Climate Ireland has a mild, temperate climate: Summer temperatures generally range from 60ºF/15ºC to 70ºF/20ºC. Spring and autumn are generally 50ºF/10ºC. Winter is between 40ºF/5ºC and 46ºF/8ºC. (Snow is rare, but showers can occur at any time of the year.) Related websites

Customs Customs operate green and red channels at most ports and airports. If you need to declare goods over the duty and tax-free allowances for non-EU visitors you must use the red channel. Pass through the green channel if you have nothing to declare. For goods obtained outside the EU The following goods may be imported by persons over the age of 17 without incurring customs duty: 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco; 10l of spirits (more than 22%) or 20l of intermediate products (eg port, sherry etc but not sparkling wine) or 90l of wine (of which only 60l can be sparkling) or 110l of beer; 60mls of perfume or 250ml of eau de toilette; other dutiable goods to the value of 40 Euro. Vat and Tax Refunds To be able to claim a tax refund you must be a non-EU visitor to Ireland. Look for the ‘Tax-Free Shopping’ sign in the windows of participating stores. You must complete a valid tax refund document obtained from the retailer and present the tax refund document and goods to Customs on departure from the EU. A customs officer will check the goods and validate the tax refund document. You can receive your refund on the spot at some airports, otherwise you should mail the validated tax refund document back to the store and a refund will be issued. VAT is charged on almost everything, but remember that refunds only apply to goods being taken out of the country, not services. VAT and tax refunds are not available to EU visitors. Related websites

The Embassy of the United States of America, Dublin 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge Dublin 4 353 (0) 16687122 353 (0) 668 8777 The US Consulate General Danesfort House 223 Stranmillis Road Belfast Ni BT9 5GR 44 (0) 28 9038 6100

Disabled Travellers Ireland extends a warm welcome to visitors with disabilities. Since hosting the Special Olympics in 2003, many public places and visitor attractions are now accessible to wheelchair users, and an increasing number of restaurants and pubs, hotels and guesthouses are well equipped to accommodate disabled guests. The National Rehabilitation Board has a county-by-county fact sheet and copies of this can be obtained by writing to: Details The National Rehabilitation Centre Access Dept 25 Clyde Road, Dublin 4 Tel. + 353 1 608 0400 email: nrb@iol.ie. National Disability Authority www.nda.ie

Holidays in the Republic of Ireland

Pets Pets entering Ireland from Great Britain There are no restrictions on animals being brought into Ireland from Britain. There are special regulations applied to some dogs, for example pit bull terriers. Pets entering Ireland and the UK from the continent Pets entering the island of Ireland from the U.S. are subject to six months quarantine unless they have undergone the requirements of the UK Pet Travel Scheme and obtained the requisite ‘Passport for Pets’ and entered Ireland through the UK. There are special regulations applied to some dogs, for example Pitbull Terriers. For more information relating to pets contact: Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Tel: 44 28 905 24717) www.dardni.gov.uk Republic of Ireland Department of Agriculture (Tel: 353 1 607 2000) www.irlgov.ie

Senior Citizens The island of Ireland widely recognises concessions. Men and women over the age of 60 are recognised as being senior citizens or old age pensioners (OAPs) and enjoy a variety of discounts and privileges. Car rental age requirements and restrictions Most of the major car rental companies have desks at airports, ferry terminals and cities across Ireland. Generally, these companies do not rent cars to drivers over 70. It is advisable to book in advance, especially if you are traveling during the high season, as it is generally cheaper. For insurance reasons you should advise the car rental company if you intend traveling between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Telecommunications Cellular Phones Only digital phones with GSM subscriptions and a roaming agreement will work on the island of Ireland. Visitors should consult with their supplier before departure. Pay Phones Pre-paid phone cards are widely available both in the Republic and Northern Ireland and both are convenient and effective to use. Telephone Codes If calling Northern Ireland from abroad, all telephone numbers must be prefixed with 0044 (drop the first 0 of the local code). If calling Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland, replace the prefix code 028 with the code 048. If calling the Republic of Ireland from abroad all telephone numbers must be prefixed with 00 353 (drop the first 0 of the local code). Telephone Enquiries Northern Ireland Directory Enquiries - Tel: 118 500 International Directory Enquiries - Tel: 118 505 Talking Pages - Tel: 0800 600 900 or visit www.goldenpages.ie Republic of Ireland While in the Republic of Ireland contact: Directory Enquiries - Tel: 11850 International Directory Enquiries - Tel: 114 Golden Pages Talking - Tel: + 353 1 618 8000 or visit www.yell.co.uk Related sites

Vaccines Vaccines are neither compulsory nor necessary unless you are travelling from an infected country.

By Bus & Train Ireland has a good network of both bus and rail services. Bus Eireann and Irish Rail service the Republic, while Ulster Bus and Northern Ireland Railways service Northern Ireland. The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) serves the Dublin area from Howth and Malahide in North County Dublin via Dun Laoghaire in South County Dublin to Greystones in County Wicklow. In Belfast, you'll find Belfast City Bus and Northern Ireland Railways ensure that you can make your way around the city with ease. Special deals! Visitors travelling around Ireland by public transport should always enquire about special discounted fares or Emerald Card/Irish Rover tickets, which offer unlimited bus/rail travel for three, five or 15 days. Related websites

Driving laws Driving in Ireland is on the left side of the road and seat belts must be worn at all times in the front and the back of the vehicle. Motorcyclists and their passengers must wear helmets. There are very strict laws on drinking and driving and those found to be contravening these laws will be heavily penalized. The best advise is don’t drink and drive.

Speed Limits (Republic of Ireland) The maximum speed limits: Towns and cities 50kph Regional areas and local roads (speeds displayed by white signs) 80kph National roads (displayed by green signs) 100kph Speed Limits (Northern Ireland) The maximum speed limits: Towns and cities 30mph Regional/country roads 60mph Motorway 70mph. Signposts In the Republic, all signposts denoting distance and speed limits are now in kilometers per hour. In the Gaeltacht (Gaelic-speaking) areas of the Republic of Ireland, only the Irish/Gaelic versions of place names will be used on road signs and large-scale maps. Smaller scale ordnance survey maps, such as those used by tourists and currently distributed by Tourism Ireland can carry both Irish and English versions of names. The areas in question are relatively small and with the aid of a good tourist map and the help of friendly locals, visitors should be able to navigate their way around all parts of the country without too much difficulty. In Northern Ireland, all signposts and speeds are in miles and place names are displayed in English.

Gas There is a good network of gas stations throughout Ireland selling unleaded gas and diesel. Prices may vary, but for more information regarding prices in both the North and the Republic visit AA Road Watch. Related websites

Car Insurance: Third party insurance coverage damage to another vehicle is included in the cost of your rental. This does not cover damage to your own car. If you purchased CDW insurance here in the USA, as it will save you 20-30% over charges at the airport Customers declining CDW will be responsible for the full value of the vehicleWhere a Customer wishes to decline CDW they will be held responsible for the value of the car. Super CDW is available to reduce the non-waivable excess; this is a counter selling product only. Renters are responsible for replacing or the cost of replacing tires that have been damaged due to neglect, carelessness or in an accident during rental. This includes punctures, tires that have been run flat and tires with sidewall cuts and bulges.

THEFT PROTECTION This insurance provides cover for theft or attempted theft of the vehicle. Where a Customer wishes to decline Theft Protection, they will be held responsible for the full value of the car in the event of the car being stolen.

Young Driver Charge: All Drivers between the ages of 21-25 years inclusive will be charged a Young Drivers Charge

REFUELING Vehicles are provided with a full tank of fuel and provided the vehicle is refueled on the termination of the rental, no refueling charge is payable. Most of the cars take Unleaded, some may be Diesel. Please check before filling the tank. PETROL/FUEL: Most gas stations in Ireland are self service. Just fill the tank with the recommended fuel, remember the amount on the pump, and pay inside. An Imperial gallon of petrol equals 1.2 North American gallons, or 4.5 liters. You will be billed for a tank of gas if you bring the car back empty. GASOLINE COSTS APPROXIMATELY TWICE THE PRICE OF US GASOLINE, NO MATTER HOW HIGH THE PRICE GETS AT HOME.

Genealogy: Don't wait until you get to Ireland to find your ancestors, or you may spend hours or days poking around the wrong church or graveyard. Avail yourself of our genealogy search before you go to lay the foundation for your ancestral search. Details can be found at: http://www.lynotttours.com/i-gen.htm. Please note that it will take approximately 28 days for the product to be delivered. Once your Irish roots are found for you, you will be able to plan a more meaningful trip.

Passports and Visas: A valid passport is all that is required of U.S. citizens. A visa is NOT required. Citizens of other countries should check with their Consulate for entry requirements.

Weather: The weather in Ireland is spring-like year round, though a bit damp. The sunniest months are May and June, and the driest is April. If you have access to a computer, you can go to the website www.Ireland.com/weather. Weather: The weather in Ireland is spring-like year round, though a bit damp. In fact, you'll often hear the phrase, "Today we can expect showers, followed by periods of rain." The sunniest months are May and June, and the driest is April. For more information, visit www.Ireland.com/weather. Average Temperature: (F) Jan. Mar. May July Sep. Nov. Feb. Apr. June Aug. Oct. Dec. Day 47 51 61 66 59 49 Night 35 36 45 51 33 37 Avg. Rainfall (inches) 2.25 2.0 2.2 2.8 2.7 2.7

What to bring: Casual clothing, sweaters and jeans for touring. From May through September, women may find lightweight wools, pants, suits, slacks and comfortable shoes useful for daytime. Layers or heavier clothing are appropriate in wintertime. For dinner, dressy clothing is not necessary. Men will be most comfortable in a sports jacket or sweater during the day, and a suit or jacket and tie for the evening. Dressier clothes are required for dinner at deluxe hotels and castles. A light raincoat and umbrella are also recommended. As some hotels do not supply washcloths, you may wish to bring your own.

Banking hours: Mon.-Fri. 10:00am-12:30pm and 1:30pm-3:00pm. In Dublin, Thursday, open until 5:00pm. Banks are closed on weekends and public holidays. You may also change money at Thomas Cook, American Express and Bureaux de Change. Please check the rate of exchange and commission charged. ATM's are available. See below for information.

Currency: The Euro is the currency in Ireland. Visitors to Northern Ireland will require Pounds Sterling. Due to floating exchange rates, you are advised to check the current rate at the time of your arrival. For your own convenience, it is advisable to obtain some Euro coins or Pounds sterling upon arrival at the airport. ATMS are in most towns throughout Ireland.. You may use your own ATM card, provided that it is linked to a checking account and that you have only numbers for your pin. Your cash will be in euro, and your bank will convert it at the best banking rate that day. ATM's in Ireland do not charge any fees, but your bank back home will probably charge something. Please ask them before you leave on your trip.

Wheelchair: For guests whom have need for wheelchair accessability, or any medical needs, please speak with your agent for any special arrangements. Please check with your Health Insurance carrier to see if you are covered by your health policy while you are abroad.. If you aren't, arrange health insurance coverage for you while you are traveling, if available. Medicare: You will need to purchase a health care policy to cover you for the time you are out of the country.

Dining: Fortunately, the days when Irish vegetables are cooked for an entire week are long gone. Most people are very impressed at the quality of new Irish cooking. There are a few fast food chains in Ireland. However, most meals are taken in pubs and restaurants. You can expect to pay 8-10 Euro in a pub and 50-100 Euro in a restaurant per person. Fries=Chips Chips=Crisps Baked Potato=Jacket Potato Eggplant=Aubergine Zucchini=Courgette

Pubs and Licensing Hours: Legal drinking age is 18, but younger children are allowed in most pubs when accompanied by their parents. Pubs are open Monday- Wed. from 10:30am to 11:30pm, Thu-Sat 1030Am-1230AM. Sunday hours are 12:30-11PM. Alcoholic beverages may be served at your hotel outside these hours. Nightclubs and discos operate until 2 A.M. In a pub, tipping is not expected.

Shopping: Shops are normally open between 9:00am and 6:00pm. Monday through Saturday. Most larger stores are open Sunday. Most towns have early closing (1pm) one day a week, normally a Wednesday. Larger cities and some small towns have late night shopping (until 9:00pm) one night a week, usually on Thursday or Friday. If you shop in a supermarket, be sure to bring a plastic bag, or you will be charged for them at check-out!

VAT-Stands for Value Added Tax. It is comparable to sales tax. This is automatically added to the total of some purchases and varies from 10-20%.

Electricity: Standard current is 220V AC. Hotels usually have 220/110 sockets. In addition to a converter, you may need two adapters (a three pronged rectangular one, and a two pronged round one, the same as used for Britain), which can be purchased at luggage shop or airport shop.

Phoning home: Hotels frequently charge excessive fees for making phone calls from your room. If you do not have tri-band (GSM) cell phone, we would suggest that you rent an international cell phone before departure for international calls and for calls within Ireland. This phone is mailed to your home so that you can give the phone number to those who need to contact you during your stay. THIS IS PARTICULARLY HELPFUL IF YOU ARE TRAVELING ON OPEN VOUCHERS AND DO NOT KNOW YOUR ROUTING IN ADVANCE. Please check with your cell company for their international rates, or if renting, check their rates before you go so. If you do not choose this option, we would therefore suggest that buy a phone card in any candy store or shop at the airport on arrival, or you can use a public phone and call your long distance carrier back home, who will charge the call to your home account. The phone number to call for holders of: AT&T cards: 1 800 550 000 Sprint: 1 800 552 001 MCI: 1 800 551 001 Upon dialing these numbers you will be connected to an operator back home. Please check with your local long distance carrier prior to leaving home for other carriers' phone numbers. In Ireland: Directory Assistance 11850 Northern Ireland: 192 Please remember when calling the USA, it is an international call and will be expensive. Please Note: The Emergency Number is NOT 911 in Ireland. Please dial 999 for emergencies

Postage: While traveling in Ireland, mail to North America requires the following postage: 57 Euro cents for postcards and letters. Mail may take 7-10 days to reach home. Stamps may be obtained from your hotel desk, Post Offices and shops displaying a green "An Post" sign. Post Offices are open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-1pm.

Email: Some libraries have an email service, but internet cafes and Wi-Fi Hotspots can be found in all major towns and cities.

Taxis: There are metered taxis in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick, but in other areas, you will have to agree on the fare beforehand. Taxis tend to wait in taxis ranks in certain areas, and do not usually cruise the streets. Please note that when out into the countryside the Taxi service is very limited, sometimes non existent. Car hire is highly recommended when traveling out of the main cities.

Time: Ireland follows Greenwich Mean Time from October to March. From the last Sunday in March to the 4th Saturday in October, time is one hour ahead of G.M.T. They are 5 hours ahead this means when it is 1:00 pm in New York or Toronto, the time in Dublin is 6:00 pm.

Travelers checks, checks and credit cards: We recommend that you use your ATM card (See below) or carry travelers checks in American dollars. These can be exchanged at your hotel or at a bank. All leading credit cards such as American Express, Visa, Carte Blanche, Diners Club and Mastercard are acceptable throughout Ireland. These are not acceptable at most farmhouses or pubs. More detailed information on the use of your credit card may be obtained through your local credit card company. ATM cards may be used in Ireland. If your card is on the CIRRUS or PLUS network and your PIN number is longer than four digits, you will need to get a new number before traveling. If your PIN has letters in it, check for the corresponding numbers before departure as foreign ATMs usually only display digits on their keypads. For further information about CIRRUS call 1 800 424 7787 and PLUS call 1 800 843 7587. Other card holders please check with your bank to determine if your ATM card may be used in Ireland. Personal checks, even when presented with your passport will not be accepted unless you have made prior arrangements.

HANDICAP PARKING PERMITS: In most towns and cities, if you use your parking permit from home, it will be sufficient. Special parking applies (see PARKING)

Taking a car to England, Scotland or Wales: Car rentals may be taken out of the country if arrangements were made prior to departure from North America. The car must be returned to the Republic of Ireland. Clients who have pre-paid for a car to be taken out of the country and returned by ferry need to pay for insurance to cover a breakdown out of the country (AA 5 star insurance or green card), and the basic insurance. You are still liable for the L.D.W. and P.A.I. when you pick up the car. Cars may be driven in Northern Ireland without charge, but they must be returned to the Republic. Cars may be driven into Northern Ireland without making special arrangements.

Parking: Restrictions apply, these are shown by different painted lines on the road by the sidewalk. A Single Yellow Line - Time restrictions apply, look for a sign indicating when you are allowed to park. People with a Handicap Permits may park there at any time. Double Yellow Lines - No parking allowed at any time Where there are no lines or signs you are able to park with no restrictions. When parking your car pay the relevant parking meter or you may need to buy a parking pass from a news stand or candy store.

Tipping: Service charges have been included on all hotel and farmhouse accommodation (where applicable). Tip porters 75 cents to Euro 1.50 per bag, taxis 10-15% of the fare Should you tip, and if so, where, when and how much should you give? The short, happy rule in Ireland is that you rarely tip. But, like all rules there is one exception. Twenty years ago, nobody in Ireland tipped for anything, with good reason. Food in restaurants was passable at best, service was slow. You often got the impression your waiter or waitress thought they were doing you a favor. For the most part this has changed greatly. There are now many fantastic restaurants throughout the country and restaurateurs have realized the importance of quality, friendly service. For this reason the locals have become a lot more inclined to tip when food and/or service is good. It is now the norm to tip approximately 10% in restaurants, unless the food or service is poor. The same does not apply if eating in pubs, though many people will leave a small tip for a particularly friendly waiter or waitress. Do not tip any of the following (though they will gladly take it if offered): bar men, taxi drivers, hotel door men, people you ask for directions, old men in pubs offering advice on everything from the weather to the stock market. DO NOT TIP AT B&B'S. It is a business, and the owners doe not expect additional compensation. However, if you know, for example that cleaning is done by outside staff, you might leave a few coins on the bedside table for the housekeeper, if you wish.

RETURNING HOME Immigration: There is a pre-immigration station at Shannon Airport and at Dublin Airport which allows travelers to the U.S. to clear immigration prior to departure. Passengers still need to clear their luggage through Customs upon arrival in the U.S. Goods To Take Home: V.A.T. (Value-Added-Tax) is imposed on some items when purchased. A refund of V.A.T. on certain purchases may be obtained by completing a form at each store, and applying for a refund upon exiting from the country. The form must be presented to Customs for purchases over Euro 635. Some shops process their refunds through the Tax Free desk at major airports. In Northern Ireland the procedure for applying for a refund is the same as Britain. (The form and the goods must be presented to Customs. Refunds are made when the retailer receives the form back, properly executed by Customs.) U.S. citizens may return with goods valued at $600 U.S. duty-free, including one bottle of liquor. Goods purchased above the $600 limit are taxed at a flat 10% rate. Gifts not exceeding $50.00 may be sent to the U.S. duty-free provided that the same person does not receive more than $50.00 in gift shipments in one day. This is not included in the $600 exemption.

Some Translations: Two great nations divided by a common language Here are some translations that may help you:

To convert kilometers into miles, multiply by 0.6.