Ireland
Travel tips for Ireland: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.
Cash and cards
Cards work almost everywhere. Recent reports show Ireland is nearly cashless, with contactless widely accepted even in rural villages and taxis, meaning visitors can easily go cashless by using a Leap card for buses that don't yet accept direct card taps.
Try the food
- Irish Stew (Stobhach Gaelach): A hearty, slow-cooked broth traditionally made with lamb or mutton, potatoes, onions, and root vegetables.
- Boxty (Bacstaí): A traditional, savory potato pancake made from a mixture of mashed and grated raw potatoes, fried until golden brown.
- Soda Bread (Arán Sóide): A dense, crusty bread leavened with baking soda and buttermilk instead of yeast, often served with generous amounts of butter.
Essentials
- Plugs
- Type G
- Voltage
- 230V, 50Hz
- Driving
- Left side
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Emergency
- 112 or 999 (all services)
- SIM tip
- Pick up a prepaid SIM card from providers like Vodafone, Three, or Eir at the airport or high street shops, or download an eSIM via apps like Airalo before arrival.
Etiquette
Tipping 10-15% is customary in restaurants if a service charge is not included, but tipping for drinks ordered at a pub bar is not expected.