Medical and Travel Insurance
All students should obtain medical insurance in their own country before departure and students are also recommended to take out travel insurance in case of accident or loss of baggage. Students travelling from EU countries should bring the Social Security Form E1 11 with them. This only entitles students to free emergency hospital care and attendance at certain doctors. Please note that this will not cover elective procedures or dental visits. We can also organise medical insurance for non-EU students.

Personal Insurance
Students are not insured by the school, or by the family, against accidents, illness, theft or loss of personal effects, and the school accepts no responsibility in the event of such occurrences. Personal insurance cover is therefore recommended.

Climate
Ireland has a variable but temperate climate and weather extremes are rare. Students should come prepared for all types of weather during their stay in Ireland. Students should always carry some rain gear or warm clothes with them.
For information on Irish weather today and a forecast for the week see link below
http://www.met.ie/

Mobile Phones
Mobile telephones can be brought into Ireland. Customers with subscriptions to GSM services, providing they have a roaming agreement with the Irish network operator(s) may use their subscription. Pay-as-you-go mobile phones or sim cards can also be purchased in the Arrival Hall in Dublin Airport.
For information on the major mobile phone operators in Ireland, please see links below
http://www.vodafone.ie/
http://web.o2.ie/
http://www.meteor.ie/

Banks
Banks are open Monday to Friday from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. In major cities they stay open all day, however, it is important to note that in small towns and more rural areas banks close for lunch from 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. Banks in Dublin stay open until 5.00 p.m. on Thursdays. Automatic Teller machines in Ireland accept 'Plus' and 'Cirrus' symbols. Visitors are advised to change their bank notes at banks and Bureau de Change to get the best exchange rate.

For information on the major bank operators in Ireland, please see links below
http://www.bankofireland.ie/
http://www.aib.ie/
http://www.permanenttsb.ie/

Opening a bank in Ireland – procedures for non-nationals
In order to open a bank account, the student must have a PPS number* (with the official statement showing the number), their passport and evidence of address in Ireland

To apply for a PPS number, the following documentation must be provided by all students:

1. Current Valid Passport or National ID Card
2. Evidence of either birth/work/unemployment/residency/tax liability/education in their own native country **
3. Evidence of address in Ireland (letter provided by the Student Welfare officer in the Emerald Cultural Institute)

* Personal Public Service Number (a PPS Number is also necessary to have if the student wishes to work in Ireland)

For an up-to-date exchange rate please see the currency converter on the link below
http://www.oanda.com/converter/classic?user=shortlandShopping

The opening hours of most shops in Ireland are 9.00 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. or 6.00 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Some of the smaller towns have late shopping (8.00 p.m. or 9.00 p.m.) on Thursdays and/ or Fridays, as do most shopping centres. In Dublin supermarkets and some shops are now open on Sunday from 12.00 to 6.00 p.m.

Telephone
Dialling within Ireland:
When making a call within Ireland, if the number you are dialling is within the same call area as you are in, there is no need to add the area code of that area.

Example:
If you're in the "01" area of Dublin, and are dialling Emerald Cultural Institute (01-497 3361), then you would dial just 497 3361.
If you're outside the "01" area and are dialling Emerald Cultural Institute, then you would include the area code and dial 01-497 3361.

Dialling into Ireland:
When making a call into Ireland from another country, the lead zero of the area code is dropped and the country code for Ireland (353) is added. For example, from Italy, to reach Emerald Cultural Institute, and similar numbers, you will dial the number as, 00-353-1-497 3361. Other countries will add their long distance code in place of the "00".

Dialling out of Ireland:
When making a call out of Ireland to another country, the international access code is "00" followed by the country code for the country you are calling, followed by the area code then phone number.

To access a list of International Area Phone Codes see link below
http://www.countrycallingcodes.com/

To access a company or persons phone number within Ireland please see links below
www.11850.ie
www.goldenpages.ie

For information on the Irish Postal Service see link below
http://www.anpost.ie/

For information on Popular Irish Radio Stations see links below
http://www.rte.ie/radio1/
http://www.newstalk106.ie/
http://www.todayfm.com/

Travel to Ireland
Ireland is on the major network of international airlines, with direct flights, both scheduled and chartered, from all major European cities to several locations in Ireland. Connections are frequent and regular to all parts of the world. Dublin is less than an hour from London by plane. Direct roll-on/roll-off sea ferries operate from France to Ireland and from several ports in Britain. The shortest sea journey from Britain takes under three hours. Your tour operator or travel agent will be able to advise you on the most convenient route.

For further information on major Irish Airlines see links below
http://www.dublin-airport.com
http://www.aerarann.ie/
http://www.aerlingus.com
http://www.ryanair.com/

To access Ireland by ferry see major ferry operator sites below
http://www.irishferries.com/
http://www.poirishsea.com/
http://www.stenaline.co.uk/

Travel within Dublin

Student travel card
Students studying for two months or more can avail of a Student Travel Card. A Student Travel Card is an Identity Card which entitles the holder to purchase a Student Ticket. Students without the Student Travel Card must purchase an Adult Ticket. Applications for the Student Travel Card can be obtained from the Student Welfare Officer.

Bus
When travelling on Dublin bus you must have the exact fare or a prepaid ticket.

If you do not have the exact fare (for example, you give €2 for a €1.60 ticket) the bus driver will give you a receipt for the remainder (.40c), which you can claim in the Dublin bus office on O’Connell St in the city centre.

Bus tickets
can be bought at most news agents.

adult
5 day - €20
30 day - €100

student* (over 16 but studying)
5 day - €15
30 day - €75
child** (under 16)
5 day - €7

Luas (tram)
The Luas is a light rail transport system that has been operating in Dublin since June 2004. Our year round centre in Palmerston Park, and our summer centres are all situated on the Green Luas Line.

Luas tickets can be bought at machines at Luas stations or at news agents near Luas stops.

adult
7 day - €19.10
30 day - €76

student* (over 16 but studying)
7 day - €15.40
30 day - €54

child (under 16)
7 day- €7.50
30 day - €30

Bus and Luas Combination tickets can be bought at machines at Luas stations or at most news agents.

adult
7 day - €29
30 day - €113

student* (over 16 but studying)
7 day - €24
30 day - €82

child**(under 16)
7 day - €8

* requires Student Travel Card (€15 per year).
Get application form from Student Welfare Officer in Emerald
** requires schoolchild id (free from Dublin Bus Office in city centre)

For exact fares and further information on the LUAS timetable and routes see link below
http://www.luas.ie

To view detailed street maps of Dublin please see the link below
http://www.softguides.com/dublin/maps/index.html

Travel within Dublin and Ireland

Rail
The two main rail stations in Dublin are Heuston Station and Connolly Station. From these stations you can get a train to many popular destinations in Ireland including Galway, Cork and Belfast.

For further details and train timetables go to:
http://www.cie.ie/home/
http://www.irishrail.ie/home/

Bus
Bus Éireann is the main bus service in Ireland. It offers expressway coach services linking cities and towns in Ireland. Bus Éireann/Eurolines also offers coach services to Britain and Europe.

For further information see:
http://www.buseireann.ie/site/home/

Car Hire in Ireland
Students can easily arrange to have a hired car waiting for them when they arrive. The simplest and most economical way is to book a fly- drive inclusive package through a travel agent. Alternatively we can help students arrange their car hire after their arrival in the school. During the peak months of July and August early booking is advisable.
From 20th January 2005, the measurement of speed limits on Irish roads changed from miles per hour (mph) to kilometres per hour (km/h). Please take note of new speed limits when driving on Irish roads.

See:
http://www.gometric.ie/

For further information on Car Rental Companies in Ireland please see links below
http://www.europcar.ie/
http://www.irishcarrentals.com/g/index.html
http://www.argus-rentacar.com/index.asp

To plan your journey time, distance and road route when travelling in Ireland please click on the link below:
http://www.aaireland.ie/routes/

Entertainment
There is something going on in Dublin every night of the week, from Traditional Irish Folk Groups to U2 concerts, from Classic John B. Keane Plays to Tschaikovsky at the National Concert Hall. Dublin truly is a diverse city with something for everyone.

For up to the minute information on what is happening in Dublin see the following sites:
http://www.entertainment.ie/
http://www.indublin.ie
http://www.dublinks.com

For further useful information about Dublin and Ireland please visit the following websites:
http://www.visitdublin.com
http://www.tourismireland.com
http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/
http://www.ireland.com/
http://www.irlgov.ie/