PRACTICAL INFORMATION WHEN VISITING LIMERICK

Venue

Information Literacy Satellite Meeting in conjunction with IFLA World Library and Information Congress 2014 will be hosted by Limerick Institute of Technology, Limerick, Republic of Ireland on August 14-15th 2014 and will take place at the Absolute Hotel Limerick City http://www.absolutehotel.com/

Dates: 14^th & 15^th August 2014

Accommodation: €84.00 Bed & Breakfast - single occupancy

€91.00 Bed & Breakfast - double/twin occupancy

Promo code= ifla (all lowercase)

Getting to Limerick

By Plane

Shannon Airport is about a 20- or 30-minute drive away (24km). Shannon is Ireland's second busiest airport and serves the UK, Europe and the US. Phone: +353 (0)61 712000 www.shannonairport.com

There are frequent buses connecting Limerick City with Shannon.
Download Bus Eireann - Bus timetable for Limerick to Shannon Airport

By Train

Limerick Railway (Colbert Station) is located Parnell St.. InterCity services link a variety towns and cities in Ireland with fast, high quality rail services. For train times please call talking timetable on LoCall 1890 77 88 99.
For rail information, please call Customer Information Centre on LoCall 1850 366 222 (or +353 (0)1 8366222 from outside Rep. of Ireland)Call Centre Hours 08:30hrs - 18:00hrs Monday to Friday excluding public holidays http://www.irishrail.ie/

By Bus
The following bus companies operate bus routes to/from Limerick.

• Bus Eireann operates buses to and from Limerick City (Colbert Station, Parnell St.)Phone: +353 61 313333 www.buseireann.ie

• Dublin Coach express service makes it possible for customers to travel from Limerick (Arthurs Quay) to Dublin in just 2hrs 45mins for the low cost fare of only €10(€15 from/to the airport) Phone: +353 87 9483973 dublincoach.ie - journey planner

• JJ Kavanagh & Sons operates a service that connects Shannon Airport, Limerick (Arthurs Quay) and Dublin Airport. Phone: +353 56 8831106 or local 0818 333 222 www.jjkavanagh.ie

• From Cork Airport, Cork City and Galway
  Irish Citylink
  Irish Citylink operates 6 daily return services from Cork Airport, Cork City and Galway to Limerick. Download the Citylink bus timetable Galway - Limerick - Cork Phone: +353 91 564164
  www.citylink.ie

By Car

Limerick is located along the scenic bank of the River Shannon, the Absolute Hotel is easily accessible from all major driving routes including the N7 and N69, the new M7 Limerick to Dublin route is now complete, making Dublin just a 90 minute drive from Limerick.

Visitor Information

Information about Limerick

Limerick is a lively city bubbling with beautiful Georgian architecture, grand museums and rugby-obsessed locals. Set to music by Daniel O'Donnell in his ballad Limerick, You're a Lady, the waters of the River Shannon are the beauty that surrounds you during any outing here. But where should you go to first? Read more at Limerick city homepage and Discover Ireland (free app available)

Tourist Information

Tourist Office, Arthur's Quay, Limerick City; Tel. +353 61 317522

Time Zone

Ireland is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and, in accordance with daylight saving, clocks are put forward one hour mid-March and back one hour at the end of October. During summer it stays light until as late as 11pm but by mid-December it can be dark by 4pm.

Visas

People from certain countries need a valid Irish entry visa before arriving in the State. Visa Requirements details: www.citizensinformation.ie

Electric Current

The standard voltage in Ireland is 240 volts AC. Sockets in Ireland differ from mainland Europe and the US. A plug adaptor may be required for small appliances to work in the standard flat three-pin/round two-pin sockets here.

Weather & Climate

Not too hot and not too cold - you'll find Ireland's climate just right. In Ireland, everyone talks about the weather. Whether it's discussing the direction of the rain from a supermarket doorway, or musing that it's 24 degrees in March from a bar counter. Read more Monitor forecasts during the time immediately prior to your departure for more specific details

Emergency Numbers

Emergency Police, Fire, and Ambulance: Tel: 112 or 999
These numbers are free of charge but should only be used in cases of genuine emergency.
On answer, state which service you require, wait to be connected to that service, then clearly state the location of where the assistance is required. In the case of a vehicle breakdown contact: Automobile Association (AA) (Tel: 1800 66 77 88) RAC Motoring Service (Tel: 1800 535 005)

Tourist Victim Support

The Irish Tourist Assistance Service (ITAS) is a free nationwide service offering support and assistance to tourists who become victims of crime while visiting Ireland. Trained staff and volunteers, who speak a variety of languages, will provide assistance. ITAS acts as a base where problems facing the tourist in the aftermath of a crime can be addressed promptly, with a view to getting holiday plans back on track. Brochures are available in all tourist offices. Email: info@itas.ie. Telephone Numbers: 1890 365 700
Outside Ireland +353 (0)1 661 0562

Medical

If you are travelling to the island of Ireland from another Member State of the European Economic Area or Switzerland, you must carry a European Health Insurance Card or a provisional replacement certificate. Find out more about the European Health Insurance Card. Visitors traveling from outside the EU member states are advised to take out personal travel insurance.

Accessibility

Ireland is delighted to welcome visitors with disabilities and visitors with reduced mobility. The standard of services and amenities is improving all the time. Before arriving in Ireland it is now possible to map out your journey. The National Journey Planner system provides door-to-door information on all available travel options for journeys to, from and within the Republic of Ireland. In addition to this the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport currently hosts some general information for people with mobility difficulties.

Parking in Limerick

A disc parking system is operational in Limerick City Centre. Discs are available through appointed outlets showing a sign and cost €2 per disc. Failure to display a disc results in clamping and heavy fines.

Smoking Ban

The Republic of Ireland has introduced a blanket ban on smoking in all places of work to protect public health and reduce the incidences of smoking-related illness. Smoking is prohibited in public areas within the Republic of Ireland - this includes all bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Although hotel bedrooms may be exempt from the ban, it is applied to all other areas within hotels.

Telecommunications

Cellular Phones

Only digital phones with GSM subscriptions and a roaming agreement will work on the island of Ireland. Visitors should consult with their supplier before departure.

Pay Phones

Pre-paid phone cards are widely available both in the Republic and Northern Ireland and both are convenient and effective to use.

Telephone Codes

If calling the Republic of Ireland from abroad all telephone numbers must be prefixed with 00 353 (drop the first 0 of the local code).

Currency

The euro is the currency of the Republic of Ireland.

Credit Cards

Any credit cards that bear the Visa, MasterCard or American Express symbol will be widely accepted in Ireland. Visitors with other cards should ask in advance or check if that card is on display where they wish to use it.

Banks

Banking hours are generally 10.00am to 4.30pm Monday through Friday. Some banks are open on Saturday. ATM (cash) machines are located at most banks and accept most credit and debit cards.

Traveller's Cheques

Traveller's Cheques are no longer widely accepted currency on the island of Ireland. Exchange $100 bills in Ireland Visitors may have difficulty exchanging $100 bills in Irish banks. For more information, please see the US Embassy Website

Shopping

Monday - Saturday 9am - 6pm in most towns and cities. Thursday and Friday - late night shopping in most malls/shopping centres. Sunday - many shops are open 12pm-6pm. Duty-free shopping is available at all the international airports.

Customs

Customs operate green and red channels at most ports and airports. If you need to declare goods over the duty and tax-free allowances for non-EU visitors you must use the red channel. Pass through the green channel if you have nothing to declare. For goods obtained outside the EU The following goods may be imported by persons over the age of 17 without incurring customs duty

• 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or50 cigars or250 grammesof tobacco;
• 1l of spirits (more than 22%) or 2l of intermediate products (eg port, sherry, etc) or
• 4l of wine (of which only 60l can be sparkling)
• 16l of beer;
• 60mls of perfume or 250ml of eau de toilette;
• Other goods including gifts, souvenirs, perfume and clothing EUR 430 per adult (over 15 years old)

VAT and Tax Refunds

To be able to claim a tax refund you must be a non-EU visitor to Ireland. Look for the ‘Tax-Free Shopping' sign in the windows of participating stores. You must complete a valid tax refund document obtained from the retailer and present the tax refund document and goods to Customs on departure from the EU. A customs officer will check the goods and validate the tax refund document. You can receive your refund on the spot at some airports, otherwise you should mail the validated tax refund document back to the store and a refund will be issued. VAT is charged on almost everything, but remember that refunds only apply to goods being taken out of the country, not services. VAT and tax refunds are not available to EU visitors. Read more

Vaccines

Vaccines are neither compulsory nor necessary unless you are traveling from an infected country.