Officially known as the Republic of Ireland, Ireland is a country located in northwestern Europe, occupying most of the island of Ireland, which it shares with Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kingdom). The nation is often referred to as the "Emerald Isle" due to its lush green landscapes, rolling hills, rugged coastlines, and historic sites, has a rich cultural heritage rooted in Celtic traditions, with strong influences in music, literature, and folklore, and is a parliamentary democracy and a member of the European Union. Northern Ireland is a dynamic and culturally rich part of the UK, with a mix of British and Irish identities, and is known for striking natural landscapes, such as the Giant’s Causeway, the Mourne Mountains, and scenic coastlines.
Dublin is the capital and largest city of Ireland, where as Belfast is Northern Ireland's capital. Both located on the eastern coast (with Dublin at the mouth of the River Liffey); Dublin is a vibrant city known for its literary history, Georgian architecture, lively arts scene, and friendly atmosphere, and home to many cultural institutions such as Trinity College, Dublin Castle, and the National Museum of Ireland, including the Guinness Storehouse, where visitors can learn about Ireland’s iconic stout. And Belfast was historically a major centre of industry, particularly shipbuilding (Belfast's Harland & Wolff shipyard was where the RMS Titanic was built). Today, Belfast is a modern city with a strong cultural scene, historic architecture, vibrant neighbourhoods, and is home to famous attractions like the Titanic Belfast museum, Belfast City Hall, and the Botanic Gardens.
UTC+0 daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October.
Flooding, landslides, storms and heatwaves.
For traffic violations, penalties can apply for less obvious infringements:
On-the-spot fines range from €60 to €200 in Ireland, and must be paid within 28 days or fine gets increased by 50% (further delay may result in court proceedings). Northern Ireland have on-the-spot fine too, with speeding fines generally start at £60 (when caught by enforcement cameras). If not pursued or traceable (especially for non‑UK nationals), some fines may not be enforced. However, Offences caught by PSNI officers still result in penalty notices or court action even for foreign drivers.
The official languages of Ireland are Irish (Gaeilge) and English.
Vehicles drive on the left in both Ireland and Northern Ireland. Drivers must bring a valid national driving licence (or an International Driving Permit, depending on your nationality), and if using your own vehicle, carry your insurance certificate and V5 registration document.
The minimum age to drive in both nations is 17, but drivers are generally required to be at least 21 to rent, but for some companies, it's 23 or 25. Also, drivers under 25 will be faced with a 'young driver surcharge', which would often be around €30 per day.
For roundabouts; yield to traffic that are already circulating, enter from the left and signal for exits. Many rural roads are narrow, winding, and may have no hard shoulders. Drive slowly and be prepared to pull over or give way. In addition, watch out for one-lane bridges, blind summits, and farm traffic or animals.
The Republic of Ireland: uses kilometres per hour (km/h) for speed limits, while Northern Ireland uses miles per hour (mph):
Speed limits are clearly signposted; watch for unit changes when crossing borders between jurisdictions.
The limit for a fully licensed driver is 0.05%, while it is 0.02% for learner/new/professional drivers. Random breath tests are widely enforced.
Always wear seat belt. Drivers are responsible for ensuring all passengers are belted.