Ireland is full of eclectic cities, fishing villages, historical islands and quaint towns to visit. Probably the three best-known cities in Ireland are Dublin, Belfast and Cork. Dublin is the capital of the Republic of Ireland. It has a tumultuous history but has risen up to become an elegant, thriving metropolis on the edge of the Irish Sea. Dublin is now known for its superior dining, fascinating galleries, lush urban parks, chic boutiques and of course legendary pubs rather than the long ago Viking inhabitants that used to come to mind when people thought of Dublin. Although Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland, also has an intriguing history, it is better known now for its excellent nightlife, fantastic shopping, trendy boutique hotels and world-renowned restaurants. Cork is a relaxed city rich in cultural heritage. In fact, Cork was named the European Capital of Culture in 2005. It is still a little trendy though with its upscale bars, fashionable shops, gourmet food markets and fine dining. Put all of this together with the monuments, castles, festivals, legends and breathtaking landscapes and these are three must see cities on your vacation.

Ireland is full of cultural attractions and historical landmarks. You could spend weeks, even months trying to explore them all. The castles here are among the most popular tourist stops on any tour. Many of the castles have been turned into five star luxury accommodations. Dunluce Castle in the County Antrim is a grand one and said to be the inspiration for the castle in the ‘Chronicles of Narnia.’ Leap Castle is said to be the most haunted castle in Ireland and close by is Trim Castle in County Meath which has a violent history. Unwanted visitors to this castle were treated to boiling water, tar, arrows and rocks. Of course no trip to Ireland would be complete without kissing the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle. It is said that those who kiss the stone will be endowed with the ‘gift of the gab.’ Another interesting stop is Dublinia, an exhibition covering the formative period of Dublin's history from the arrival of the Anglo-Normans in 1170 to the closure of the monasteries in the 1540s. It includes reconstructions that bring to life the tumultuous history of medieval Dublin. If you’re looking for something more contemporary, Ireland has plenty of entertainment any day or night of the week. The pub is the cultural and social heart of life in Ireland. Enjoy a few pints of Guinness, traditional Irish folk music, a tasty meal and very interesting conversation. If you happen to be in Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day, good luck! It is a four-day event in Ireland full of costumes, parades, music and of course Guinness. Ireland is host to endless ‘craic and fleadhs,’ festivals and fairs throughout the year. If sports are your thing, gaelic football, hurling and camogie are three of the biggest in Ireland. Head over to Croke Park, home to the Gaelic Athletic Association and some of the biggest events in these sports. What ever you are looking for, the mystical isle of Ireland will welcome you with open arms. The Euro (EUR) is the official currency. Currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and some large hotels, though you will get a better exchange rate at the ATMs. Major credit cards are widely accepted, as are travellers’ cheques, particularly in major tourist destinations. British pounds (GBP) are accepted in the major cities too. Dublin International Airport (“DUB”) is located 10km north of downtown. Bus services connect the airport with all major points in the city, and taxis to downtown are approximately €20. All major airlines serve Dublin.
The country’s second major international airport is at Shannon “SNN”, 25km from Limerick and 90km from Galway City. Many Canadian flights operate to both Dublin and Shannon thus opening up direct links to the West Coast. 230v, 50Hz – with a three square pin plug. Converters are required for Canadian appliances. (Different converters are required for travel in Europe outside of the UK and Ireland). Embassy of Canada
Address: 7-8 Wilton Terrace, Dublin 2
Tel.: +353 (1) 234-4000
After hours tel.: +353 (1) 478-1476
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 00-800-2326-6831
Fax: +353 (1) 234-4001
GMT. Daylight saving time from first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October.
Other than a couple of weeks where Daylight Saving dates differ, Ireland is five hours ahead of Toronto and Montréal, seven ahead of Calgary and eight ahead of Vancouver.