Area:
44 square miles

Time Zone:
Greenwich Mean Time: 5 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in New York.(6 hours ahead of central time in Chicago, etc.)

International Dialing Code:
to place telephone calls outside Dublin but within Ireland, add '01' to the front of the number. From outside Ireland, use Ireland's international code as a prefix: 353. Dublin's city code is 01. Calling cards can be purchased at news stands and post offices in Ireland to use in placing calls from public or private phones. To call the operator: dial 1190. Emergency (police; fire; ambulance): 999.

Currency :
Irish pound (or punt) (£ )which is equal to 100 pence (p). At present and until July 1, 2002, Irish currency is still being accepted during the transition time following the introduction of euro currency. Credit cards are accepted at larger restaurants, but cash is still the monetary medium of choice in Dublin. When obtaining travelers' checks, be sure they are in Irish £s and not in British £s sterling. The easiest method of securing cash at the best exchange rate is to make withdrawals using a US credit card from the ATM machines found at the major banks.

Customs Regulations:
Telephone: 1 855 4045 in Dublin for information.

While in Dublin, for an up to date weather forecast, dial 1 550 123 854 (cost is 58p per minute)

National Holidays:
Jan. 1 New Year's Day
Mar. 17 St. Patrick's Day
Good Friday and Easter Monday (dates vary each year - Mar. or April)
1st Mon. of May May Day holiday
Whit Monday (late May or early June)
1st Mon. of August August holiday
Last Mon. of Oct. October holiday Dec. 25 Christmas day
Dec. 26 St. Stephen's day

Public rest rooms:
In short supply except in pubs and large department stores: Signs may be in Irish: women = mna men = fir.

Electricity:
220volt A/C. Most hotels have 110V shaver outlets. Plugs have 3 square pins.