Dublin Essentials

Dublin Essentials

Currency Euro Flight Time UK 1 Hour Time Zone GMT Language Gaelic, English Voltage 240 V (UK three-pin plugs)

Tourist Attractions

Dublin museums and attractions are generally open 7 days a week from 10am-5pm, with the majority closed on public and bank holidays. Admission prices are good value and great savings can be had with the Dublin tourist pass giving free entry to 30 city centre attractions, and free local transport. Dublin Castle is among the most popular sights and is open daily until 4.45pm. It houses elegant state apartments, a royal chapel, library and gardens.

Dublin Opening Hours

Standard shopping opening hours are very similar to those throughout the UK, with stores open for business Monday to Saturday from 9am until 5 or 6pm. Late night shopping traditionally takes place in Dublin on Thursdays, with most open until 8pm. A very limited number of stores and boutiques - especially book shops, open on Sundays and generally operate from 10am until 4pm. There are several lively fresh produce markets in Dublin, such as the Moore Street Market on O'Connell Street, which has similar opening hours.

Food & Drink

Dubliners are becoming increasingly more cosmopolitan in their tastes, and cuisine from every corner of the globe can be found in the city. Visitors should definitely sample some delicious local dishes, such as beef and mutton stew, and pork baked with juniper berries and mustard. Dublin Bay prawns are always a delight and everyone here should have a gastronomic encounter with the humble potato. Whether your preference is Colcannon, Boxty, Champ or simple potato pie, the culinary choices for the spud are endless. A pint of real Dublin Guinness is perfect for washing down a hearty and fulfilling meal.

Tipping & Etiquette

The Irish are extremely open, talkative and friendly and during a weekend, you are sure to gain an army of new best friends, especially during a night out. Visitors will receive a warm handshake and genuine friendly greeting whenever being introduced. There is no official tipping policy that visitors need to follow when spending time in Dublin, and some restaurants add a service charge to bills which do not require any further gratuities, and where this is not the case, a figure of around 10% would suffice. Tips are not really expected in taxis, hotels and pubs.

Irish Phrases For Tourists

Hello Dia dhuit Do you speak English? Conas tá tú? Goodbye Slán agat Excuse me An labhrann tú Béarla? Good Morning Madainn mhath How much is it? Tha mi duilich Good Afternoon Feasgar Math Where is...? Cá bfhuil …? Yes Sea Hotel Óstan No Ní hea The bill please Bialann Please Más é do thoil é Beer Beoir Thank you very much Go raibh maith agat Coffee cupa cofaidh

Dublin Useful Numbers

• Calling the UK from Dublin – 0044 + area code minus zero + number • Police – 999 • Ambulance – 999 • Fire – 999

Disabled Access

Although Dublin does have a relative high proportion of cobbled streets, the city is in general very amenable to wheelchair-users. Airport services, trains and local buses have low clearance access and passenger assistance available. The city tourist authority publishes an accredited list of approved hotels, restaurants and attractions which provide disabled facilities.

Irish Embassies

• GB Embassy - 29 Merrion Road, Dublin 4 Eire (01) 2053700 • Ireland Embassy - 17 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7HR Telephone (020) 7235 2171.

Weather

Dublin's climate is similar to that of the UK, and the city can be damp and wet any time of the year, seeing 150 days of rainfall annually. Summers see the best weather, with highs of 20C and long hours of daylight will into the night, with Dublin not getting dark until around 11pm in the height of the season. May and June are the sunniest months, with 6 hours of sunshine each day. Winter are cold and wet, with December being the wettest month, with temperatures rarely dropping to freezing.