| Ireland ((in)Ireland (ga)Éire Airlann (sco)) | |
 | |
| Classiebawn Castle | |
| Information | |
| Region | British islands |
|---|---|
| Area | 81 638 km² |
| Population | 5 981 448 hab. (2006) |
| Density | 73,27 inhab./km² |
| Spindle | UTC ± 00: 00 |
| Location | |
 53 ° 27 ′ 36 ″ N 7 ° 45 ′ 36 ″ W | |
TheIreland is an island of British islands including the Republic of Ireland and theNorth Ireland.
Understand
The island of Ireland covers an area as large as that ofAustria. It is the third largest island inEurope. Most of the island is occupied by the Republic of Ireland, an independent country, while the northern part is occupied byNorth Ireland, a country constituting UK. Nevertheless, the two sides share a common history and culture. For example, rugby athletes from Northern Ireland are part of the Republic of Ireland teams for European and international competitions.
Regions
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Cities
- 1 Armagh – Formerly the capital ofUlster, capital of county armagh.
- 2 Belfast – Capital and largest city ofNorth Ireland.
- 3 Cork – Located in the south of the island, the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and capital of county cork.
- 4 Derry (Londonderry) – Second largest city inNorth Ireland.
- 5 Dublin – Capital of Republic of Ireland and largest city in Ireland.
- 6 Galway – Located on the west coast of the island, the fourth largest agglomeration of the Republic of Ireland and capital of county galway.
- 7 Limerick – Third largest city in the Republic of Ireland and main town in the west of the island.
- 8 Waterford – Main town in the south-east of the island and capital of County Waterford.
Other destinations
- 1 Giants Causeway – A volcanic formation located on the coast of Northern Ireland. The site has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1986
- 2 Cliffs of Moher – The most visited natural site in the country.
- 3 Burren National Park – A desert karst plateau located northwest of County Clare
- 4 Rock of Cashel – Former home of the kings of Munster.
To go
Entry formalities
The Republic of Ireland and theNorth Ireland are separate jurisdictions. The Republic of Ireland has its own rules while Northern Ireland follows the rules of UK. Nevertheless, the two administrations have a great cooperation and coordination between them to such an extent that there are no customs controls between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland since they are part of a common travel area (Common Travel Area in English) With l'Isle of man, the Jersey and the Guernsey. So, if you don't need a visa to enter the Republic of Ireland, you can freely travel to Northern Ireland and vice versa. However, you may be asked for your passport or a national identity card in order to prove that you are indeed a citizen of a country that can benefit from the common travel area. On the other hand, with the exception of some countries, if you need a visa to enter one of the countries, you will need to apply for a separate visa in order to legally enter the other. See the Republic of Ireland and UK pages for more information.
Regarding future traffic conditions between the two "Ireland»As part of the Brexit which is due to take effect in March 2019, it is not yet possible to give precise information ... everything being closely linked to the progress of negotiations between the British and European authorities.
By plane
Ireland's main airport is Dublin (IATA : DUB). It is in fact the eighth largest airport in theEurope. It is served by direct international flights to several countries including United States, the Canada, the UK and the countries of continental Europe and Middle East. Other important international airports are those of Belfast (IATA : BFS), from Shannon (IATA : SNN) and of Cork (IATA : ORK).
Circulate
By plane
Considering the size of the country, they are of little interest and are sometimes expensive. Most major cities (Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick ...) are however served by regional and international airports. Bus companies run from the airport to the city center for a nominal fee.
- Ryanair (in French) now offers heavily discounted flights between Dublin and Cork. Prices start at 20 € Round trip including taxes: round trip bus at 18 € and return train to 59 €.
- Aer Arann (in French) also offers relatively inexpensive fares for Dublin, Galway, Cork airports, etc.
By train
- Irish Rail / Iarnród Éireann : A few train lines serve most of the territory. Tickets are quite expensive if purchased the day before or the same day, but attractive discounts can be obtained by booking in advance via the Internet. For example, a Dublin-Kerry trip will cost around € 45 if purchased the same day, but only € 20 if booked a week in advance. Reduction formulas, whether or not combined with the buses, exist, often valid as an extension to theUlster.
Given the state of Ireland's roads, the train is arguably the most comfortable way to travel. It's also a good way to explore the hinterland - the scenery between Limerick and Tipperary is particularly striking.
Unfortunately, the lines are grouped together towards the capital, the transverse links are rather limited and the network is not very interconnected. There is no fast train, the trains rarely exceed the 90 km / h In tip.
By bus
- Dublin Bus : Dublin is fairly well supplied with regard to the bus system. There is no overall network map, but electronic displays at each station show destinations and wait times. Note, however, that the buses only accept coins (no tickets ...) and do not give change, you must go to the agency with the receipt in order to be reimbursed the difference. It is surprising at first!
A network of tram lines (LUAS ...) and suburban trains (DART ...) complete the local transport system but transport tickets are not always interoperable between them.
- Bus Éireann (regional and national buses): It is the easiest and cheapest if you do not have a car at your disposal.
A good plan if you are staying for at least a week is to buy a pass, for example, from the Irish national bus company: Bus Éireann. The cheapest passes allow you to travel 3 days a week. A good way to combine the bus, the bike, the walking and to remain free of your movements without breaking the bank.
On national routes, be careful to choose your line: some, to be profitable, are obliged to serve all the small intermediate towns. For the same destination, you can therefore just as easily spend an hour on the motorway in a silent and air-conditioned bus as three hours on winding country roads in a bus with tired suspensions and no toilets. It's a good way to experience the backcountry, but the experience can be overwhelming.
By car
General
It is of course possible to import your own vehicle without special conditions, provided you have the required documents such as the registration certificate and the green insurance card. Provide at least one accident report form. All driving licenses issued by other European states are recognized in Ireland. For drivers from other countries of the world, it is recommended to obtain the international driving license.
In Ireland, we drive on the left side of the road and some signs set up especially at the exit of ports remind us of this. Bilingualism is the order of the day throughout the republic with, however, a stronger choice for Gaelic in the western part, which can sometimes pose problems of comprehension for neophytes. Therefore, provide a good road map (Michelin or Ordnance Survey Ireland editions ...) which includes the names of the towns in the two languages spoken, be careful of the sometimes variable spelling between the signs and the cartography. The various indication panels are generally square (coated ...) yellow in color with black characters, but those of other categories meet international standards.
Almost all distances are expressed in kilometers and speeds in km / h but a few rare indications in miles still exist here and there (old road signs neglected by the equipment departments). Ireland switched to the metric system in March 2005.
Speed limits in force in Ireland:
- City : 50 km / h
- Secondary route : 80 km / h (indicated by white panels ...)
- Main road : 100 km / h (indicated by green signs ...)
- Highway: 120 km / h (indicated by blue signs ...)
On the road and on the motorway, the speed limit is systematically reduced to 80 km / h if you are towing a trailer or a caravan.
Take care to remember these general limitations because no sign reminds them when arriving on the territory... only the change of unit of measurement is reported when crossing the border between the two Ireland.
One watchword when driving in Ireland: quiet ... so cool! The Irish are generally courteous behind the wheel and it is frowned upon to honk the horn to express your discontent. However, it must be recognized that attitudes have changed a lot near major cities. Economic boom obliges! Motorists in nice cars and new drivers of all stripes tend to adopt the most devastating behavior because they are visibly in a hurry to get to your destination: inappropriate overtaking and speeding are now on the menu, so stay attentive around you if you are brought to circulate on this kind of sector. Also note that the speed controls have been tightened and that fines are not given if you get caught in the act!
The police (named Garda in Ireland ...) often carry out speed checks, whether in an unmarked car or not. In case of violation, the fine is to be paid immediately for tourists (especially if you are in a rental car ...). Radar warnings are prohibited, whether they are stand-alone or incorporated into a navigation GPS.
Foreign cars traveling without insurance can be confiscated by the police.
The mesh of the motorway network across the countries now makes it possible to go from one end to the other in barely a couple of hours from the capital. On the other hand, almost a whole day may still be necessary to connect Cork at Donegal despite the creation of a transverse motorway between Limerick and Galway. It is not uncommon to endure a half-hour traffic jam simply because an Irishman stops to chat or to let a herd of animals go for a walk (well rather in the countryside). Also watch out for the unexpected presence of agricultural tractors and children playing on the road. The presence of embankments at the edge of the roads sometimes makes it necessary to move off the axis of the road due to lack of visibility. Be careful that a "surprised" motorist does not have the same idea as you when approaching such a bend, otherwise a collision becomes inevitable. We quickly understand why the speed limits of ordinary roads are often impossible to reach ...
The use of the seat belt is obligatory in the front as in the back, the children of less than 12 years must be seated in the back and take place on an adapted booster. The maximum tolerated blood alcohol level is 0.8 g / l. Unfortunately and despite a lot of publicity, the death toll in road accidents in Ireland remains quite high due in large part to "pub" parties. This explains the severity of the penalties for motorists driving while intoxicated.
You can also hitchhike because the distances are short, it is not very risky (not more than in France), and people take it quite easily (on the main roads obviously because on the small roads it can become annoying. 'wait...). If you are walking along the carriageway, walk on the right-hand side so that you are in front of traffic. When a vehicle arrives in front, stop and you will always be entitled to a smile or a wave of the hand.
Car rental
Vehicle rental is generally possible from the age of 21 but many agencies like to overcharge drivers under 23, a ceiling also exists with some rental companies with an age limit set at 70 years. It is frequently required to hold a driving license for at least 2 years. If you plan to take turns driving the same vehicle, always remember to include on the contract the name of all those (and those ...) wishing to get behind the wheel. In addition, do not be overwhelmed by the insistent proposals for additional insurance which prove to be expensive but rarely justified. To the basic insurance, however, it may be interesting to add a "deductible buy-back" insurance, otherwise, in the event of an accident, the deductible, which can be very high (€ 1,000 or more), will be charged to you. If you have a bank card, check with your bank, some cards include insurance which, when you pay with this means of payment, covers this excess waiver.
All categories of vehicles are obviously offered. It should nevertheless be borne in mind that the road network still comprises to this day, an immense mileage of narrow roads despite work to bring them up to standard. Thus, we spend more time slowing down and / or braking than maintaining an average speed as we would on our old continent.
Vehicle tachometers have been graduated in kilometers since 2005 (be careful if going to Northern Ireland where speed limits are reported only in miles per hour). It is possible on express request and sufficiently in advance (for a financial supplement ...) to rent a vehicle equipped with an automatic gearbox. For young children, booster seats are available, but it is also necessary to make a prior request and provide a small additional cost.
If you want to go to North Ireland with a rental car, remember to let the rental company know your intentions because some contracts prohibit (by default ...) the use of vehicles destined for this territory. This applies purely for insurance matters.
The major rental brands are located in urban centers but also at certain main airports. It is generally possible to return the vehicle to a different agency from where it was collected, making sure you inquire about the conditions as well as any costs.
Remember to return the vehicle with a full tank of fuel if you don't want to be overcharged.
Roads and highways
The roads are of fairly variable quality. However, major improvement work on major axes has been underway for several years, work financed by the European Union in general. Portions of expressways are emerging, in particular between Dublin and the West of the country, as well as bypass roads worthy of the name near important towns.
The motorway network is now well developed across the country but radiates mainly from the capital, rapid transverse links between other cities are still emerging. Highway signs are blue and the numbering prefix is the letter "M" for "motorway".
There is only one motorway ring road in Ireland: the M50 which serves the entire west of the agglomeration of Dublin. This route is often congested near the access ramps leading to national roads and shopping centers, but it has the great advantage of facilitating traffic to the port of "ferries" at Dun Laoghaire to join the UK.
The toll is now appearing on the bypass Dublin as well as on the N8 Between Fermoy and Cork. Find out more on the pages of these cities for prices and payment terms. Be careful if you are driving a continental driving vehicle (yes ... on the left) and without a co-driver !!!
The national roads are in fair to poor condition depending on the axes you take. It is easy to be surprised by the pitfalls for a tourist: passage from a wide to narrow lane suddenly and without warning and the presence of potholes impossible to distinguish from a distance.
Ordinary roads are numbered with the letter prefix "NOT", those of less importance are prefixed by the letter"R".
Motorway service areas and refueling points on ordinary roads are quite widespread across the country, a little less in remote areas where it is possible to travel dozens of kilometers without encountering any pump. Big brands like Shell and Esso are ubiquitous. All services besides the distribution of fuel and ingredients are offered there, even cold extra food and various essentials, even souvenirs and various gadgets. Payment cards are always accepted. The stations only offer two types of fuel called Diesel and Unleaded (unleaded 95).
In the city
Traffic is constantly increasing, causing many traffic jams during office hours as well as clashes between vehicles here and there. Parking is also becoming more and more problematic given the congestion in addition to being rarely free. The cities concerned are all the more those of Dublin, Cork and Galway.
Regarding parking regulations, be aware that free-riding or parking without knowing can be extremely expensive, especially in large cities: high fines and vehicle immobilized by a shoe called "clamp" in English (or even towed to the pound ...). Underground car parks can become problematic for cars with the steering wheel on the left: in addition to having to leave your seat to take the ticket and / or pay, the automatic barrier goes down very quickly, which means being quick and effective at that time. Scratch cards to be placed behind the windshield are on sale in tourist offices and mini markets in particular in order to be able to park in certain areas: it is in fact necessary to scratch (or perforate ...) the chosen time section corresponding to arrival time as on a conventional parking disc.
A double yellow line means that parking is strictly prohibited while a single line allows it under certain conditions (in certain time slots for example ...).
By bike
This magnificent island crosses sublime landscapes that bicycle lovers will be able to admire thanks to its thousands of kilometers of roads. Crossing a nature still intact today, the different routes will take you to the depths of this countryside made up of a large number of small villages as picturesque each other. However, be careful: some overcrowded roads in summer are therefore dangerous for fans of cycling!
Also watch out for the often strong wind, thus hindering progress even for the best cyclists.