Language
Official languages are both English and Gaelic. However,  English is the only one currently spoken by everyone.  Gaelic is not spoken in Dublin but in some rural ares of centre/north Ireland.

Money
As part of the European Union, the unit of currency in Republic of Ireland is the Euro (€).  You can exchange your local currency at the airport or at any banks.  If you have an international credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Maestro, Cirrus etc), you can withdraw Euros at any automated cash machine. Check with your local back if your card has any withdraw limit abroad.

Telephone
The international dialling code for Ireland is 00353
When dialling an Irish number from abroad, drop the preceeding 0 from the local area code e.g. Within Ireland, our telephone number is 01 - 293 3000.  From outside Ireland our number is +353 - 1 - 293 3000.

Mobile Phones
There is currently 5 mobile phone operators: O2, Vodafone, Meteor, 3, eMobile.   You can buy a local SIM card from any of them for less than 10 Euro. Check their website for rates.

Time Zone
Ireland in on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) which is the same of UK and Portugal. It's an hour behind Central Europe (France, Italy, Spain, Germany). For further information check here.

Climate
Ireland has a wet climate, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean streams. Summers are fresh (rarely over 20 C degrees) and winters are not extremely cold (rarely snow or temperature below 0 C).  Weather can change dramatically on the same day.  From sunny sky to clouds and rain in few minutes! Always take an umbrella with you.
May to July is the best time of the year, with many clear days and daylight until 11pm.

Opening times
Most shops in Dublin city centre are open 9am-6pm Monday-Saturday. On Sundays, 12pm-6pm.
Thursday in Dublin is late shopping to 8/9pm.

Banks are open 10am-4pm Monday-Friday.  Post offices 9am-5pm Mon-Fri and Saturdays 9am-1pm.

Pubs are open Monday-Thursday and Sunday 10.30am -11.30pm.  Friday and Saturday from 10.30 until late.

Supermarkets opening times can vary greatly.  Many of them are open 24 hours a day.

National Holidays
There is 9 Public Holidays in the Calender Year in Ireland;

January 1st (New Year's Day)
March 17th (St. Patrick's Day)
Monday after Easter (Easter Monday)
First Monday in May
First Monday in June
First Monday in August
Last Monday in October
December 25th (Christmas Day)
December 26th (St. Stephen's Day)

National Emergency Numbers
In case of emergency call 112 or 999 for free.

Electricity
Electrical current is 220 volts, 50AC.  Wall sockets are different from rest of Europe (except UK): they are 3 flat-pins plug. Therefore, you need an electrical adapter to use international or European electrical devices. You can find them for few euros in many shops in Dublin.

Taxes
Non-EU citizens visiting the Republic of Ireland can apply for a refund of the value-added tax (VAT).  VAT is not refundable on accommodation, car rental, meals or personal services.

Many shops and department stores operate a system called Cashback enabling non-EU residents to collect rebates in the currency of their choice at Dublin or Shannon Airport on departure.  Forms for the refunds must be picked up at the time of purchase, and the form must be stamped by customs upon departure from the airport.

Passports
Passports are not required by British citizens born in the United Kingdom and travelling from Britain, however photo identification is commonly required and should be carried.  Citizens of European Union states and Switzerland may use a passport or national identity card to gain entry to the Republic of Ireland.

All other nationalities must produce a passport to gain entry to the Republic of Ireland.

Click here to visit the Department of Foreign Affairs website for further information.

Visas
Details of citizens requiring a visa to enter the Republic of Ireland may be obtained by visiting the Department of Foreign Affairs website by clicking here.

Driving
Driving in Ireland is on the left lane, like the UK.  If you rent a car, you can use your European international driving license.