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 About Ireland
About Ireland
To help you plan your Irish vacation; we at GoIreland.com have put together some general information
about the island of Ireland. Find out more about the Irish weather or about the currencies in use.
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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).
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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.
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Climate
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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. |
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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.
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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.
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Postage Stamps
You should use Irish postage stamps on letters posted in the Republic and British postage stamps on letters
posted in Northern Ireland.
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Useful Phone Numbers in Ireland
- GoIreland.com (for credit card reservation ONLY): 00800 369 37412
- Nova Car Hire: 1800 200 115
- 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
- Department of Foreign Affairs: 01 478 0822
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