Irish Language, Culture, and Travel Requirements

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Ireland Travel: Vacation Guide and Resources

In the past, waves of Irish emigrants settled in the United States and other countries. More recently, many Irish are returning home. The one thing that doesn't change is the popularity of Ireland travel. People flock to Ireland for golf, sightseeing and Irish history. This Web Guide can help you plan an Ireland vacation, from making travel reservations to arranging castle stays. Ireland travel will introduce you to “craic,” a celtic term referring to good music, good drink and good people—in other words, a good time. Our Web Guide will show you how to start planning your Ireland vacation.

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Ireland Tourism Resources

The Republic of Ireland includes 83 percent of the country and 26 counties, while Northern Ireland ... read more »

Irish Language, Culture, and Travel Requirements

Before traveling anywhere, you'll want to know a bit about the culture, customs, and health and safety issues of the place you're visiting. Below, you'll find official government portals online, as well as sites devoted to the history and culture of Ireland, and practical sites to help you with currency conversion and phoning home.

Dulcinea's Insight

To learn how to place a call to Ireland from any country, try the easy-to-use tool provided by Country Codes. From the U.S., dial 011 + 353 (Ireland's country code), then drop the zero from the town code and dial the rest of the number.

The Irish Independent and The Irish Times are the two main newspapers in Ireland. The Times requires a subscription to read most of the articles, however, the Independent does not. Read up for insight into current events and cultural happenings.

"Cloudy with a few showers" is a weather forecast you will hear often in Ireland. You never know when the skies might open up, so always carry an umbrella. To be extra prepared, get the latest forecasts from Met Éireann, the Irish Meteorological Service.

Dulcinea's Picks

To brush up on the history, language, and culture of Ireland ...

The Embassy of Ireland covers all the basics, including the Irish economy and language, culture and media, and government and foreign policy, which has a sub-section on history. Additional topics, such as pet travel and general information on living and woring in Ireland are also featured in an efficient, straight forward manner.

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The Arts Council has information on all cultural events happening in Ireland. An especially helpful feature is the link database, in which you can enter a keyword, area of work, and preferred location. The database will then provide you with the festival, event, or artist you are searching for.

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RealTravel features blog entries about travels to Ireland, which may give you insight into Irish culture. Topics covered include walking around Dublin, kissing the Blarney Stone, and finding that there's more to the Aaran Islands than just the sweaters.

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The BBC outlines The Troubles, a turbulent period in Northern Ireland that has had a significant impact on the entire country. Learn how Northern Ireland evolved, discover important events throughout history that led to The Troubles, and get guided through the area’s political parties and paramilitaries.

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The Gaelic Athletic Association is a thorough resource for Ireland's sports fans, covering hurling, Gaelic football, and other uniquely Irish athletic endeavors. Get match news and results, and learn the history and rules of each sport.

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For currency ...

X-rates.com calculates the difference between all types of currency, including the Euro and the U.S. dollar. On average for 2007, the Euro has remained at or above the equivalent of 1.30 U.S. dollars, according to x-rates.

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To get familiar with regulations, health advisories, and entry requirements ...

The U.S. Department of State maintains "Consular Information Sheets" for each country. Here, you'll find any relevant travel warnings and advisories in affect, as well as crime updates, and information about medical facilities. On the left side of the page, link back to the "International Travel Information" page for passport and visa requirements, tips for traveling abroad, and more. Any U.S. citizen traveling to Ireland needs a passport to enter the country, but does not need a visa if staying less than three months.

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