Telephones (Telecom Eireann)
The Dial Tone is continuous and high pitched. The Ringing Tone is a repeated burr-burr. The Engaged Tone is a high-pitched beep-beep-beep. Most public telephones take £1, 50p, 20p and 10p coins. Telecom Eireann phone cards (used in Cardphones) can be purchased in Post Offices and retail outlets displaying the Callcard sign. Cards are available in 10, 20, 50 and 100 unit denominations. Old style phone boxes are coloured blue and cream and marked Telefon. Dial 114 (or 10 on old A/B coin-boxes) for International Operator Services. Emergencies. Dial 999 and specify which type of assistance – Ambulance, Coastal Rescue, Fire, Police (Gardai) is required. Rape Crisis Centre, 70 Leeson St. Tel: (01) 6614911/6614564.
Mail
Irish postage stamps must be used on all letters posted in the Republic. Mail collections take place up to 3 times per weekday, with 2 deliveries per weekday, one in country areas and one on Saturday. Post Offices, which are open 9.00-17.30 Mon-Fri and 9.00am-13.00pm on Saturday, handle larger packages.
Public Holidays
The eight public holidays are as follows:
1st January (New Year’s Day, but if falling on a Sunday, the next Monday): 17th March (St. Patrick’s Day. If falling on a Sunday, the next Monday); Last Monday in October; 25th December (Christmas Day, but if falling on a Sunday the next Tuesday); 26th December (St. Stephen’s Day, but if falling on a Sunday, the next Monday). Banks and most shops are closed on these days and public transport may be greatly curtailed.
Internal Travel
Mainline Iarnrod Eireann (35 Abbey St. Lr. Tel: (01) 836 6222) – the rail division of ClE/Coras Iompair Eireann – trains run between Dublin and many cities and towns throughout Ireland. Trains depart westwards from Dublin’s Heuston Station for Longford and Athlone via Mullingar and also to Kildare and Portlaoise. Trains north to Drogheda & Dundalk and south for Wicklow and the sea ferries from Rosslare leave from Connolly Station. The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) electric rail service serves Dublin’s coastal commuter belt from Bray and Dun Laoghaire in the south, to Howth north of the city.
