Negotiating Ireland – Some Notes for Interns
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Welcome to Ireland – General Notes for Interns (2015 – will be updated for 2016 in January 2016) Fergus Ryan These notes are designed to introduce you to Ireland and to address any questions you might have concerning practical aspects about your visit to Ireland. About Ireland Ireland is an island on the north- financial services. The official west coast of Europe, with a languages are English and Irish. population of approximately 6.3 While English is the main language million inhabitants. It is of communication, Irish is spoken on approximately 32,600 square miles, a daily basis in some parts of the 300 miles from the northern most west, while over half a million tip to the most southern, and inhabitants speak a language other approximately 175 miles across, than English or Irish at home. making it just a little under half the (Sources: CSO Census 2011, size of Oklahoma State. www.cso.ie) Politically, the island comprises two Northern Ireland comprises six legal entities. The Republic of counties in the northeast corner of Ireland, with 4.6 million the island. A jurisdiction within the inhabitants, makes up the bulk of the United Kingdom, it has just over 1.8 island. The State attained million people. It has its own power- independence from the UK in 1922, sharing parliament and government and became a Republic in 1949. The with significant devolved powers Republic of Ireland is a sovereign, and functions. Its capital and largest democratic republic, with its current city is Belfast. Northern Ireland is Constitution dating back to 1937. It politically divided along religious is a member of the European Union lines: 48% of those in Northern and the Council of Europe, but is Ireland are Protestant or were militarily non-aligned. The capital brought up as such, while 45% are and largest city is Dublin. The vast Roman Catholic by birth. majority of the population is Roman Historically, Northern Ireland has Catholic (84%), though otherwise witnessed significant religious and the population is quite diverse – for political division. A sustained instance, 17% of inhabitants were terrorist campaign prevailed from born outside Ireland and around the 1970s through to the 1990s, 12% of residents are non-Irish though as a result of a peace nationals. Major industries include settlement brokered in 1998, the pharmaceuticals, IT and software jurisdiction is now overwhelmingly development, agriculture, and peaceful. 1 About Dublin Dublin is Ireland’s largest city and the capital of the Republic of Ireland. It was formally founded in 988 AD though it has been settled since at least 104 AD. The city’s urban area is home to 1.1 million people and the county of Dublin and the four surrounding counties house 1.8 million people or over one-third of the State’s population. Dublin city centre, however, is reasonably small and compact and easily navigable by foot. Dublin is a diverse and vibrant city, with a rich culture and history. Some of the buildings, including Christ Church Cathedral, are over 1,000 years old. As the seat of parliament, and home to the government and the superior courts, Dublin is Ireland’s political and legal hub. It also plays host to no fewer than 3 universities and several third-level educational institutions. The city’s population is relatively young and diverse, and it is well renowned for its vibrant nightlife, and its traditional pubs. The city is a popular venue for live concerts, theatre and various festivals. Currency The currency in the Republic of Ireland is the Euro, which is the common currency of 19 EU countries, including France, Germany, Spain and Italy. €1 = $1.18 as of January 2015 (exchange rates vary over time). There are 100 cents in a euro. Coins are in 1 cent, 2 cent, 5 cent, 10 cent, 20 cent, 50 cent, €1 and €2 denominations. The notes start at €5 and progress to €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500 euro notes. The currency in Northern Ireland is the UK (British) pound sterling. £1 = $1.52 as of January 2015 (this figure changes over time). There are 100 pence in a £1. The 4 main Northern Irish banks issue their own bank notes, which differ from those used in the rest of the UK, but Bank of England notes can be used in Northern Ireland. Weather Ireland remains relatively temperate and mild even in the Summer. Typical temperatures in June vary from around 50-70˚F. The average Summer temperature is around 60˚F and it rarely exceeds 75˚F. That said, the weather is often unpredictable and variable, and it is best to bring one light sweater in case it gets cold. Please be aware that some Irish workplaces do not have air-conditioning and may get somewhat stuffy on hot days. 2 The key point to note about weather patterns in Ireland is that they are notoriously unpredictable and changeable. The stereotype of Ireland as a very rainy country is arguably somewhat exaggerated, and relative to the rest of Ireland, Dublin is quite dry. That said, it can rain at the most unexpected times so it’s always safest to carry a small umbrella or raincoat even on a fine day. Even if it looks like it is going to be sunny on a particular, be prepared for rain! Packing: Dress Code for Interns Interns are expected to treat their formal business suit. You can then internships like regular work and gauge the attire in the relevant office should dress accordingly. The Irish while making a good first at work are probably about as impression. formal as North American workers, but will tend to be somewhat more For men, at court, in law firms and in relaxed regarding interns’ attire. government agencies it is best to wear a shirt and tie with smart Workplaces can vary in terms of trousers on a daily basis. In other their approach, with NGO workplaces, such as NGOs, it may not organisations being much more be necessary to wear a tie on a daily casual than government agencies, basis, but bring a few along for law firms and the courts. You are formal and special occasions. In advised to check with the contact at Ireland, with dark shoes, it is your internship provider as to what generally considered more is considered appropriate workwear appropriate to wear dark socks. and pack accordingly. For women, either trouser suits or In most offices, and on most days, skirts are perfectly acceptable. smart casual attire is recommended (shirt/blouse, trousers/skirt, shoes) Religious apparel such as turbans, but please bring one good formal hijabs and yarmulkes are perfectly business suit (the kind you would acceptable in the workplace, wear to an interview) for your first including in public sector day and for special occasions such as workplaces. court appearances. Dark black suits are best, as barristers wear black to Interns should not wear jeans, court (white shirt/blouse, trainers/running shoes, t-shirts, everything else black). sweatshirts (particularly if hooded) and tracksuits at work. T-shirts with On your first day at your internship slogans should also be avoided. we recommend that you wear a Contacting your internship provider Your internship pack (which you will receive before arrival in Ireland) will give you contact details for your internship provider. You should make contact with 3 your liaison at the internship prior to arrival in Ireland or as soon as possible after arrival. Phoning for directions/help The international dialing code for Ireland is +353 If calling Ireland from the US, dial 011-353 and then the number including the area prefix, dropping the zero at the start of the area prefix. Dublin landline (fixed) phone numbers all have the same prefix (01). This prefix need not be used when ringing from another landline (fixed phone) in the 01 area (all of Dublin). If, however, you are ringing a landline from a cell phone, insert the prefix 01. ‘Mobile phones’ (cell phones) have the prefixes 083, 085, 086, 087 or 089, depending on the network. These prefixes should always be used, even if you are calling from the same network. Ready to go/pre-paid cellphones are typically quite cheap to purchase and cheap to operate. If you anticipate having to make lots of calls in Dublin, it is quite economical and convenient to purchase a ‘pay as you go’ cellphone for the duration of your study. You may also be able to get a pay as you go SIM card for your phone, for the duration of your stay. The main cellphone companies are: 3, E-mobile, Meteor, O2 and Vodafone. EMERGENCY NUMBERS: Phone 999 or 112 for the police, fire or ambulance Transport and Travel: Getting Around Getting from the airport then get a taxi the rest of the way to The airport in Dublin is to the north UCD. Several buses and coaches are of the city, approximately 7 miles available that travel from the airport from the city centre. The most to the city centre and in some cases convenient way to get from the directly to UCD. There are plenty of airport to UCD is by taxi, but it is also taxis available in the city centre and the most expensive, costing in or this may help reduce travel costs. around €40 depending on the time and route taken. One possible way Aircoach operates a coach service of reducing costs is to arrange in from Dublin Airport to the UCD slip advance to share a taxi with fellow road. See www.aircoach.ie for students on the programme, if you further details.