Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
been prey to pickpockets, purse-snatchers, car thieves, and
drug traffickers. Dublin's busiest thoroughfares by day have
been the scene of brutal, mindless beatings at night. Travelers
should take normal precautions to protect their belongings
from theft and themselves from harm. Be alert and aware of
your surroundings, and do not wander in lonely areas alone at
night. And take special care if you'll be out in Dublin when
the pubs and nightclubs close for the night. Ask at your hotel
about which areas are safe and which are not, and when. Take
a taxi back to your hotel if you're out after midnight.
Taxes
As in many European countries, sales tax is called VAT
(value-added tax) and is often already included in the price
quoted to you or shown on price tags. In the Republic, VAT
rates vary—for hotels, restaurants, and car rentals, it is 13.5%;
for souvenirs and gifts, it is 21%. For full details on VAT
refunds for purchases, see “VAT Refunds” in chapter 6.
Telephone
In the Republic, the telephone system is known as
Eircom. Phone numbers in Ireland are currently in flux, as dig-
its are added to accommodate expanded service. Every effort
has been made to ensure that the numbers and information
in this guide are accurate at the time of writing. If you have
difficulty reaching a party, the Irish toll-free number for direc-
tory assistance is
&
11811.
From the United States, the (toll)
number to call is
&
00353-91-770220.
Local calls
from a phone booth require a Callcard, a prepaid
computerized card that you insert into the phone instead of
coins. They can be purchased in a range of denominations at
phone company offices, post offices, and many retail outlets
(such as newsstands). There's a local and international phone
center at the General Post Office on O'Connell Street.
Overseas calls
from Ireland can be quite costly, whether you
use a Callcard or your own calling card. If you think you will
want to call home regularly while in Dublin, you may want
to open an account with
Vartec Telecom Ireland
in Ireland
&
1800/300067;
www.vartec.ie). Its rates represent a consider-
able savings, not only from Ireland to the United States but vice
versa (handy for planning your trip as well as keeping in touch
afterward).
International WORLDLINK
(
&
800/864-8000
in the
U.S. or 1800/551514 in Ireland) offers an array of additional
services for overseas travelers—such as toll-free voice-mail
boxes, fax mail, and news services—which can be crucial for
