Country Information

Ireland's local produce such as meat is highly regarded, and being used in a new wave of cusine which revisits Irish classics in gourmet settings. The surrounding sea, inland lakes and rivers offer fresh fish including salmon, trout, lobster, mussels, periwinkles and, of course, oysters, something Guiness was designed to accompany.

Cookery schools have sprung up around the country, offering classes all year round, to smaller, informal courses run by enthusiastic chefs in rural restaurants. Soda bread, Dublin coddle (pork stew) and Irish stew are among the hearty dishes that can be perfected.

Things to know: Table and self-service are both common. ‘Tea' is often almost a full meal with sandwiches and cakes. Pubs, of which Ireland has plenty, are sometimes called ‘lounges' or ‘bars' and there is often a worded sign outside the premises rather than the traditional painted boards found in the UK. Pubs and bars have counter service. The measure used in Ireland for spirits is larger than that used in the UK - example an Irish double is equal to a triple in the UK.

National specialities:
• Dublin Bay prawns.
• Oysters, served with Guinness and soda bread.
• Irish stew, traditionally made with mutton or old sheep, now mostly made with lamb or juicy beef, and usually served with potatoes, stock, onions, carrots and garlic.
• Crubeens (pigs’ trotters).
• Colcannon (a mixture of potatoes and cabbage cooked together).

National drinks:
• Whiskey: popular brands are Jamesons, John Powers Gold Label, Hewitts, Midleton, Old Bushmills, Paddy, Reserve and Tullamore Dew.
• Irish coffee is popular (a glass of strong black coffee, brown sugar and whiskey with cream).
• Guinness, one of the most famous, popular and distinctive drinks in the world, is found everywhere.
• Other popular alternatives to Guinness are Murphy's and Beamish, both brewed in Cork.
• One of the most popular lighter ales is Smithwick’s, also available everywhere.
• Liqueurs such as Bailey's and Irish Mist are both made from a base of Irish whiskey.

Legal drinking age: 18, although some bars will insist that patrons are over 21 and carry ID. Children under 18 years must leave establishments by 2100.

Tipping: The customary tip in Ireland is 10 to 12%. Many hotels and restaurants add this in the form of a service charge indicated on the menu or bill. It is not customary to tip in bars unless you have table service when a small tip is advised.

Most towns in Ireland have clubs, bars and pubs with live music. It is quite common to find pubs holding seisun, playing traditional Irish music with traditional instruments. The dancehalls and discos of previous eras have now been replaced with clubs similar to those found throughout the UK and Western Europe. Special events and themed nights often take place at special attractions such as the medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle. There is a good choice of theatres and cinemas.

Special purchases include hand-woven tweed, hand-crocheted woollens and cottons, sheepskin goods, gold and silver jewellery, Aran knitwear, linen, pottery, Irish crystal and basketry. Ideal gifts include: a copy of Ulysses from an Irish bookshop, a bottle of Jameson or Bushmills whiskey from the distillery or Irish Salmon.

Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1730/1800. Many towns have a late night opening on Thursday or Friday until 2000/2100 and smaller towns may have one early closing day a week. On Sunday, main shopping centres and some of the larger department stores open 1200-1700/1800. Many smaller supermarkets in towns and villages also open.

Under the ‘Retail Export Scheme', it is possible to claim VAT back on goods bought in Ireland on leaving the EU. For further information, contact the VAT Administration Branch, Stamping Building, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2 (tel: (1) 674 8858; www.revenue.ie).