INTRODUCTION - Ireland 2014 - page 31

areopenonlyonweekendsorareclosedentirelyinthewinter(Nov-Feb).Theweathercan
be cold and dreary, and nightfall draws the shades on sightseeing well before dinnertime.
While Ireland's rural charm falls with the leaves, city sightseeing is fine in the winter.
Plan for rain no matter when you go. The weather can change several times in a day,
butrarelyisitextreme.Justkeeptravelingandtakefulladvantageof“brightspells.”Bring
a jacket and dress in layers. Daily averages throughout the year range between 42°F and
70°F. Temperatures below 32°F cause headlines, and days that break 80°F—while increas-
ing in recent years—are still rare. For more information, see the climate chart in the ap-
pendix.
While sunshine may be rare, summer days are very long. Dublin is as far north as Ed-
monton, Canada, and Portrush is as far north as Ketchikan on the Alaskan panhandle. The
midsummer sun is up from 4:30 until 22:30. It's not uncommon to have a gray day, eat
dinner, and enjoy hours of sunshine afterward.
Know Before You Go
Your trip is more likely to go smoothly if you plan ahead. Check this list of things to ar-
range while you're still at home.
You need a passport —but no visa or shots—to travel in Ireland. You may be denied
entry into certain European countries if your passport is due to expire within three to
six months of your ticketed date of return. Get it renewed if you'll be cutting it close.
It can take up to six weeks to get or renew a passport (for more on passports, see
www.travel.state.gov ) . Pack a photocopy of your passport in your luggage in case the ori-
ginal is lost or stolen.
Book rooms well in advance if you'll be traveling during peak season (mid-June-Aug)
or any major holidays, such as St. Patrick's Day (see here ) .
Call your debit- and credit-card companies to let them know the countries you'll be
visiting, to ask about fees, request your PIN code (it will be mailed to you), and more. See
here for details.
Do your homework if you want to buy travel insurance. Compare the cost of the in-
surance to the likelihood of your using it and your potential loss if something goes wrong.
Also, check whether your existing insurance (health, homeowners, or renters) covers you
and your possessions overseas. For more tips, see www.ricksteves.com/insurance .
If you're planning on renting a car in Ireland, bring your driver's license. If you're
picking up a car at Dublin Airport, consider a gentler small-town start in Trim, and let
Dublin be the finale, when you're rested and ready to tackle the city.
Ifyouplantohirea local guide, reserve ahead byemail. Popularguidescangetbooked
up.