The lure of Ireland lies in its landscapes and its people, and it is through involvement with either, or both, that visitors get to experience the soul of this ancient land of saints and scholars.

Ireland's hills are a walker's paradise, not only because of the extensive network of trails, but because by being on foot one gets to appreciate the lakes and rivers, the coastal views and ever-changing sky-scapes that are so much part of the Irish landscape. Watersports such as angling, sailing and surfing are popular too, and many visitors come for the golf, but the real passion of the Irish is horses - there is a potential Derby winner in every valley and a packed betting shop in every high street.

The Irish weather is not the most predictable in the world, but then much of the beauty of the Irish landscape is due to its climate…and there has to be a price tag on being nicknamed the 'Emerald Isle'. Poor weather has had positive influences on the Irish way of life. Music and song plays an integral part in daily life and visitors are able to experience this in the many pubs so characteristic of the social landscape of Ireland.

Over the years, Ireland has survived invasions, famine and civil war, but has recently come into its own, benefiting from peace in the North, support from the EU and a new vitality which has caused the country to be dubbed the 'Celtic Tiger'. There has never been a better time to visit.

DUBLIN:
Cosmopolitan, colourful and over a thousand years old, Dublin presents a fine starting point for visitors to Ireland. This capital city is split in two by the River Liffey, which gives form to the city and has no less than nine bridges spanning it. Easily explored on foot, central Dublin presents a wealth of historic landmarks, from ancient cathedrals to gracious Georgian buildings that pay testimony to days gone by. There are several attractions on both sides of the Liffey, ranging from gaols and castles to the birthplaces of famous poets and writers and guided literary trails.

Not far from the city in County Wicklow are the Wicklow Mountains, where hills and glens, forests and waterfalls attract weekend walkers and nature-lovers. Dublin Bay, which lies between the mouth of the River Liffey and the Dalkey headland, is the site of several small coastal towns and the ferry port of Dun Laoghaire. County Kildare is a region of rich farmland and fine reputation for the breeding of thoroughbred horses, while the similar counties of Louth and Meath have evidence of early civilisations and a wealth of castles and monasteries.

SOUTH AND WEST:
Nine counties comprise the South of Ireland, five in the southeast and four in the southwest. In the Southeast, County Wexford is favoured for its sandy beaches and pretty harbour towns; County Carlow for its Celtic monuments and historic sites; County Waterford for its crystal glass factory and attractive fishing villages and resort towns; County Kilkenny for its medieval churches and well-preserved Norman city and County Tipperary for its lush dairy pastures. In the Southwest, County Cork is noted for its maritime identity and impressive coastal scenery as well as being the site of Ireland's most famous attraction, the Blarney Stone. Kissing this stone is said to impart the gift of eloquence. County Kerry is loved for its rugged scenery and the Dingle Peninsula, which juts out into the Atlantic Ocean as the westernmost point of Europe. County Limerick is home of the vibrant city of Limerick, which is an important centre of music; and County Clare is noted for its outstanding landscapes and the Cliffs of Moher. In the West is County Galway with its vibrant city and wild scenery.

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Time:
GMT (GMT +1 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).


Electricity:
Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. UK-style three-pin and round three-pin plugs are in use.


Language:
English, Irish (Gaelic) is spoken in some Western areas.


Health:
There are no special health requirements for visitors to Ireland. Health insurance is advisable unless from the UK or other EU countries, most of which have reciprocal agreements with Ireland. A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) should be obtained before departing for travel to Ireland. Medical facilities are good, and payment for treatment is usually required in cash.


Tipping:
A 10% tip will be welcomed in restaurants and cafes, but tipping is not usual in bars and pubs. Tipping is not common for other services.


Safety:
Most visitors enjoy a fairly high level of personal safety however travellers should take sensible precautions against petty theft. Terrorism is no more a threat than in other Western countries.


Communications:
The international access code for Ireland is +353 (don't dial the first zero of the area code). The outgoing code is 00, or 048 for Northern Ireland, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main tourist areas.

Airports: Dublin Airport (DUB)
The airport is situated seven miles (11km) north of Dublin, near the M50 and M1 motorways. Time: GMT (GMT +1 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October). Contacts: Main number: +353 (0)1 8141111. Car parking: +353 (0)1 8144328. Transfer to the city: Several bus services, involving more than 700 buses, connect the airport to all parts of Dublin and the city's central train station both day and night. Taxis are available outside the arrivals hall, the fare is best agreed in advance and should be around €20 to the city centre.

Facilities: Airport facilities include a bureau de change and ATMs, numerous restaurants, pubs and bars, several shops, a church and tourist information. Disabled passengers are well catered for; travellers with special needs are advised to contact their airline in advance. Parking: One short-term car park close to the terminal; one off-site long-term car park serviced by free shuttle service. Website: www.dublin-airport.com

Shannon Airport (SNN)
Location: The airport is situated 15 miles (24km) from Limerick City and Ennis, and 56 miles (90km) from Galway City. Time: GMT (GMT +1 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October). Contacts: Tel: +353 (0)61 712 000 (switchboard); 712 400 (information desk, 6am - midnight); 471 664 (tourist information). Transfer to the city: Taxis operate day and night, buses and coaches operate during the day to Limerick and other Irish cities.

Facilities: Shannon Airport is fairly small and facilities are not extensive, but include a bureau de change, ATMs, restaurants and bars and several shops. There are good facilities for disabled passengers; travellers with special needs should contact their airline in advance. Parking: Short- and long-term car parking is available. Website: www.shannonairport.com

Currency:
Money: The unit of currency is the Euro (€). Currency can be exchanged at banks and bureaux de change and ATMs are widely available. Credit and debit cards, as well as travellers cheques, are widely accepted.

Visa & Passport Requirements:
Entry requirements for Americans: United States nationals require a passport (valid for six months) but no visa is needed for stays of up to three months.

Entry requirements for UK nationals: British citizens travelling from Great Britain to Ireland only require a proof of nationality. Otherwise British travellers coming from another country require a passport. No visa is required if the passport is endorsed British Citizen, British National (Overseas) or British Dependent Territories Citizen. In all other cases, a visa is required.

Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian nationals require a passport (valid for at least six months), but no visa is needed for stays of up to three months.

Entry requirements for Australians: Australians require a passport (valid for at least six months), but no visa is needed for stays of up to three months.

Entry requirements for South Africans: South African nationals must hold a valid passport (valid for six months), but no visa is needed for stays of up to three months.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealanders require a passport valid for at least six months. No visa is needed for a stay of up to three months.

Passport/Visa Note: Passports should be valid for at least six months from date of entry. It is recommended that all nationals, other than those from the EU, hold a return or onward ticket, and must have sufficient funds to cover intended period of stay.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

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