Ireland, a large island in western Europe, experiences warm summers and moderate winter. The weather in Ireland changes frequently from cloudy to sunny, thus the running joke that the Irish cannot trust the weatherman. For those planning to visit Ireland in the summer, lightweight clothes are recommended. For those visiting in the spring or fall, a jacket is advised along with slightly heavier clothing. It is advised to bring a raincoat at all times for those sudden rain showers.
In Ireland, English is spoken by nearly everyone, while a small percentage maintain their Gaelic roots and speak Irish. When meeting an Irish person for the first time, a handshake is customary. The Irish are naturally social people and will have a lively chat with pretty much anyone. Foreigners are welcomed in Ireland and are made at home. Irish fare, once considered dodgy, is becoming a gastronomical delight. Dress is casual, but at social functions and fancy restaurants, women are expected to dress more formally. Smoking in public places is prohibited despite the large smoking population in Ireland. Fleas markets are a common occurrence in Ireland. These are always filled with people looking for low prices on food and household goods. Belfast is one great place to shop, but many of the stores close early. A tax of 17% is charged on all goods, but this amount can be reclaimed on the way out of Ireland. Tipping is customary in Ireland and they are generally 10% of the restaurant bill. Tipping porters and hair stylists is also customary in Ireland.
Ireland is famous for its many castles, its vast and beautiful landscapes, and its coastal cliffs. The Ring of Kerry is one of the most beautiful routes in all of Ireland that tourists often visit. The Ring of Kerry was Charlie Chaplin’s favorite travel destination. Chaplin liked it so much that today a statue of him stands in the area commemorating this. Another favorite is the Castle Blarney, the Guinness Brewery, as well as Giant’s Causeway which is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns which are the result of volcanic activity. This put Giant’s Causeway on UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Dingle Peninsula in the southwest of Ireland is also a big tourist attraction. The vista is so large that one photo cannot take in the views that eyes can see. Panoramic images are often taken of this breathtaking scene.
For those flying into Ireland, Aer Lingus services the country as the national airline. Most other large airlines also service flights to Ireland. Ireland has two major airports, one of which is Dublin Airport which services flights to the capital of Ireland, Dublin. The other airport is Shannon Airport which is near Limerick City. Both airports offer duty free shops, transport, restaurants, and more so that travelers have something to do while they wait. For those interested in ferry service, there are ports at Baltimore, Galway, Dublin, Wexford, and Kinsale. The ferries are often affordable and offer quick service.
Duty free items include 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; one liter of spirits and distilled beverages with more that 22% alcohol content or two liters of other alcoholic beverages with an alcoholic strength not exceeding 22%, which includes sparkling or fortified wine, and two liters of table wine; 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette. Anyone carrying duty free items must be at least 17 years of age. Sharp objects, explosives, firearms, food, and agricultural items are prohibited.
3 Dec
