Golf Excursions to Ireland Personally Created By Golfers For Golfers
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QUESTIONS and ANSWERS for GOLF in IRELAND Do you make my flight reservations? We recommend that you make your own airline reservations. You may do so once we have confirmed the balance of the trip. What do we do since we arrive in the morning? Transatlantic flights arrive in Europe in the early morning. Hotel rooms cannot always be guaranteed to be available on arrival. Occasionally rooms will not be available till after 1 pm. Your hotel will store your baggage prior to check-in. When is the best time to go? June, July and August are probably the best months to visit Ireland as the weather is relatively warm, if not entirely dry. It is also the liveliest time of year with scores of music, dance, comedy and literary festivals and thousands of tourists. Some of the best weather in Ireland typically occurs during the Spring and early Summer (April, May and June) and again in the Fall (September & October). A visit during September or October might be a better option if you want to avoid the majority of tourists while still enjoying reasonably mild weather. Around this time, the All-Ireland Hurling and Football finals in Croke Park supplement a number of the more interesting end-of-season festivals, including the prestigious Dublin Theatre Festival. Not to be ignored are the so called, shoulder season periods, when many exceptional golf bargains are available…November and March are frequently, “good weather” months, with temperatures in the 50’s to 60’s. There will be fewer daylight hours, but the golfing values make it all very worthwhile…ask for details. Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland? From the United States and Canada a valid passport is required, no VISA is required when traveling from the United States & Canada. Can I use my US driver’s license as ID in Ireland? A valid US or Canadian driver’s license is sufficient to drive a car in Ireland, but is not a suitable form of ID. A passport is required. Language Irish (Gaelic) and English are the two official languages of Ireland. Irish is also an official language of the European Union. While it is the native language of Ireland and widely taught in schools, English is spoken by everyone. Official documents, street and road signs are bilingual. Some Irish words you are likely to encounter are Fir (gentlemen), Mná (ladies), Gardaί (police) telefón (telephone), Siopa (shop) and Oifig an Phoist (post office). Time 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. Ireland is five hours ahead of the eastern US. During summer it stays light as late as 11:00 pm but my mid-December it is dark by 4:00 pm. Clothes Come prepared for every eventuality. It’s not unusual to experience sunshine, warmth, cold and rain all in one day, at any time of year. Although it rains frequently, Dublin is one of the driest parts of Ireland with annual rainfall lower than that of many American cities. When the sun shines, the city looks splendid. When it rains, however, it’s important to have a waterproof jacket or umbrella. Golfers should bring a quality rainsuit. Although temperatures don’t often rise above 68°F/20°C, the most practical attire in summertime, if the weather is warm, is golf shirts and shorts or lightweight slacks. A light jacket or sweater is also advised as the evenings can turn cold. The Irish generally dress quite casually, so intending visitors should allow their wardrobe to be dictated solely by the vagaries of the Irish weather. Possible exceptions to the casual dress code are some Dublin pubs and clubs which may refuse entry to people wearing sneakers, denims or tee-shirts. The most exclusive restaurants may require jacket and tie. Medicines/prescriptions Bring sufficient prescription medicine for the length of your trip. As a precaution, also bring copies of your prescriptions. In an emergency, your hotel will contact a doctor for you. If you need a prescription refilled a doctor will write one for you to a “pharmacy” or a “chemist shop” as drugstores are called in Ireland. Do you recommend I purchase one of those “hard travel cases” for my clubs? Definitely not! The hard travel cases, are not only useless, but will cause you more headaches than you can imagine. They are heavy and cumbersome. Hard cases will not fit into any European car rental, baggage porters instantly vanish upon seeing them and you will find yourself alone, trying to maneuver up and down staircases and along narrow corridors with these monsters. Electricity and Voltage The standard electrical supply is 230 volts AC (50 cycles). To use small appliances, you may need a plug adaptor to fit our 3 pin flat or 2 pin round wall sockets. If required, small travel transformers and adaptors should be purchased prior to departure. Most laptops can be charged at your desired hotel. Check locally. How do I make telephone and cell phone calls? Public telephones are widely available. They are usually found on streets, in post offices and in many shops, restaurants and bars. There are three types of public telephone, the most common of which is the card phone. Cards – with 10, 20, and 50 units – can be bought in post offices and in most newsagents. Coin phones are generally restricted to the city center. Local calls cost 20¢ for three minutes, or one card phone unit, while international calls will cost in the region of 80¢ for three minutes. A limited number of credit card phones are available, generally in hotels. Calls from hotel rooms are expensive – they multiply the cost by at least three. To place a direct international call from Ireland, dial the international access code (00) plus the country code (US and Canada: 1), the area code, and the number (for example, to call the US number 212/000-0000 you’d dial 00-1-212/000-0000). Also check with your long distance carrier for a direct dial access number from Ireland. Most hotels, some shops, libraries, tourist information centers offer access to a fax for a fee. Cell phones have become “essential” to modern living with Ireland boasting one of the highest cell phone-ownership rates in the European Union. The Irish system runs on the digital GSM network and initial problems with coverage, caused by mountainous terrain, appear to have been eliminated. Check with your carrier to determine if your cell phone will work in Ireland. If not, you can rent a temporary cell phone in Ireland. Further information is available from your local tourist information office. They will be happy to supply a list of agents. Will I have access to the Internet for e-mail, etc. Many 4 and 5 star hotels in Ireland offer Internet access direct from your hotel room. Internet cafes are situated in most major cities and towns. Consult your nearest tourist information office when in Ireland. Additionally airports offer Internet access for a fee. Weights and Measures The Metric system has been adopted in Ireland but is not always enforced, for example, distances are measured in both miles and kilometers, drinks in pubs come in pints and petrol comes in liters while food is sold both in pounds and kilograms.
Will I need an international driver’s license in Ireland? A valid US/Canadian driver’s license is sufficient. Rules of the road? Drive on the left and overtake on the right is the rule of the road. Unless signs indicate otherwise speed limits are 30 mph/50kph in built up areas unless signs show otherwise; 60 mph/95kph on single carriageways and 70 mph/112kph on dual carriageways. ”Roundabouts” admittedly take a little getting used to. Just remember always to turn left into a roundabout and to yield to vehicles on the right. One signal that could be particularly misleading to U.S. drivers is a flashing yellow light at a pedestrian traffic light. This means yield to pedestrians, and proceed only if the crossing is clear. Can you provide a car & driver? Yes, we can. There are many reasons why a chauffeured motorcoach may be your group’s preference: You will have no concerns about losing your way…driving on the “wrong” side of the road…or missing a hard to get tee-time. All of our driver/guides are locals, well experienced in driving and true characters in their own right. Most are golfers themselves and also experts on the country’s history, folklore, traditions and sites of interest. We can assure you that each one of our driver/guides will add immeasurably to your Irish experience. Your O’Brien’s Golf Tour driver/guide will handle many of the details for you throughout the trip, hotel check-ins, golf club check-ins, help you find unique restaurants and a lot more. We normally recommend a 16 seater motorcoach for a group of 8, allowing the maximum of space for passengers and luggage. Another point, not to be overlooked, drinking and driving laws are extremely tough throughout Europe. Our driver/guides will take you to the best pubs and get you home safely, so you need have no concerns. So why not get the most out of your trip, sit back relax and leave the driving (and a lot more) to us. Are tee times important? Tee times are more than important - they are critical. The popularity of golf in Ireland has grown enormously over the past few years and it is virtually impossible to play a round of golf without a tee time. Probably the greatest service we provide to you is guaranteed tee times at some of the finest courses in the world. Caddies Approximate cost is $40 plus tip and can be requested in advance at most golf clubs. Payment is made by the golfer directly to the Golf Club or Caddie. (It is not included in the price of the tour.) Carts Pull carts are available at most golf courses. Motorized carts are only available on a limited basis at very few courses and must be requested in advance; however, they cannot be guaranteed. All cart fees must be paid by the golfer directly to the Golf Club. (It is not included in the price of a tour.) Weather? Ireland has a mild temperate climate with Summer temperatures generally ranging from 60° F/15° C to 70° F/20° C. Temperatures in Spring and Autumn are generally 50° F/10° C and in winter between 40° F/5° C and 46° F/8° C. Snow is a rare occurrence in Ireland. Showers can occur at any time of the year, but generally do not last very long. Do I need a letter of introduction or a handicap card from my club? It is suggested that all golfers carry a current handicap certificate as an increasing number of courses require visiting players to be a member of a golf club. In some cases, certain maximum handicap restrictions apply. Do I post scores from my trip to Ireland at my home club? Yes. The USGA recognizes Adjusted Gross Scores from golf courses in Ireland. Be certain that you have the course rating and scope rating of each course you play. How is the food? Irish cuisine, like the Irish palate, has become incredibly sophisticated. Irish cooking combines the best of rich fresh produce and home cooked loving care. While bacon and cabbage will always be considered a native dish, tastes have expanded and as a result, dining in Ireland now poses the gourmet with global choices. Irish and European restaurateurs have opened high class establishments, adding to a diverse range of eateries that already includes Italian, Indian, Chinese, Thai and vegetarian establishments. ”Pub grub” is often a lot better than its name suggests; in recent years, many pubs have converted or expanded into restaurants, serving excellent unpretentious meals at prices to which you can lift a pint. Can we drink the water? Tap water throughout the island of Ireland is generally safe to drink, though contamination of ground water and private wells is an increasing problem. If you prefer bottled water, it is readily available at all hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, and pubs. Pub Culture In many ways, the pub is the glue that holds Irish social life together. “Going for a pint’ is something of a national pastime. A local only needs to nod at the barman coming through the door to order a drink and a finger in the air is shorthand language for a pint of Guinness. No two nights are the same and it is primarily a social affair, an institution in which all can share. Traditional music often provides a backdrop to the murmur of conversation and friendly encounters. While the traditional type of bar is still very much in evidence, especially in the countryside, punters have never had so much competition in the type of establishment for their patronage. Themed pubs and lifestyle bars cater for the curious and alternative alike. This pub culture is a quintessential party of any Irish experience and will become immediately obvious to the visitor – but whatever you do, remember the key rule of traveling; never pass a bar with your name on it. Pub Opening Hours The legal drinking age in Ireland is 18 and depending on the establishment some pubs will insist that all patrons be over 21 years and carry some form of identification. Pubs in the Republic are generally open from 10:30 am to 11:30 pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and until 12:30 am Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, pubs are open from 12:30 until 11:00 pm. Pubs providing entertainment may stay open until 1:00 am during the week and 12:00 midnight on Sunday. Is the beer served warm? No, the beer is chilled. Most pubs offer a wide assortment of Irish and international beer and ale, including, of course, the world famous Guinness Stout – a black, yeasty ale with a thick, foamy head, it is the most widely consumed national drink, the undisputed king of the pubs, and one of the world’s great beers. Brewed in Dublin since Arthur Guinness established the drink in 1759, it depends for full effect on being trucked fresh from the brewery at St. James’s Gate straight to the nation’s pubs. Do they have ice? Yes. What’s an Irish breakfast Breakfast in Ireland can be continental (juice, rolls or toast, coffee or tea) or “full Irish” (juice, fruits, yogurt, cereal, eggs, bacon, sausage, brown bread, toast or scones, coffee or tea, and sometimes fish). If you choose the full breakfast, you’ll probably be content with a snack for lunch. Is cigarette smoking tolerated socially? Effective March 29, 2004, there is a complete ban on smoking in Ireland wherever people are employed, including pubs, restaurants and all workplaces. Can you arrange a day of fishing? Yes. For the fishing and angling community, the island of Ireland is one large waterworld offering solitude in stunning surrounds or in the company of like-minded individuals. A rich network of canals, loughs, rivers is complemented by the surrounding sea for ample opportunities for game and fly fishing as well as coarse and sea angling. Can you arrange a day/half day tour of Dublin/Killarney, etc. Yes, we can provide group tours or individually guided tours to suit your needs. Hill Walking Ireland’s natural and diverse landscape makes the ideal organic theatre for a range of different activity holidays. Hill walking is amongst the most popular of outdoor activities in Ireland. Each year, more than 270,000 visitors lose themselves in the ‘camouflage of emerald purity’ that is the Irish outdoors. From the well established walking routes of the Waymarked Way to the Wicklow Way, guided walks, special interest tours and scenic paths are just some of the options open to walkers, novice and experienced alike. Should I take Travelers checks? Traveler’s checks are something of an anachronism from the days before the ATM made cash accessible at any time. Before traveling abroad, ask your bank for a list of overseas ATMs. Be sure to check the daily withdrawal limit before you depart, and ask whether you need a new personal ID number (PIN). Can I use my credit/cash cards in ATM’s ATMs located in most banks accept VISA and MasterCard as well as PLUS and CIRRUS debit cards. Will I be charged to use my US bankcard in Irish ATMs? You will be charged the exchange rate and possibly a bank-handling fee. Check with your bank prior to travel. Are credit cards readily accepted in Ireland? Yes, credit cards are widely accepted in Ireland. Which US credit cards can I use in Ireland? VISA, MasterCard, AMEX are widely accepted in Ireland. Diners Club is not accepted in most rural establishments but usually is in urban areas. Amex and Diners Club are not widely accepted in Northern Ireland. What is the currency? On January 1, 2002 the Euro became the currency shared by 11 other EU countries. From July 1, 2002 it is the only legal currency in the Republic of Ireland. The Euro consists of 100 cents. Notes will be €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, and €500. Coins will be 1¢, 2¢, 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢ and €1. In Northern Ireland (as in the United Kingdom) Sterling is the local currency. The notes consists of £5, £10, £20, £50 and £100. the coins are £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p and 1p. What is VAT? When shopping in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, bear in mind that the price of most goods, excluding books and children’s clothing and footwear, already includes valued-added tax (VAT), a government tax of 17.36%. VAT is a hidden tax—it is already included on the price tags and in prices quoted to you. The easiest way to make a VAT-free purchase is to arrange for a store to ship the goods directly abroad to your home; such a shipment is not subject to VAT. However, you do have to pay for shipping, so you might not save that much in the end. If you want to take your goods with you, you must pay the full amount for each item, including all VAT charges (unless you are shopping at a store that offers tax-free purchases to non-EU visitors). However, you can have some of that tax refunded to you in a number of ways. Tourists are entitled to VAT refunds on some merchandise but not services. An important element in VAT reclamation is identifying and gathering original invoices (receipts). Be sure to keep all receipts for goods purchased in Ireland until refund eligibility has been determined. Tourists usually apply for and receive refunds when departing Ireland. However, if travel is continued to another country within the European Union, the documents should be retained and certified in the final country of departure from the EU. Validation from customs officials is ordinarily required to prove that purchased merchandise is being taken out of the country. Some shops, selling more expensive goods, operate a scheme for overseas visitors outside the European Union, to sell to you without VAT at the time of buying. Before you buy expensive things, be sure that you will not have to pay too much for them in customs, on returning to your country. There are also independent agencies which can assist in the VAT reclamation process. For further information, consult your accountant or tax advisor prior to traveling in Ireland. Tipping When a service charge is not included, 10-15% of the bill is appropriate. Taxi drivers are usually tipped 10% of the fare and porters about €75¢ or £0.50p per bag. In pubs, tipping lounge staff is at the customer’s discretion. What about insurance? When planning a trip, it is wise to consider insurance coverage for the various risk aspects of travel: health and accident, cancellation or disruption of services, and lost or stolen luggage. Travel insurance makes especially good sense when purchasing nonrefundable airline tickets. Before buying any new coverage, check your own insurance policies (automobile, medical, and homeowner) to see if they cover the elements of travel abroad. Also check the membership contracts of automobile and travel clubs, and the benefits extended by credit card companies. Health/Vaccines Vaccines are neither compulsory nor necessary. What if I get sick or injured? In an emergency, your hotel will contact a doctor for you. Admission to the hospital is usually arranged by the doctor. In the event of an emergency situation you should present identification to the hospital services. The health services in Ireland are excellent. If you need to get a prescription filled, it is advisable to visit an Irish general practitioner, explain your situation and get an Irish prescription which any pharmacy will service. |