Europe

Ireland
Still current at: 26 November 2009 Updated: 25 August 2009

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary (consular statistics). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

Travel advice for this country

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

For more general information see Terrorism abroad.

Crime

Most visitors to Ireland enjoy a trouble-free time and experience no difficulties during their stay. The capital, Dublin, is a bustling city and tends to be the centre for nightlife and shopping, attracting a lot of people. The Dublin shopping centre is very busy especially at weekends. Take normal, sensible precautions to avoid personal attacks, bag snatching and pick pocketing. Try to avoid carrying valuables and large sums of money.

You should make sure that vehicles are properly secured, and where possible park in secure parking lots. Do not leave valuables such as handbags or mobile phones in your car.

For more general information see Victims of crime abroad.

Political Situation

Ireland Country Profile

Local Travel

Road Travel

In 2007 there were 338 road deaths in Ireland (source: DfT). This equates to 7.8 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.0 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2007

Most road signs in Ireland are metric measurements.

Do not drink and drive over the legal drinking limit. You may be heavily penalised or even imprisoned. Since July 2006, the Garda Traffic Corps has been empowered to conduct random breath-tests on drivers. Holding and using a mobile phone whilst driving is also banned.

For more general information see Driving abroad.

Air Travel

The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in Ireland. For more details about this see Airline security

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Contacts

Ireland, Dublin, British Embassy

Address:

British Embassy
29 Merrion Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4

Telephone:

(353) (1) 205 3775 Trade and Investment
(353) (1) 205 3742 Press & Public Affairs enquiries only
1570 214 666 (in Ireland, charged at €1.75 per minute) or 0906 664 1717 (from the UK, charged at £1.50 per minute). All passport enquiries are handled on our behalf by Abtran.
1570 214 314 (in Ireland, charged at €1.75 per minute) or 00 353 76 670 9865 (if calling outside of Ireland, callcharged at $14). All UK visa enquiries are handled on our behalf by WordBridge Service.

Fax:

(353) (1) 205 3885 Management
(353) (1) 205 3880 Trade and Investment
(353) (1) 205 3731 Chancery
(353) (1) 205 3890 Visa
(353) (1) 205 3820 Passports
(353) (1) 205 3779 Consular
(353) (1) 205 3893 Press & Public Affairs

Email: management.dubli@fco.gov.uk

Email: consular.dubli@fco.gov.uk

Email: chancery.dublx@fco.gov.uk

Office hours:

GMT: (Local Time = GMT)
Mon-Thurs: 0900-1245 / 1400-1715
Fri: 0900-1245 / 1400-1700

Website: http://britishembassyinireland.fco.gov.uk/en/