About Ireland

To help you plan your Irish vacation; I've have put together some general information about the island of Ireland. Find out more about the Irish weather or about the currencies in use.
Geography
Climate
Currency
Banking hours
Postage stamps
Useful phone numbers in Ireland


Geography

Ireland is the most westerly country of the European Union, separated from Great Britain by the North Channel on the northeast and the Irish Sea on the east.
Ireland is an island of 84,288 sq. km (32,544 square miles).
Its greatest length is 485 km (302 miles), its greatest width 304 km (189 miles), and its coastline extends for over 5,631 km (3,500 miles).

The highest mountain is Carrantuohill (1,040 mtres/3,414 feet), near Killarney in County Kerry.
The longest river is the Shannon (370 km/230 miles).


The largest lake is Lough Neagh (396 sq. km/153 square miles) in Northern Ireland.

The country is divided into four historic provinces. Ulster (9 counties) in the north; Munster (6 counties) in the south; Leinster (12 counties) in the east; and Connacht (5 counties) in the west.

The population of the 32 counties of Ireland is approximately 5 million.


Climate

Winters in Ireland are mild and summers temperate due to the prevailing southwesterly winds and the influence of the warm waters of the North Atlantic Drift. Ireland has a mild climate all year-averaging 35°-45°F in winter and 65°-75°F in summer. May and June are the sunniest months with an average of over 7 hours of sunshine per day.


Currency

The currency of the Republic of Ireland is euro (€). Euro notes are in seven denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euro. There is 100 cent to the euro and coins are in eight denominations: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent, and 1 and 2 euro.
As Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, the pound sterling (Stg£) is in use and denominations are similar to that of the euro.

Euro currency should only be used in the Republic and sterling currency in Northern Ireland.




Banking hours

Most banks in Ireland are open from Monday to Friday from 10.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 1.30 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. Of these, some branches are open through lunch. There is extended opening until 5.00 p.m. on one day per week (the choice varying from place to place).
In Northern Ireland the opening hours are 10.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Monday to Friday. In some places, the banks close for lunch 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m.

In the Republic and Northern Ireland, in very small villages, banking services may be provided only on two or three days per week. Therefore, it is advisable that you make arrangements to get cash in the bigger centers. Cash dispensers have become more widely available in recent years and post offices can also provide limited cash services.




Postage Stamps

You should use Irish postage stamps on letters posted in the Republic and British postage stamps on letters posted in Northern Ireland.



Useful Phone Numbers in Ireland


GoIreland.com (for credit card reservation ONLY): 00800 369 37412
Sixt Irish Car Rentals: 1850 206088
AA Roadside Rescue: 1800 667 788
Police Tourism Support Services: 1850 661 771
Emergency Services: 999
Irish Tourist Board Information: 1850 230 330
Access for Disabled: 01 668 4181
Bus Eireann: 01 836 6111
Irish Rail: 1850 366 222