MONEY
Currency
1 euro = 100 cents. Currency abbreviation: €, EUR (ISO code). There are banknotes in the values 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, coins in the nominal amounts 1 and 2 euros, as well as 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.
Credit cards
MasterCard, American Express and Visa are accepted across Ireland. In the case of other credit cards, the issuer should be asked before the trip whether they can be used as a means of payment. Further details from the issuer of the credit card concerned.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
With an ec / Maestro card and pin number, cash in the local currency can be withdrawn from ATMs. In many European countries it is also possible to pay in shops with the ec / Maestro card.
Cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted throughout Europe and worldwide. Further information from banks and credit institutes. The same applies to the German Sparcard, the successor to the postal savings book as a means of procuring currency in other European countries. Cash can be withdrawn from European ATMs with the plus logo using a Sparcard and PIN number.
Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
Bank opening times
Mon, Tue, Wed and Fri 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thurs 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Some banks are also open on Saturday mornings. The opening times may vary depending on the size and location of the bank.
Foreign exchange regulations
There are no restrictions for travelers on the import or export of local currency, unlimited import and export of foreign currencies. There is also no obligation to declare. The origin and destination of large amounts should, however, be verifiable.
LANGUAGE
Overview
In Ireland, a country located in Europe according to elaineqho, the official languages are English and Irish (Gaelic), which belongs to the Gaelic branch of the Celtic languages. Although Irish is the first official language, it is only spoken by a minority (3% of the population) (mainly in the West).
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Suit and tie or costume. Irish business people are friendly and accommodating, and it’s quite informal. Appointments are usually made. Allow enough time for business to be carried out. The first week of May, the main holiday season in summer (July – August) and the time between Christmas and New Year are not suitable for business visits.
Dublin
Business meetings are easy to arrange, but closing deals is more difficult. Allow plenty of time to close the deal, as private chatting is believed to be important in building trust. Because of the very heavy rush hour, early morning business meeting breakfasts are becoming increasingly popular. Meetings are also held at noon; Often one also meets after work in a pub or bar (from around 5.30 p.m.) for a few glasses of beer and / or for dinner (around 8.00 p.m.).
In the business world, people are informal, use first names, and although suits are worn, jackets can be removed. It is particularly important that visitors treat their Irish hosts as modern Europeans. The Dubliners are quick-witted and have a pleasant demeanor, both of which are mostly evident in the world of work. Discussions about the political situation in Ireland should be avoided.
Opening hours
Business hours: Mon-Fri 9 am-5pm / 6pm.
Economy
German-Irish Chamber of Industry and Commerce
46 Fitzwilliam Square, IE-Dublin 2
Tel: (01) 676 29 34.
Internet: www.german-irish.ie
Enterprise Ireland
Rolandstrasse 44, D-40476 Düsseldorf
Tel: (0211) 47 05 90.
Internet: www.enterprise-ireland.com
Branch offices in Berlin and Munich.
Enterprise Ireland
Rotenturmstrasse 16-18 / 2, A-1010 Vienna
Tel: (01) 512 96 85 30.
Internet: www.enterprise-ireland.com
Also responsible for Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.
Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (Irish Association of Chambers of Commerce)
17 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 IE
Tel: (01) 661 28 88th
Internet: www.chambers.ie
Business contacts
German-Irish Chamber of Industry and Commerce
46 Fitzwilliam Square, IE-Dublin 2
Tel: (01) 676 29 34.
Internet: www.german-irish.ie
Enterprise Ireland
Rolandstrasse 44, D-40476 Düsseldorf
Tel: (0211) 47 05 90.
Internet: www.enterprise-ireland.com
Branch offices in Berlin and Munich.
Enterprise Ireland
Rotenturmstrasse 16-18 / 2, A-1010 Vienna
Tel: (01) 512 96 85 30.
Internet: www.enterprise-ireland.com
Also responsible for Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.
Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (Irish Association of Chambers of Commerce)
17 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 IE
Tel: (01) 661 28 88th
Internet: www.chambers.ie
COMMUNICATION
Phone
The country code is 00353. There are public telephones that can be used with calling cards or coins. Public phone calling cards and prepaid cards are available across the country. Public telephones are available in the cities in bars, hostels and Internet cafés, among other places.
Cellphone
GSM 900/1800. Mobile phone companies include Vodafone (Internet: www.vodafone.ie), 3 Three (Internet: www.three.ie/) and Meteor (Internet: www.meteor.ie). Cell phones can be rented on site. Roaming contracts exist with mobile phone companies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
International roaming can be used within the EU at the Euro tariff. Customers of all European mobile network operators automatically make all calls in and from other EU countries at the Euro rate. However, the Euro tariff does not apply to other mobile communications services such as SMS, MMS and data transmission.
At SIM Local (Internet: www.simlocal.com/), for example, you can buy Irish SIM cards loaded with credit, which you can put in your own mobile phone and use at the local rate.
Internet
The main provider is eir (Internet: www.eir.ie). Libraries offer public Internet access. Internet cafes can be found in all major cities. Mobile surfing on the Internet is made possible, among other things, by Goodspeed Wi-Fi hotspots (Internet: goodspeed.io/de/index.html).
Post Office
Post office opening times: Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2.15 p.m.-5.30 p.m. The main post office is on O’Connell Street, Dublin. It is also open on Sundays and public holidays.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
