Ireland

English and Irish Gaelic are Ireland's official languages, though English is more commonly used. Other languages spoken include Ulster-Scots, Shelta, and other foreign languages native to immigrant residents.

Language learning prior to departure: As a University of Illinois student, you have access to library resources (such as Rosetta Stone and Libguides). You may also want to consider free sources, such as Duolingo to learn basic phrases, or to refresh your language skills prior to departure.

You will need to verify with your program provider, and the consulate, if you need a visa for your particular program.

It is common, though, for U.S. citizens (who are also a non-EEA resident) to only need to be granted permission to remain in Ireland by an Immigration officer at the port of entry and register the region you will be staying in.

Read more information about entry requirements into Ireland.

To read more on passport and visa terminology see the Passports & Visas page on the Illinois Abroad and Global Exchange website.

Cell Phones

• • Some past students have purchased a local prepaid SIM card for longer stays in Ireland, with "pay-as-you-go" or monthly plans. You can typically purchase 30-day data plans for anywhere between 15-35 Euros.

  • The 3 main cell data providers are: Vodafone, Hutchison 3, and Meteor.

  • Coverage in rural areas might not be as good as in urban areas, but all plans offer up to 4G data speeds everywhere.

  • Read about cell phones and data plans in Ireland.

  • Make sure you have the Duo Mobile app set up on your phone. If you get a new SIM card, use the passcode options instead of PUSH, or go to UI Verify website to enter your new phone information.

Internet Usage

• • WiFi is widely available in most restaurants, bars, hotels, and cafes in Ireland. You can also rent a pocket WiFi device if you need internet connectivity frequently and will be traveling outside of more populated areas.

Electricity

• • Ireland uses Type G plugs with 3 flat prongs arranged in a triangle instead of two like in the US, so you will need to purchase a plug adapter to use any electronic devices or appliances brought from the U.S. (see pictures below)

  • While an adapter makes your device fit into the local outlet, a converter converts the voltage. The voltage will not be the same as in the U.S. For that reason, it is recommended that you do NOT bring appliances such as hair dryers or hair straighteners with you unless you also purchase a voltage converter.

Payment Methods

• • US credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Ireland. Nevertheless, it is always a good idea to carry with you at least a small amount of local currency in cash for smaller purchases or in case of emergencies.

Banking Tips

• • There are a variety of local banks that operate in Ireland, including Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Bank, and Ulster Bank. All of these offer ATMs where you can extract local currency using your US debit card.

  • It is recommended to make fewer, larger withdrawals to avoid racking up transaction fees. Consult your local bank to ask about international transaction fees, ATM exchange fees, and more before departing for Ireland.

  • Read about banking and ATMs in Ireland.

Student Voices on Money

• • I used a credit card that had no international fees for all of my purchases and I thought that was the best way to do it. Visa cards are the most popular and I think every place I went in Europe took Visa. I know my roommate had a Discover card and not every place took it. When I desperately needed to, I would take money out of the ATM with my debit card. There are a lot of fees when you do this so I usually would take out at least 200 euros or more.

  • Get international debit/credit cards that have no transaction or atm fees. I recommend Charles Schwab debit card, and do not recommend Discover credit card because it was not accepted in Europe at most places or websites.

  • I used a debit card through Capital One because it did not have foreign transaction fees.

  • Students should be prepared to spend more than they expect. There are always additional costs which never come to mind.

  • Get a debit card that does not have foreign transaction fees; don't bring US Dollars, but always have some cash while there

  • I had a capital one venture card which was great because there were no fees for using it abroad and it is meant for traveling so I did not have to report to them when I was going to another destination. I tried to use the card as much as possible, even for the smallest purchases because I did not have a fee-free way to take out cash.

  • My budget was consistent for the most part, the only reason it went up was due to a couple weekend travel flights.

Climate

• • Ireland's climate can be described as mild and humid maritime-influenced.

  • Temperatures in the warmer months from May-September average around 18 degrees Celsius, with some spouts of warmer weather upwards of 25 degrees.

  • Temperatures in the winter rarely fall below freezing, usually averaging about 7 degrees Celsius. Rain is common during all seasons.

Packing

• • You may want to pack lighter clothing in layers for the summer months, including a light jacket or sweaters.

  • More layers and heavier clothing such as long pants, long sleeved-shirts and sweaters, and a winter hat are recommended for the winter, especially for cooler nights.

  • A windbreaker or rain jacket and an umbrella are also a good idea to pack.

  • For more packing tips, visit the Pre-Departure Checklist page.

Travelling locally

• • Ireland has a quite developed public transportation system, entirely above-ground, including bus, rail, and ferry services.

  • Read about public transportation in Ireland and explore transportation schedules.

Traveling in Ireland

• • Coach buses have extensive route options across the country, and you can purchase a Leap Visitor Card for multiple bus uses within major cities.

  • The two main rail operators in Ireland are Irish Rail and Translink (Northern Ireland). Dublin and Belfast are the cities with the most connections to other cities and towns around the country, but they are not the only rail stations.

  • Ferries are offered by numerous providers, although sometimes only seasonally based on weather and tides.

Flights

• • Cities with airports: Dublin Airport, Cork Airport, and Shannon Airport.

  • Main Airlines: Aer Lingus, Aer Arann, Norwegian Air, Scandinavian Air, and more.

Each student faces different barriers and unique challenges based on their identity. Note that how you identify in the United States may not be how you choose to identify abroad because of the local social culture. We encourage all students to reflect on the different aspects of their identity and consider how they may play a role in their study abroad experience. To help with this thought process:

• • Visit the Department of State website.

  • Look into the Diversity Abroad Resources available on our study abroad website.

The Illinois Safety & Security page gives important wellness tips, along with using your insurance and the emergency phone number. Be sure to become familiar with it.

Also, check out the U.S. Embassy page. and the Department of State website.

If your host provider or university doesn't automatically enroll you, consider enrolling yourself in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) with the U.S. Department of State. Registration in STEP will allow you to get alerts on the latest safety and security information. In addition, the information you provide enables the U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in an emergency.

• Ireland is the only country in the world to have a musical instrument, the harp, as its national symbol. You can see some of the oldest harps in the world at Trinity College in Dublin.

• The famous Cliffs of Moher, located in the Burren region on the west coast of Ireland, have been filmed in famous series such as The Princess Bride and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

• Northern Ireland is governed by the United Kingdom, while the rest of Ireland is an independent nation.

• Ireland's patron saint, St. Patrick, is actually not from Ireland! He is from mainland Great Britain, most likely from a region that is part of modern-day Wales. He was captured by Irish pirates and later ordained a bishop in Ireland.