From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Ireland Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Tue, 11 Mar 1997 13:42:13 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1271 Path: world!bzs Message-ID: <970311134213_76702.1202_CHN34-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: bzs@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 82 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Ireland ============================================================ Ireland - Consular Information Sheet March 10, 1997 Country Description: Ireland is a highly developed democracy with a modern economy. Entry Requirements: A passport is necessary but a visa is not required for tourist or business stays of up to three months. For information concerning entry requirements for Ireland, travelers can contact the Embassy of Ireland at 2234 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 462-3939, or the nearest Irish Consulate in Boston, Chicago, New York or San Francisco. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities are available. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Travelers have found that in some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including provision for medical air evacuation, has proved to be useful. Further information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559 or by visiting CDC's Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov. Crime Information: Ireland has a low rate of violent crime. There is a high incidence of petty crime, mostly theft, burglary, and purse-snatching. Rental cars and tourists, particularly in the vicinity of tourist attractions, are targeted by thieves. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. U.S. citizens can refer to the Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" for ways to promote a trouble-free trip. The pamphlet is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Terrorist Activities: On February 9, 1996, the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) announced the end of a cease-fire. The threat of terrorist violence in Northern Ireland and danger of violence spilling over into Ireland remains. The presence of police on the border regions will likely fluctuate depending on the threat of violence. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use, or dealing in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Road Conditions: Driving is on the left side of the road in Ireland. Motorists without experience in left drive countries should be extra cautious. Tourists driving on the wrong side of the road are the cause of several serious accidents each year. Road conditions are generally very good, but once off the highway, country roads quickly become narrow and uneven. Registration/Embassy Location: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy and obtain updated information on travel and security in Ireland. Travelers to Northern Ireland may consult the Consular Information Sheet for the United Kingdom. The U.S. Embassy in Dublin is located at 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, tel. (353)(1) 668-7122, fax (353)(1) 668-9946. Further information and answers to many frequently asked questions are available on the Embassy's Internet home page (www.indigo.ie/usembassy-usis/). No. 97-044 This replaces the consular information sheet dated February 20, 1996, to provide information on passport and visa requirements, road conditions and Internet addresses. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. To unsubscribe, send a message containing the word "unsubscribe" to: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL: "http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher: gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories