Europe

Ireland

Still current at: 17 May 2008

Updated: 06 May 2008

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 2005 there were 399 road deaths in Ireland (source: DfT).  This equates to 9.7 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.5 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2005.

 

All 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

It is now illegal to smoke in places of employment in Ireland.  This covers pubs and restaurants.  Do not be tempted to light up.

 

Do not become involved with drugs of any kind.  Possession of even small quantities can lead to long terms of imprisonment.  Do not offer to carry parcels or luggage for any other person when entering or leaving Ireland.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Ireland, along with the UK, is a member of the Common Travel Area.  This means that British Citizens do not require a passport to visit Ireland. However, Irish immigration officers will check the IDs of all passengers arriving by air from the UK and most airlines will not carry passengers to and from Ireland unless they have seen satisfactory photographic ID before boarding.  Travellers to Ireland are therefore encouraged to take their British passports with them.

 

Other than passports, some carriers may accept other types of photographic ID.  For their acceptability, please consult your carrier before travelling.  Take care to read any advice they may give when booking tickets on the Internet.

If you need a doctor you may be asked to pay for the consultation there and then.  You should ensure that you have sufficient medical insurance to cover this.

The Form E111 is no longer valid.  You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK.  The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Irish nationals.  It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature.  For more general information see EHIC.

In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 5,000 adults aged 15 or over in Ireland were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.2% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Ireland and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the  NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.
 

Insurance

 

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  You should ensure that you have sufficient medical insurance to cover your stay in Ireland.  If you need a doctor you may be asked to pay for the consultation there and then.  For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

 

Money

 

Check before you travel that your bank cash card can be used in ATM machines in Ireland.

 

Remember that the currency in Ireland is the Euro.

 

On 15 June 2007 new legislation on the controls of cash entering or leaving the EU apply in all Member States.  Any person entering or leaving the EU will have to declare the cash that they are carrying if this amounts to 10,000 euros or more; this includes cheques, travellers' cheques, money orders, etc.  This will not apply to anyone travelling via the EU to a non-EU country, as long as the original journey started outside of the EU nor to those travelling within the EU.