Irish Life

Consumer
Irish goods VAT tax is as high as 21%. The national livelihood is generally expensive especially on consumer goods. Generally, the average price of commodities in Ireland, is more expensive than in the United Kingdom. Statistical surveys say that an individual living in Dublin area has a basic monthly expenses of at least 800 pounds or equivalent to about 900 U.S. dollars. Foreigners will more likely to spend more.

There are a lot of big supermarkets, grocery stores and restaurants around and are open 24 hours. However, the prices of products are very much higher than in Taiwan. There are also Chinese restaurants serving side by side with western restaurants. Nonetheless, there is no price differences. A lunch costs 20 to 40 US dollars while dinner is about 40 to 70 US Dollars. The most frequented fast food shops are McDonald’s and Hamburg because the foods are affordable. Chinese meal bought from “take away outlets” have generally low price of about 6 to 9 US Dollars.

Traffic conditions
Irish national road network is favorable. Dublin has a lot of coastal town and the suburbs of north and south can be accessed through the MRT (called DART by the Irish). The city roads utilize public buses but they often lose trips because they are not convenient to ride in especially the IO.

Telephone taxi booking may also prod the street and the fare is expensive.

Although the national road networks are of good quality, the Expressway bends and mingles with the urban roads. Moreover, the width of roads varies irregularly.

PFS is very common. The drivers sit on the right side of vehicles. Furthermore, there is a high mortality rate related to vehicular accidents. Most of these vehicular accidents are caused by drunkenness and reckless driving.
Dublin urban traffic congestion serious situation is even worse than Taipei. The Railway Transit S ystem is not developed. Commuters during workdays find cars/taxi more convenient. For tourist who want to drive rented car must provide himself an international driver’s license. Car rental prices varies everyday from about 30 to 60 US Dollars.

International aviation and maritime transportation are equally convenient. The popular Irish International Airlines are Aer Lingus, Ryanair, and Cityjet. There are also British International Airlines like the British Airways and Midland Airline. These airlines fly to the United States and other European countries on regular flights schedule. Domestic flights are also available to transport tourists and businessmen in major cities of the land and in Europe. Another convenient Dublin port, in addition to cargo ships are huge and fast super ferries that transport daily to and from the United Kingdom to Ireland

Telephone, telegraph, radio and TV services
Irish telecommunications such as Internet (Internet and E-mail), radio and television were developed for both public and private use. The use of telephone however seems to be the most convenient medium of communication, thus Ireland has the highest rate of telephone use as compared to other neighboring countries. Foreigners can buy prepaid card to convenience stores at more likely affordable price. There are two wireless TV stations: RTE and TV3. The RTE is owned by the state. It has three channels, one uses the Irish language as its medium.

Local newspapers, magazines and periodicals, information
The British newspapers, magazines and periodicals are very popular source of information on current events. These forms of media can be bought from newsstands in supermarkets, shops and filling stations. The Irish national newspapers are the Irish Times and Irish Independent. Aside from these, there are also local tabloids.

Mails
Post Offices here are efficient and safe. Mails to be sent domestically may take two days while international mail such as to Taiwan would take seven days. There is also an express mail which is speedier service. Some general pouches to be mailed may be opened for inspection.

Medical Services and Insurance
Ireland innovative medical equipment are advanced enough as they are patterned after the standards of British Medical System. In addition to emergency or Casualty Emergency, patients with ordinary ailments are advised to consult first the General Practitioners (GP) before they see a doctor/specialist. It will be the GP who will make an appointment with the doctor to see you if necessary. The patient then have to prepare the medical fee of about 30 US Dollars excluding treatment and drugs. Pharmacies require GP prescription in buying drugs. GP difficult cases will be issued a letter of endorsement to another hospital and be booked for specialist/physician diagnosis. Diagnosis costs about 120 U.S. dollars each. Blood tests and other laboratory tests including dental clinics costs about 100 US Dollars each treatment. Tooth extraction fee is very expensive and the booking process takes a long time. Pregnant women takes time to book for a consultation with the Gynecologist. Women may deliver birth with the assistance of nurse or midwife. For convenience purposes, tourist and foreigners may take with them their own medicines such as gastrointestinal drugs, cold medicine, ointment and so on; and more importantly, they must have accident and medical insurances.

Religious activities
Ireland population is about 90% Catholics and the rest are protestants and other Christian denominations. This results to the Catholic’s great influence on Irish politics and social affairs.

Leisure and entertainment
Irish people love sports and like to watch all kinds of sports competition. Leisure hang outs are usually taverns which are ideal for drinking spree and chatting. Aside from the Irish Red Liquors beer especially the Guinness Rye Beer is also popular. Aside from taverns and restaurants, there are also other establishments suitable for personal pleasure like theater house and cinemas. Aside from horse riding which is more for personal pleasure, Irish also enjoy much the Irish soccer (Gaelic football), the Irish-style hockey, British soccer, rugby, hockey, golf, tennis, sailing and swimming. Market places are also venues for gambling and other social occasions.

During Christmas, Easter and other holidays, Irish people usually spend their weekend of traveling abroad or to retreat to remote countryside resort. Because of this, hotel industry flourished with very affordable accommodation fee. F our and Five-star hotel suite overnight accommodation good for two occupants costs about 200-400 U.S. dollars. Each three-star hotel accommodation for overnight is about 80 to 200 U.S. dollars. The family-style B & B (bed + breakfast) is a small hotel popular throughout the country. Each occupant on the 1st accommodation costs from 30 to 70 U.S. dollars. Peak season and lean season charge rate considerably vary.

Etiquette and social activities
Irish people love chatting usually in taverns and restaurants. Aside from that, they also love horse riding and golfing at the Greyhound Field. The church is the most important sector of the social settings. Neighboring families frequently invite each other’s family for a tea. Fathers do not bring their children in social gatherings. During ceremonies, the men shake hands while women hug and kiss each other’s cheeks. They also call their friends by nick names like Pat or Paddy for Patrick, Patsy for Patricia. Most Irish, men and women alike are drunkard. They are also talkative and they love to tell stories and other forms of entertainment often until midnight.