Ireland

Capital: Dublin
Population:  4.641 million
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Languages: English
Drives on the: Left
Time zone: IST (UTC +1) in summer; GMT (UTC 0) in winter

U.S. citizens must have a passport which is valid for at least 90 days after your return date, though we strongly recommend at least six months. U.S. passport holders do not need a visa to enter Ireland for stays up to 90 days. See the U.S. Dept. of State website for more information.

If you do not hold a U.S. passport, you are responsible for obtaining any necessary visas and meeting all entry requirements. If a visa is required, we recommend using a fee-based visa service, such as our preferred provider VisaHQ.

More information about passports & visas.

There are no health precautions or requirements to enter Ireland. Food and tap water are safe to consume. 

Center for Disease Control
World Health Organization

Overall, Ireland has a mild but changeable oceanic climate with few extremes. In Ireland you may indeed experience 'four seasons in one day', so pack accordingly and keep up-to-date with the latest weather forecast. No matter the weather, expect it to be a topic of conversation amongst the locals. 

You may notice slight differences in temperate between the north and south of the country, and more rain in the west compared with the east. 

Regardless of when you visit Ireland, even in middle of the summer, you will more than likely experience rain, so if you intend being outdoors, a waterproof coat is recommended.

ATMs are widely available in every city and town in the country and credit cards are accepted in 90% of outlets. Fees are not generally charged by Irish ATMs (but your bank may charge a fee).

Always notify your bank prior to departure to avoid any problems using your credit or debit card abroad.

Some of the most popular items sold in Ireland are Waterford Crystal, Irish Whiskey, Butler's Candies, traditional Irish music, Celtic crafts & artwork. 

230 volts. You will need a voltage converter and plug adapter in order to use U.S. appliances. We recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit. View more information about electrical standards around the world. 

Want to take your cell phone, tablet or laptop, but not sure how to get cell service or wifi? See our blog posts on using your cell phone abroad and the top 5 ways to get Internet abroad.