Life in Ireland

What is life like in Ireland?

Ireland is a vibrant and diverse country that boasts a rich history, stunning natural landscapes, and a unique cultural heritage. It is known for its friendly people, lively cities, and rural countryside that is dotted with charming villages. Ireland is a hub of culture, with a thriving music, theatre and arts scene, as well as numerous festivals and events throughout the year. This is a land rich in dramatic coastline, mountains and lakes. You’ll also find some of the best walking trails, scenic drives and golf courses in the world.

Ireland at a glance

• Capital - Dublin
• Population - 5 million
• Currency - Euro (EUR or €)
• Timezone - GMT

Tax

Tax is charged as a percentage of your income and the percentage you pay depends on the amount of your income. The first part of your income, up to a certain amount, is taxed at 20% which is the standard rate of tax. The remainder of your income is taxed at the higher rate of tax of 40%.

Visa Requirements

If you are not an Irish citizen returning home, the VISA you will need will depend on the country from where you are coming. You will also need to apply at least 8 weeks before your departure. The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service will give you more details of this.

Weather in Ireland

People in Ireland love to talk about the weather! Winter is generally cool, wet and windy: we get lots of rain but, usually, it is not cold enough for snow. Spring is calm, cool and dry. Summer is from June until August. Summer can be dry but the amount of rain does vary very much from one area to another. Autumn in Ireland lasts from September to November. This season is very unsettled with rain and gusts of wind to bring down the autumn leaves. The weather forecasting service for Ireland is called Met Eireann.

Public Holidays

Ireland has a total of nine public holidays. As the country is predominantly Catholic, nearly all religious holidays associated with Catholicism and Christianity are observed.

New Year’s Day (1 January)
First Monday in February
Patrick’s Day (17 March)
Easter Monday (date varies)
First Monday in May
First Monday in June
First Monday in August
Last Monday in October
Christmas Day (25 December)
Stephen’s Day (26 December)

Main Embassies

No matter the country that you come from, there is a high chance that you will find its diplomatic mission in Ireland. While the majority of embassies and consulates are in Dublin, a number also have representatives in Galway and Limerick. For a list of embassies in Ireland (and some that operate out of London, but service Ireland), please see the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s website.

Main Airports

The largest airport in Ireland is the Dublin Airport, which services around 30 million travellers annually. By comparison, other airports throughout the country are quite small, but it is still possible to fly in and out of them regularly. Other airports in the country include:

Cork Airport;
Shannon Airport;
Ireland West Airport (County Mayo);
Kerry Airport;
Donegal Airport.
Galway also has two smaller airports with Connemara Airport and Inishmore, which services the Aran Islands.

Public Transport

Public transport is certainly not the only way to travel around the island of Ireland – but it's definitely one of the best! All of the island's public transport is over ground, so all you have to do is peer out the windows to take in our cities, towns and villages – along with some of the most stunning landscapes in between.

Irish Rail - Irish Rail looks after intercity railway services as well as Dart and commuter trains in the Republic of Ireland.
Bus Eireann - Bus Eireann's network of local, city, commuter and long-distance bus services connects communities throughout Ireland.
Dublin Bus - Dublin Bus operated a bus network in the Greater Dublin Area, extending to County Wicklow and County Kildare.
Travel Planning Apps - The National Journey Planner apps provide journey planning and timetable information, as well as real-time apps.