Practical Info A-Z

Ireland (and Northern Ireland) use the British plug type G — three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. German plugs (type C/F) do not fit!

You need a travel adapter (also called “UK adapter”). These are available:

• At home: In electronics stores or on Amazon from 3 €
• At the airport: Available at kiosks in Dublin, Shannon, and Cork (5–10 €)
• In the hotel: Many hotels lend adapters at the reception

Voltage: 230V, 50Hz — identical to Germany. Only the plug is different. No danger to devices.

Tip: Universal adapters with USB ports are the most practical — you can charge your phone, tablet, and camera simultaneously.

German Embassy Dublin

• Address: 31 Trimleston Avenue, Booterstown, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
• Phone: +353 1 269 3011
• Web: dublin.diplo.de
• Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00–12:00 (Consular section)

Austrian Embassy Dublin

• Address: 15 Ailesbury Court, 93 Ailesbury Road, Dublin 4
• Phone: +353 1 269 4577

Swiss Embassy Dublin

• Address: 6 Ailesbury Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
• Phone: +353 1 218 6382

In Northern Ireland: The embassies in London are responsible. The German Embassy in Dublin can assist in emergencies.

Ireland is a EU member, but not in the Schengen Area! This means: There are passport controls upon entry. You need a valid ID card or passport (for EU citizens).

Important Notes

• No Schengen: Ireland has the Common Travel Area (CTA) with the United Kingdom — hence its own border controls
• Northern Ireland Border: There are no border controls between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. You'll notice the border crossing only by the road signs (miles instead of kilometers, £ instead of €)
• ID card is sufficient: For EU citizens, the ID card is enough. A passport is recommended, as airlines sometimes do not accept the ID card
• Swiss citizens: Passport required (ID card is not always accepted)
• No visa required for EU/EFTA citizens up to 90 days

In the Republic of Ireland, the Euro (€) is used. In Northern Ireland, the Pound Sterling (£) is used.

Republic of Ireland (Euro)

• Credit cards: Almost universally accepted — Visa and Mastercard. Contactless (Tap to Pay) is standard, even for small amounts
• Cash: Less frequently needed, but sometimes still necessary in small rural pubs. ATMs available everywhere
• EC card (girocard): Works at some ATMs (Maestro), but not for payments in stores. A Visa/Mastercard debit card is recommended

Northern Ireland (Pound Sterling)

• Only the Pound is valid in Northern Ireland! Euros are not accepted in stores (some tourist attractions accept Euros at a poor rate)
• ATMs: Available everywhere. Withdraw Pounds at the ATM — exchange offices have poor rates
• Note: Northern Irish banknotes (from Ulster Bank, Danske Bank, Bank of Ireland) look different from Bank of England notes and are sometimes not accepted in England!
• Credit cards: Universally accepted, contactless is standard

Tipping

• Restaurant: 10–15% if no service charge is on the bill
• Pub (Bar): No tipping at the counter. If food is served at the table: 10%
• Taxi: Round up to the next Euro
• Hotel: 1–2 € for porters, housekeeping optional

Ireland has a good healthcare system accessible to EU citizens with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). However, a travel health insurance is recommended — it covers repatriation and private treatment.

• Emergency number: 112 or 999 (both work)
• Pharmacies: Available in every town. Many medications (Ibuprofen, Paracetamol) are only available in pharmacies, not in supermarkets
• No vaccination required (standard vaccinations sufficient)
• Ticks: Possible in the Wicklow Mountains and the south. No TBE, but Lyme disease
• Midges: Small biting midges, especially in the west from May to September. No malaria risk, but extremely annoying. Pack insect repellent (DEET)

In the Republic of Ireland, EU roaming applies — you use your German data volume without extra charge. In Northern Ireland (UK), EU roaming does not automatically apply since Brexit! Check your tariff in advance — many German providers have re-included the UK in the EU roaming zone, but not all.

• Wi-Fi: Almost universally available for free in hotels, B&Bs, and cafes. Quality varies in rural areas
• Mobile network: 4G/5G good in cities, in rural areas (especially west) there can be dead zones
• Local SIM: Three Ireland offers affordable prepaid SIMs at the airport (20 € for 30 days with 30 GB)
• Offline maps: Download Google Maps offline for rural areas — mobile reception is patchy in Connemara, Beara, and parts of Donegal

Ireland drives on the left — like Great Britain. For most German travelers, this is the biggest challenge. The good news: You get used to it faster than expected. The bad news: The first 30 minutes are nerve-wracking.

Tips for Left-Hand Traffic Beginners

• Book automatic! The gear stick is on the left, the gears are mirrored. Automatic eliminates a source of error
• Roundabouts: Clockwise! Look right, look left, then enter. Traffic comes from the RIGHT
• Wipers instead of indicators: The indicator lever is on the right side of the steering wheel. The first few days you'll turn on the wipers at every turn
• “Hug the left”: Always stay left. After overtaking: move back to the left. When parking: pull over to the left side of the road
• Country roads: Narrow roads with hedges on both sides, no shoulder, oncoming traffic. Drive slowly, fold in side mirrors, keep calm
• First day: Avoid Dublin and the Ring of Kerry. Get used to it on quiet country roads

Speed Limits

• Shops: Mon–Sat 9:00–18:00 (large chains until 21:00), Sun 12:00–18:00
• Supermarkets: Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Aldi, Lidl: Mon–Sat 8:00–22:00, Sun 9:00–21:00
• Pubs: Usually open from 10:30. Last orders: Mon–Thu 23:30, Fri–Sat 00:30, Sun 23:00. Many pubs with Late Bar until 1:30–2:00
• Restaurants: Lunch 12:00–14:30, Dinner 17:30–21:30 (kitchen closing)
• Banks: Mon–Fri 10:00–16:00 (some until 17:00 on Thursday)
• Museums: Usually 10:00–17:00, many closed on Mondays (especially in winter)
• Churches/Cathedrals: Varies greatly, usually 9:00–17:00 (restricted on Sundays due to services)

Ireland is one of the safest travel countries in Europe. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The biggest “dangers” are:

• Pickpocketing: In Dublin (Temple Bar, Grafton Street, public transport) as in any big city. Keep valuables close to your body
• Left-hand traffic: The biggest risk factor for tourists. Stay focused, especially at roundabouts and narrow country roads
• Cliffs: Many Irish cliffs have NO railings. The wind can pick up suddenly. Never go too close to the edge, especially when wet
• Alcohol: The Irish drinking culture is sociable but can be intense. “Rounds” come quickly one after another
• Northern Ireland: Safe for tourists, but tensions can arise during parades (especially July 12 — Orangemen's Day). Avoid these areas

Emergency number: 112 or 999 (Police: Garda Síochána, Fire Brigade, Ambulance)

The Irish weather is unpredictable — four seasons in one day is no exaggeration. The Gulf Stream provides mild temperatures (rarely below 0°C in winter, rarely above 25°C in summer), but also lots of rain. The Irish wisdom: “There's no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes."

Packing List Essentials

• Waterproof jacket: A MUST. Not an umbrella — the wind will destroy it within minutes. A good waterproof jacket with a hood (Gore-Tex or similar) is the most important investment
• Layers: T-shirt + fleece/sweater + jacket. In summer, it can be 12°C in the morning and 22°C in the afternoon
• Hiking boots: Even if you don't plan big hikes — the coastal paths and cliff trails are often muddy and slippery
• Hat & scarf: Even in summer! The wind howls on the cliffs
• Sunglasses & sunscreen: Underestimated! The UV radiation is strong in clear weather despite low temperatures. And there ARE clear days!

What You DON'T Need

• Umbrella — useless in the Irish wind
• Flip-flops — it never gets warm enough
• Evening wear — even upscale restaurants are casual. Clean jeans and a neat shirt are enough everywhere

On Bank Holidays, banks and many shops are closed. Tourist attractions, pubs, and restaurants usually remain open.

Within the EU (Republic of Ireland ↔ Germany) there are no customs restrictions for personal use. In Northern Ireland (UK), different rules apply since Brexit:

• Alcohol: Max. 42 liters of beer, 18 liters of wine, 4 liters of spirits from the UK to the EU
• Tobacco: 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco
• Value limit: 430 € for souvenirs from the UK

Irish Souvenirs

• Aran Sweater: Hand-knitted wool sweaters with traditional patterns. Each pattern tells a story. Truly handmade: from 80–200 €
• Claddagh Ring: A ring from Galway with a heart, crown, and hands (love, loyalty, friendship). How you wear it reveals your relationship status
• Irish Whiskey: Bushmills, Jameson, Powers, Redbreast. Available in Duty-Free or distillery shops
• Kerrygold Butter: The best butter in the world (according to the Irish and many others)
• Tweed: Donegal Tweed is world-famous. Magee in Donegal Town is the place to go
• Waterford Crystal: Handmade crystal glass from Waterford
• Barry's Tea / Lyons Tea: Irish tea as a souvenir — costs almost nothing