General Information

The Congress

[Congress Venue] [Languages] [Visa Requirements] [Transport] [Flying to Dublin] [Insurance]

Dublin and Ireland

[Climate] [Currency & Credit Cards] [Shopping] [Tourist Information] [Electricity & Voltage]

Congress venue – The RDS, Dublin

The 2008 IPA European Meeting will take place in the

Royal Dublin Society (RDS)
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4

The RDS Irish International Convention and Exhibition Centre was founded in 1731 to promote the development of agriculture, arts, science, and industry in Ireland and is Ireland’s premier venue for meetings, conferences and exhibitions. It is located in the centre of Dublin. For more information on the venue, see www.rds.ie.

Languages and Translation

The official language is English.

Visa Requirements

No visa requirements for EU passport holders. All non-EU citizens should contact their local embassies for specific requirements.

Transport

From Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre: From Dublin area, 'Aircoach’ offers services between City Centre, South Dublin City and the airport. This service runs 24 hours, every day. Tickets can be purchased from the bus driver and cost approximately €7.00 (one-way) or €12 (round-trip). This service stops at most of the major hotels around Dublin City. For more information visit: www.aircoach.ie

Taxis: You can get a taxi to and from the airport to most areas in Dublin. An average day fare from City Centre is €40.00. Ask the taxi driver to estimate the fare before getting into the car if in doubt. There are extra charges for additional passengers, luggage, animals (other than guide dog), time of day, Sundays, and public holidays. All information regarding charges is available from the taxi driver. Details also available at the taxi rank at the airport.

Car from Airport: Car rental companies such as Hertz, Argus, Avis and Europcar etc. are all available from the airport. The airport is easy to access from the M50 or M1/N1. South or West - Most major national roads (N81, N7, N4, N3, N2) stem from the M50 ring road. North - The N1/M1 heading north will take you directly from the airport roundabout. East - Heading south on the N1/M1 will take you directly from the airport roundabout.

Boat: High speed or conventional ferries operate between the UK and Dublin. Conventional ferries operate from France to either Rosslare or Cork. For further information, please contact www.irishferries.com or www.stenaline.com.

Directions to RDS From Dublin Port: Follow signs to the Eastlink toll bridge. Cross and take the 3rd exit on the right into Irishtown. Turn right at traffic lights, then left into Haddington Road. Turn left onto the R111 signposted to Ballsbridge.

Route Planner: For information on travelling by car in Ireland, contact AA Roadwatch. There is an excellent route planner on website www.aaireland.ie

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Flying to Dublin

More than 90 airlines serve Dublin Airport with more than 150 destinations. There is an extensive short and medium-haul route network: several domestic Irish routes, over thirty routes to the UK, and a large network of routes to continental Europe. In addition to this, there are numerous direct flights to North America and the Middle East. For a full list of destinations and airlines that service Dublin Airport, click here. To view a useful interactive map showing the direct flights to Ireland, click here.

Cheap Flights: There are 2 large low-cost airlines who fly into Dublin Airport. For further details see:

Insurance

Delegates are advised to arrange adequate travel insurance before leaving their home country.

Climate

Being on the western fringe of Europe, the climate is mild, changeable and unpredictable. For up to date weather information contact www.met.ie.

Currency and Credit Cards

The currency in the Republic of Ireland is the Euro (€). All major credit cards are accepted for payment in hotels, restaurants and shops. Banks in Dublin are open from 10.00 to 16.00 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and until 17.00 on Thursdays.

Shopping

Opening hours are normally from 09:00 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday with late night shopping on a Thursday evening until 21:00. Most shops are open on Sundays from 12:00 – 18:00.

Tourist Information

If you are planning to extend your stay in Ireland visit www.ireland.ie for more information.

customs house Information on Dublin: Dublin lies on the east coast of Ireland, with greater Dublin bounded to the north by the Howth Hills and to the south by the Dalkey headland. The river Liffey winds its way through the City Centre. Further south of the city lie the Wicklow Mountains with their breathtaking valleys and waterfalls. The city originally came to life as a Viking settlement over one thousand years ago. After the Norman conquest of Ireland in the 12th century, the town developed into an administrative capital, establishing a parliament and government subject to the British Crown. In the early 20th century, Ireland gained independence and Dublin became the political, economic and cultural capital of a fledgling nation.After many years of growth and improved infrastructure, Dublin has emerged as a thriving capital with a prosperous, vibrant population.

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Dublin is famous for its illustrious educational and cultural past. The city boasts a wealth of literary and artistic figures - Yeats, Wilde, Goldsmith, Behan and Beckett to name but a few. Trinity College, founded in 1591, welcomed many famous authors and public figures through its doors over the centuries. University College Dublin, which recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, was the first Catholic university in Ireland and was founded by Cardinal John Henry Newman in 1854. Offering the opportunity of education for all, UCD's fine traditions have stood the test of time, and the university is proud to count amongst its alumni distinguished writers such as James Joyce and Maeve Binchy, sporting heroes such as Brian O'Driscoll and Kevin Moran, along with eminent business people, politicians and artists.

From the glitz and glamour of Grafton Street to the flower sellers and street vendors of Henry Street, Dublin City offers an unrivalled array of sights, sounds and songs that are sure to delight even the most seasoned traveller. In the Georgian quarter of the city you will find some of the finest examples of the architecture of the time. For a quiet pint and a chat with locals, visit one of the many fine pubs around town or, for a truly cosmopolitan experience, visit Temple Bar with its selection of cafes, clubs, bars and markets.

For the official Dublin Visitor website - see www.visitdublin.com.

james gate