GETTING THERE
By Scheduled Air
Aer Lingus: Los Angeles, New York (Kennedy), Boston, Chicago
and Newark to Shannon and Dublin.
Delta: Atlanta and New York (Kennedy) to Dublin and
Shannon.
Continental: Newark to Dublin and Shannon.
Aeroflot: Miami to Shannon (twice weekly).By Sea
Norse Irish Sea Ferries: Between Belfast and Liverpool,
England.
P&O European Ferries: Between Larne, County Antrim, and
Cairnryan or Stranraer, Scotland.
Sea Cat: Between Stranraer and Belfast.
Stena Line: Between Belfast and Stranraer.ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A valid U.S. passport is required for travel in both the
Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
CURRENCY
The currency for Northern Ireland is the British pound and for
the Republic of Ireland the Irish pound (punt). At press time, the
exchange rate for the British pound was £1 to $1.60 and for the
Irish pound £1 to $1.28.
TAXES & TIPS
The Value Added Tax (VAT) is 17.5% in Northern Ireland and 21%
in the Republic of Ireland.
Visitors can obtain a refund of the VAT when charged for
products (not services) by requesting a tax-free shopping form with
each purchase and presenting it at customs.
Many, but not all, hotels and restaurants include a service
charge on bills. When not included, a 15% tip is the norm. A 10%
tip is appropriate for taxi drivers. Tipping is not usual in
pubs.
DIALING IRELAND
The country code for Northern Ireland is 44 and for the
Republic of Ireland 353.
When dialing numbers in both the North and the South, drop the
0 that precedes the area code.
The area code for Northern Ireland has changed to 028. Callers
should dial the new 28 code when calling from both inside and
outside Northern Ireland, dropping the zero when calling from
overseas.
In Northern Ireland new two- or three-digit exchanges are
replacing former exchanges so local five- and six-digit numbers
will become eight digits long. For example, the number for the
Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau will change from 1504 377577 to
028 7137 7577. When calling from the U.S., dial (011) 44 28 7137
7577.TIME
All of Ireland is five hours ahead of Eastern Time.
TOURIST BOARDS
Irish Tourist Board Agent-only help line: (800) 669-9967
2000 promotional blitz, agent seminars: (212) 418-0800, Ext.
815.
Irish Road Show: (800) 669-9967
Brochures and information: (800) 223-6470
www.irelandvacations.com
Northern Ireland Tourist Board:(800) 326-0036; (212)
922-0101
www.ni-tourism.com
British Tourist Authority: (800) 462-2748
www.travelbritain.org