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.
  

Your passport should be valid for six months past your departure date. Apply early to avoid problems.

More info: US Passport Office

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. 

Website: http://www.mizenhead.net/ 

The Republic of Ireland became a no-smoking country on March 29, 2004.  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.

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

Copyright © 1999 - 2009 by Michele Erdvig. All Rights Reserved.