Ireland's Golden Trekker Pass is good for free train travel in 2010 within the Republic of Ireland for those 66 and over. Each pass is good for 4 days of travel. If you are traveling for longer you must get additional passes. The number of passes issued per person for the year is 3. That will give a total of 12 free days of train travel per individual traveler.
How to Get Your Pass: Call 1-800-SHAMROCK (7426-7625) at least 48 hours before arrival in Ireland.
Provide the Following Info:
First & last name
Passport number or national ID card number
Date of birth
Start date of pass
Country of residence
Email and/or mailing address
Start of first train journey
The confirmation will be sent to you before arrival in Ireland. To get your pass present the confirmation at any Irish Rail ticket office along with passport or national ID.
The M50 toll road that rings around Dublin now has barrier-free tolls. That means you will no longer stop at a toll booth to pay. Traffic will move freely but all car tags will be photographed and you must pay the toll by 8 pm of the day after you use the road. If you do not pay you will face penalties. If payment is not made by 8 pm of the next day a €3 administrative fine is imposed. There is a fine of €40 if not paid within two weeks. After 56 days and additional fine of €100 is added. After that legal proceedings start.
The section of the M50 that is tolled is between Junction 6 (Blanchardstown exit to N3) and Junction 7 Lucan exit to N4. The toll for cars is €3.
How Tourists Should Pay:
Phone 1-890-501-050 to pay with a credit or debit card. Online with a credit or debit card at Eflow. Pay with cash or debit and credit card at 2,000 Payzone outlets at newsagents, service stations, etc. There are kiosks at Dublin Airport where the toll can be paid. Extra time will be needed when departing if you need to pay a toll.
Note: You will need your vehicle registration number to pay. Save your receipts
To lessen traffic and emissions Ecocabs is offering free rides every day from 10 am - 7 pm with their fleet of covered passenger tricycles. Drivers are paid by company sponsorship so it really is free! ecocabs.ie
Ireland to USA
Customs & Immigration
Pre-clearance
Most passengers traveling from Shannon Airport to the United States will now clear customs, immigration and agricultural inspections in Ireland. This will allow flights to land at smaller US airports that don't have those facilities. Dublin Airport will follow suit in November 2010. Aer Lingus is currently excluded from the plan.
Irish Times Now Free
to Read Online
Keep up to date with news in Ireland. The Irish Timeshas changed from a subscription service to being free online.
Passports: Apply Early!
Your passport should be valid for six months past your departure date. Apply early to avoid problems.
Road signs in certain Irish speaking areas of Ireland called the Gaeltacht are being changed over from bilingual English and Irish to Irish only. These areas are mainly in the west of Ireland and include the Dingle peninsula. Over two thousand villages and towns will be affected.
Official maps of Ireland must now change to reflect the new law. Tourism Ireland will be offering a map for tourists with the names of towns and counties in both English and Irish. However, it is not yet available. Instead get Michele's up to date book: CLICK HERE
Those Over 75 Can Now Rent Cars in Ireland
A man in his 70s has won a settlement against Irish Car Rentals in Ireland. Previously those 70 to 75 had to pay a large surcharge per day to rent a car. However, Irish Car Rentals has abolished the surcharge. They have rescinded their ban on drivers over 75.
Older drivers may have to fill out a Driver Safety Assessment Form. Terms of the rentals can be found here.
New Mizen Bridge
Work starts in September 2009 on a new land bridge joining Cloghane Island and the Mizen lighthouse to the mainland. The €2 million project should be completed by summer 2010 and will replace the old arched bridge.
Claiming to be the most south-westerly point in Ireland, Mizen Head Signal Station Visitor Center hosts about 60,000 visitors a year.
Smoking is banned in all enclosed public spaces including pubs, restaurants, public transportation, etc. Smoking is only allowed outside. Some pubs and other establishments have set up covered areas for doing so. Those who sit inside by open doors or windows may get some second-hand smoke blowing back in at them.
Lodgings in Ireland can choose to have some smoking bedrooms. However, more and more B&Bs, guesthouses and hotels are going totally no-smoking. Dining rooms, pubs and other areas of hotels and lodgings are smoke-free.
Ireland Goes Metric
In 2005 Ireland's speed limit signs changed over to metric. Distance signs reflect the changes, although you can find some of the old mile markers way out in the countryside and on very rural roads. Once Ireland completes the changes, the UK will be the only country in the EU with road signs that are not metric. For more info: www.gometric.ie
Children in Pubs
Officially children under 18 are not allowed in pubs after 10pm from May-Sept & after 9pm in the winter. Those 18 or over should bring a photo ID or passport in order to be served drinks. The drinking age in Ireland is 18. Those wondering about bringing children to music pubs should know that each pub sets their own rules. Well-behaved children eating a meal with their parents may be overlooked at official children's closing time.
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Listen to Irish Radio Live!
Click on radio to listen to broadcasts direct from Ireland's national radio RTE. Listen to Michele's favorite show Ceili House. A computer media player is necessary to access the sound. If it does not work the first time try again. The Internet is not perfect yet!
Midwest Irish Radio
Click to listen to broadcasts direct from Ireland. Midwest Irish Radio is one of the best.
