Post and Phones
In towns throughout Ireland you'll find fully automatic payphones in kiosks; instructions for use are on display, and internal and international calls can easily be made. A local call generally costs 30p minimum in the Republic, 20p in the North but, as you might imagine, long-distance daytime calls are very expensive. International calls are cheapest if dialled direct after 6pm. Cardphones, found in towns all over the country, are by far the most convenient way of making long-distance calls, avoiding the chugging of coins interrupting your call; they're also cheaper than coin-operated phones. Phonecards can be bought at newsagents and post offices - it's worth carrying one with you since cash-operated phones are rare in remote areas. If you make calls from a hotel or the like, expect a hefty premium charged on top of the normal price. International dialling codes in the United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland) and Ireland follow the European standard - to call Ireland the code is 353, and for Northern Ireland, as part of the UK, it's 44. If you're calling the North from the Republic, however, the code is 048 followed by an eight digit number. Almost all telephone codes in Northern Ireland changed in 2000 and you may well come across out-of-date ones on leaflets, brochures and stationery. There are few fax offices outside Dublin or Belfast. If you need to use a fax, ask at one of the swankier hotels - they're usually pleased to help and are unlikely to charge you an unreasonable rate. The other option is to enquire at the nearest Internet cafe as these sometimes have fax facilities. Internet access is available in most reasonably sized towns and in many hostels . Post to or from the Republic is generally reasonably fast and efficient. If it's something important, it's worth spending the extra for registered mail. An Post (the postal service) has three different charges for the Republic: letters and postcards to Ireland or Britain cost 30p; those going to any other European country cost 32p; cards or letters outside Europe cost 45p. Main post offices are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm, and in cities and large towns until 5.30pm on Saturday. From the North , letters and postcards travel anywhere in the EU for 36p, for the rest of the world postcards are 40p and letters cost a minimum of 45p. Post office hours in the North are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am to 5.30pm and Wednesday and Saturday 9am to 12.30pm - later on Saturday in some Belfast offices.
Your Tip for Ireland
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