Useful Information

Social Customs

The Irish don't stand on ceremony and are generally relaxed and easygoing. The handshake is the traditional greeting, although the European custom of kissing one or both cheeks is increasingly popular as a form of greeting between friends of both sexes.

In the pub, a system of 'rounds' is often used. This system dictates that all members of the group will buy, or at least offer to buy, drinks for all others in the group. Dodging the 'rounds' system and leaving before it's your turn to buy drinks won't win you any popularity points. It is important to note that barmen, lounge staff and coffee-shop staff will usually expect to be paid immediately after serving drinks. Smoking is strictly forbiden in all establishments.

Driving

As in Japan, Australia, and Britain, motorists drive on the left-hand side of the road in Ireland. This can be a little disconcerting for visitors but after a couple of days of careful driving you should get used to it. The speed limit is 96 kmph/60 mph unless otherwise stated. Main roads are patrolled by unmarked police cars doing speed checks with sophisticated cameras and tracking equipment. Gardai also mount checkpoints on all roads on a regular basis.

Wheel-clamping was introduced in August 1998. Illegally parked cars - either on a single or double-yellow line, on a footpath, on a disabled parking space, or where meter fees run out - are liable to be clamped. The declamping penalty is €80. Illegally parked cars which cause a danger to the public are also liable to be towed away.

Post

Standard stamps costing 48c, (open or closed) and used to post letters to anywhere in Ireland or Europe, can be purchased in post offices, from machines, or in selected newsagents.
Letter postage for non-European countries costs 55c economy and 60c proirity. While and a 65c stamp is required to post proirity mail to the rest of the World.
Post offices are open from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m, Monday to Friday, and from 9 a.m. to lunchtime on Saturdays.
The historical General Post Office on O'Connell Street is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m, Monday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. on Sundays.

Telephones

The dialling code for Ireland from abroad is 353 and the code for Dublin is 01. When calling the city from another country dial +353 1 (i.e. drop the zero in the Dublin code) and then the number you require. Public telephones are widely available. They are usually found on streets, in post offices and in many shops, restaurants and bars. There are three types of public telephone, the most common of which is the card phone. Cards - with 10, 20 and 50 units - can be bought in post offices and in most newsagents. Coin phones are generally restricted to the city centre. Local calls cost 40c for three minutes, or one card phone unit, while international calls will cost in the region of 80c for three minutes.

A limited number of credit card phones are available, generally in hotels. Calls from hotel rooms are expensive - they multiply the cost by at least three.

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