Fahrenheit and Celsius Conversion
Note that calls beginning with 1800 are free throughout Ireland, but 1850 calls cost the same as local calls.
In the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland: Tel. 999
In the Republic of Ireland: 42 Elgin Road, Dublin, Mon-Tue and Thu-Fri 8:30-11:30, closed Wed and Sat-Sun, tel. 01/668-7122 or 01/668-8777, http://dublin.usembassy.gov
In Northern Ireland: Danesfort House, 223 Stranmillis Road, Belfast, Mon-Fri 8:30-17:00, closed Sat-Sun, tel. 028/9038-6100, after-hours emergency mobile 075-4550-7738, http://belfast.usconsulate.gov
In the Republic of Ireland: 7 Wilton Terrace, Dublin, Mon-Fri 9:00-13:00 & 14:00-16:30, consular and passport services open Mon-Fri 9:00-12:00, closed Sat-Sun, tel. 01/234-4000, www.canada.ie
In Northern Ireland: 9 Cromac Avenue, Belfast, tel. 028/9127-2060. This office does not offer passport services; instead contact the Canadian High Commission in London (www.unitedkingdom.gc.ca).
Operator Assistance: Tel. 10 for Ireland, tel. 114 to call outside Ireland
Directory Assistance Within Ireland: Tel. 11811
International Info: Tel. 11818
Operator Assistance: Tel. 100 for Britain, tel. 155 to call outside Britain
Directory Assistance Within Britain: Tel. 192 (20p from phone booth, otherwise £1.50)
International Info: Tel. 153 (20p from phone booth, otherwise £1.50)
This list includes selected festivals in major cities, plus national holidays observed throughout Ireland in 2015. Many sights and banks close down on national holidays—keep this in mind when planning your itinerary. Before planning a trip around a festival, verify its dates by checking the festival’s website or TI site (www.ireland.com).
| Jan 1 | New Year’s Day (banks closed) |
| Jan 28-Feb 1 | Temple Bar Trad, Dublin (Irish music and culture festival, http://templebartrad.com) |
| March 14-17 | St. Patrick’s Day celebration throughout Ireland (parades, drunkenness, 4-day festival in Dublin, www.stpatricksday.ie) |
| April 3 | Good Friday (banks closed) |
| April 5-6 | Easter Sunday and Monday |
| Late April | International Pan Celtic Festival (festival in Derry in 2015) |
| May 4 | Labor Day; Early May Bank Holiday, Ireland and UK (banks closed) |
| June 1 | Spring Bank Holiday, UK (banks closed); also June Holiday, Ireland (banks closed) |
| June 16 | Bloomsday, Dublin (James Joyce festival, www.jamesjoyce.ie) |
| Late June | Patrún Festival, Kilronan (currach boat races) |
| June 23 | St. John’s Eve Bonfire Night (Kilronan) |
| July 12 | Battle of the Boyne anniversary, Northern Ireland (Protestant marches, protests) |
| Mid- to late July | Galway Arts Festival |
| Late July-early Aug | Galway Races (horse races, www.galwayraces.com) |
| Aug 3 | August Bank Holiday, Ireland (banks closed) |
| Early Aug | Dingle Races (horse races, www.dingleraces.ie) |
| Early-Mid-Aug | Dingle Regatta (boat races) |
| Early-Mid-Aug | Puck Fair, Killorglin, Kerry (“Ireland’s Oldest Fair” and drink-fest, www.puckfair.ie) |
| Early-Mid-Aug | Féile an Phobail, West Belfast (Irish cultural festival, www.feilebelfast.com) |
| Aug 15 | Kenmare Fair (www.kenmare.com) |
| Aug 31 | Late Summer Bank Holiday, UK only (banks closed) |
| Late Aug | Rose of Tralee International Festival (http://roseoftralee.ie) |
| Late Aug-Early Sept | Blessing of the Boats, Dingle (maritime festival) |
| MId-Sept | Galway Races (www.galwayraces.com) |
| Late Sept | Galway Oyster Festival (4 days, www.galwayoysterfest.com) |
| Oct 26 | October Bank Holiday, Ireland (banks closed) |
| Late Oct | Galway Races (www.galwayraces.com) |
| Late Oct-Early Nov | Belfast Festival at Queen’s (www.belfastfestival.com) |
| Dec 25 | Christmas holiday, Ireland and UK |
| Dec 26 | St. Stephen’s Day, Ireland (religious festival); Boxing Day, UK |
| Dec 31 | New Year’s Eve |
• In Europe, dates appear as day/month/year, so Christmas 2015 is 25/12/15.
• What Americans call the second floor of a building is the first floor in Europe.
• On escalators and moving sidewalks, Europeans keep the left “lane” open for passing. Keep to the right.
Both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland use the metric system for everything but driving measurements. Weight and volume are typically calculated in metric: A kilogram is 2.2 pounds, and a liter is about a quart. The weight of a person is measured by “stone” (one stone equals 14 pounds). Temperatures are generally given in both Celsius and Fahrenheit.
On the road, the Republic of Ireland is still converting from miles to kilometers, and you’ll likely see signs in both (especially in rural destinations). Northern Ireland uses miles and posts speed limits in miles per hour.
| 1 foot = 0.3 meter | 1 square yard = 0.8 square meter |
| 1 yard = 0.9 meter | 1 square mile = 2.6 square kilometers |
| 1 mile = 1.6 kilometers | 1 ounce = 28 grams |
| 1 centimeter = 0.4 inch | 1 quart = 0.95 liter |
| 1 meter = 39.4 inches | 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds |
| 1 kilometer = 0.62 mile | 32°F = 0°C |
When shopping for clothing, use these US-to-Ireland comparisons as general guidelines (but note that no conversion is perfect).
• Women’s dresses and blouses: Add 4
(US women’s size 10 = Ireland size 14)
• Men’s suits and jackets: US and Ireland use the same sizing
• Men’s shirts: US and Ireland use the same sizing
• Women’s shoes: Subtract 2½ (US size 8 = Ireland size 5½)
• Men’s shoes: Subtract about ½ (US size 9 = Ireland size 8½)
First line, average daily high; second line, average daily low; third line, average days without rain. For more detailed weather statistics for destinations in this book (as well as the rest of the world), check www.wunderground.com.
Ireland uses both Celsius and Fahrenheit to take its temperature. For a rough conversion from Celsius to Fahrenheit, double the number and add 30. For weather, remember that 28°C is 82°F—perfect. For health, 37°C is just right. At a launderette, 30°C is cold, 40°C is warm (usually the default setting), 60°C is hot, and 95°C is boiling.
Whether you’re traveling for five days or five weeks, you won’t need more than this. Pack light to enjoy the sweet freedom of true mobility.
Clothing
5 shirts: long- & short-sleeve
2 pairs pants or skirt
1 pair shorts or capris
5 pairs underwear & socks
1 pair walking shoes
Sweater or fleece top
Rainproof jacket with hood
Tie or scarf
Swimsuit
Sleepwear
Money
Debit card
Credit card(s)
Hard cash ($20 bills)
Money belt or neck wallet
Documents & Travel Info
Passport
Airline reservations
Rail pass/train reservations
Car-rental voucher
Driver’s license
Student ID, hostel card, etc.
Photocopies of all the above
Hotel confirmations
Insurance details
Guidebooks & maps
Notepad & pen
Journal
Toiletries Kit
Toiletries
Medicines & vitamins
First-aid kit
Glasses/contacts/sunglasses (with prescriptions)
Earplugs
Packet of tissues (for WC)
Miscellaneous
Daypack
Sealable plastic baggies
Laundry soap
Spot remover
Clothesline
Sewing kit
Travel alarm/watch
Electronics
Smartphone or mobile phone
Camera & related gear
Tablet/ereader/media player
Laptop & flash drive
Earbuds or headphones
Chargers
Plug adapters
Optional Extras
Flipflops or slippers
Mini-umbrella or poncho
Travel hairdryer
Belt
Hat (for sun or cold)
Picnic supplies
Water bottle
Fold-up tote bag
Small flashlight
Small binoculars
Insect repellent
Small towel or washcloth
Inflatable pillow
Some duct tape (for repairs)
Tiny lock
Address list (to mail postcards)
Postcards/photos from home
Extra passport photos
Good book
