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Opening hours november - march 12:00 - 6.00 march - november 10:00 - 10:00

The Euro is now the official currency of Ireland and 11 other EU
member states. The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002;
the Irish Punt was completely replaced by the Euro on 9 February 2002.

1 Euro = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10 and €5. Coins are in denominations of €1, €2 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cent.

Banking & Currency Exchange: Available in banks, airports and in bureaux de change. 24-hour access ATMs are situated at AIB, Main St., and Bank of Ireland on Main St., Dingle. Most towns have 24-hour access ATMs usually situated at major banks and in large service stations.

Credit & Debit Cards: MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club and American Express are widely accepted, as well as Eurocheque cards.

Traveller's cheques: Accepted throughout Ireland. Can be changed to Euros in banks. Visitors are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars, to avoid additional exchange charges, and for practicality.

Banking hours: Tues-Fri 1000-1600. Banks in Dingle stay open on Monday until 1700. The Bureau de Change situated at the AIB on Main St. is opened late during the summer.

Visitiors from the US are eligible to receive a refund of Value Added Tax on goods purchased. The price of the most goods includes value added tax (VAT), so when you are shopping be sure to ask for a tax-free shopping form with each purchase and present these forms, along with your receipts to either 'Global Tax Free Shopping' or 'Tax Back' at the airport prior to your departure.

An E111 form is necessary for you to receive a refund on any medical expenses incurred. You will need to obtain an E111 form from your local centre for social security at least a month before your departure.

In Ireland, the general Emergency Telephone number is 999 or 112, free of charge. These numbers will alert the appropriate service - Fire, Gardaí (Police), Lifeboat, Coastal, Mountain and Cave Rescue Services. Telephone numbers of Garda Stations are listed in the green bordered pages at the front of the Telephone Directories under "Garda Síochána". Victim Support 24 hour helpline number is 1800 661771.

Ireland has Diplomatic Relations with 107 countries. The Department of Foreign Affairs can provide you with a list of countries with which Ireland has diplomatic relations. For the latest information on passports and visa requirements for Ireland, contact the Department of Foreign Affairs 80 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.

The electrical supply throughout Ireland is 230 volts (50 cycles). Plugs are 3-pin flat. Adapters are, therefore, required for 2-pin appliances. En-suite bathroom shaving points normally have 110 and 240 volt outlets for using shavers.

The "Gaeltacht" is the word used to describe areas of Ireland where the native tongue, Irish or "Gaeilge", is still spoken. These "Gaeltacht" areas are primarily confined to rugged and isolated parts of the West and Southwest coast. The Irish language is used here on an everyday basis and is the preferred language to English.

When entering the Gaeltacht, i.e. the Dingle Peninsula, signposts, roadsigns and business names and addresses may be in Irish, or a mixture of Irish and English. We recommend purchasing a good quality road atlas for your trip, as they will have placenames in both Irish and English.

A majority of shops, pubs and commercial premises of all sizes will have their names in Irish above the door. So whether a small pub or a large construction company, the name may be in Irish.

Probably the most common weather prediction or forecast you will hear in Ireland goes something like this: " Nice and Sunny. Maybe a few showers!"

The dominant influence on the climate of the Dingle Peninsula is the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream that the Atlantic carries east from the Gulf of Mexico to bathe our Western Coast. The higher temperature of the Gulf Stream and the mildness of our Winters ensure that we do not suffer from the temperature extremes experienced by other countries at the same line of latitude.

While the west coast can be blustery, strong winds are more common in winter than in summer or spring. Do expect some fresh breezes in our area in summer and spring. The average temperature on the Dingle Peninsula ranges from 5°C in January to 23°C in July/August. Because of the effects of the temperate Gulf Stream, the Dingle Peninsula rarely experiences the bitter winter temperatures common in other European countries.