or Credit?

Answer

In Ireland, there are two currencies you'll need depending on where you travel. The euro is used in the Republic of Ireland. In Northern Ireland, pound sterling is the official currency. Northern Ireland consists of 6 counties: Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted throughout the island of Ireland; American Express is accepted in some places but not all. Credit cards can be used for purchases and also to withdraw cash from ATMs (although this usually is accompanied by a fee). You can also withdraw cash from ATMs with your Mastercard or Visa debit card. Fees will still be charged but at a lower rate to credit cards. Ireland uses a “chip and pin” system for debit and credit card transactions. Retailers may still accept swipe cards but please note this is not always guaranteed. It is recommended that you notify your bank of your travel plans prior to your departure. Contactless payment is increasingly popular. You can "tap" your debit card to pay for purchases of up to €50 or £45. If you hear someone talk about the "hole in the wall" they mean an ATM machine! Finally, it is important to know that "tipping" in Ireland is not a necessity. It is not common for locals to tip in a bar or restaurant. It is at your own discretion.

Question

What will the weather be like in Ireland during the month of July? What to pack?

Answer

By July, summer in Ireland is well underway, with average highs of 19°C/66°F and average lows of 12°C/54°F. There are plenty of daylight hours for exploring, with the sun rising at 05:01 and setting at 21:56 at the beginning of the month. Although it’s summer and that generally means you can expect warm weather in Ireland, dry sunny spells aren’t guaranteed. The last couple of years it’s been hot and sunny (last July 2022 was the hottest on record), but in 2020 the weather was wet and cool. That’s why we strongly recommend packing for different scenarios by bringing along layers and waterproofs, in addition to your normal summer gear. There are zero guarantees when it comes to Irish weather, and sunny July days can easily be interrupted by quick rain showers and vice versa! That’s why we preach about packing layers and waterproofs no matter what the forecast says, just to stay on the safe side.

Question

What are the rules for driving in Ireland?

Answer

The most important rule - We drive on the left hand side! It might sound intimidating but driving on the left will feel like second nature after a few days of cruising along the Wild Atlantic Way, puttering along rural roads dotted with castles or circling the roundabouts outside of Ireland’s charming villages. If you are a resident of the U.S., Canada or the European Union and you have a valid driver's license, then you will be able to drive in Ireland. Drivers from other countries will need to obtain an International Driver's Permit, but American licenses are automatically valid on the Emerald Isle and you can drive for up to 12 months as a tourist. (Just check with the rental car company to see if they have any other restrictions, like a minimum age). There are no tolled roads in Northern Ireland but you'll find tolls on a number of roads in the Republic of Ireland (Disabled drivers are not charged tolls on roads in the Republic of Ireland). Generally tolls are paid at the barrier of the toll booth, however, there is one exception: M50 eFlow Barrier System. It is important to pay your toll fee online before 8PM the following day.

Question

Best way to navigate and get directions?

Answer

Waze! Of course Google Maps will also work but the Waze GPS Navigation App is the most commonly used App for driving in Ireland.

Question

Staying connected and buying a SIM Card for Ireland?

Answer

Ireland's International Dial Code is +353. Get yourself an e-sim card for traveling to Ireland or buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival in Ireland to avoid high roaming charges. Prepaid data plans are reasonably priced and come with unlimited data in Ireland and include free EU roaming! I recommend a Three (3) sim card for Ireland. They have prepaid sim card plans for Ireland with unlimited data for €20 and they have the best 4G/5G network in Ireland.

Question

Hiring a car in Ireland?

Answer

You will need a valid licence and credit card to rent a vehicle in Ireland. Most rental companies will not rent to drivers under 25 but there is no upper age limit. Try and book your vehicle well ahead of your trip to get better offers or deals and to ensure availability during the high season. In Ireland, the majority of rental cars are standard shift (manual transmission) so if you're looking for an automatic transmission, plan ahead to avoid disappointment. My advice is to shop around and find the best price while also booking well in advance. This website below will compare prices in Ireland. https://www.discovercars.com/ireland

Question

Bus services and public transport?

Answer

https://www.transportforireland.ie/ On this website above, you will find all the information that you need regarding the public transport system in Ireland. The most popular mode of transport is by bus. The national company of Ireland is Bus Eireann. Rome2Rio is a very useful App that you can download which will help you with planning a journey on public transport. Once numbers are confirmed, there is an option of a bus hire to take groups from Shannon Airport to Doolin village. This can be arranged closer to the date but will depend on how many people would be interested/arrival dates and times.

Question

How do I contact Emergency Services in Ireland?

Answer

Emergency (Medical/Police/Fire): 112 or 999 If you require a GP at any time during your stay in Ireland, ShannonDoc is the out of hours Private GP service and will travel to your location. Depending on the time, prices range from 50 euro - 90 euro for an out call. Phone Number: 0818 123 500 or 00353 61 459 500