Shannon Essentials

Shannon Essentials & Tourist Information

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

Shannon Tourist Attractions
The surrounding countryside is home to some magical castle ruins and country houses and estates that are well worth a full day excursion. Take a guided bus tour to the Italianate Clonalis House, full of opulent antique furniture and art or the medieval Portumna Castle, sited on the shore of serene Lake Derg. The mysterious Athlone Castle is perhaps the highlight and dates back to the 13th century. It is open from May to October daily and costs €17 for a family ticket.   

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 pease	Bialann
Please	Más é do thoil é		Beer	Beoir
Thank you very much	Go raibh maith agat		Coffee	cupa cofaidh

Shannon Opening Hours
Shannon retail stores open at 9am until 6pm from Monday to Saturday with some staying open well into the evening for Thursday late night shopping. Sundays sees virtually every retail business closed except for a small number of newsagents and convenience stores. Banks in Shannon are open for business Monday - Friday from 9am until 4pm.
                                                              
Tipping & Etiquette in Shannon
Not all eateries automatically include service on bills, so in general 10-15% extra would be an adequate amount for a satisfactory meal. It is customary to tip a small amount in bars and coffee shops and to round up fares for taxi journeys. Hotel staff such as chambermaids and porters may expect a small reward for services provided.

Shannon Food & Drink
Local cuisine can best be described as wholesome farmhouse style cooking that also features an abundance of seafood. Catches include mussels and prawns and locally produced Crannach (seaweed). All the typical Irish favourites are found in Shannon's restaurants such as Irish Pheasant, stews, bacon and cabbage and the many varieties of soda bread. There are several gastro pubs that have inventive menus combining fresh local ingredients with Mediterranean and Asian flavours offering a unique Irish culinary experience. 

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

Disabled Access in Shanon
Shannon has relatively uncongested roads and wide pavements making short journeys within the centre enjoyable and trouble free for disabled visitors. However for longer trips into the surrounding countryside, private hire minibuses are required as very few local buses are accessible. A small number of hotels have wheelchair friendly accommodation and the majority of shops and restaurants are within a wide pedestrianised area.

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