Ireland and Irish Culture
Language, Culture, Weather, and more!
The Irish Language, An Ghaeilge
The Irish language is the official national language of the Republic of Ireland, though English is the most widely used language in the country. In Ireland, road signs and most official plaques, maps, and other official documentation are presented in both languages. You will not need to know any Irish to visit the country, but any attempt to learn the language will likely be appreciated.
The Weather
Dublin weather is very mild, with very little snow in the winter and very few extremely hot days in the summer. It rains frequently in Dublin, though typically only light showers with few thunderstorms. Rain coats and/or umbrellas are a daily necessity in Dublin. It is recommended to pack layers, as the weather frequently changes from chilly and wet in the morning to warm and sunny in the afternoon, no matter the season.
Currency & Tipping
The official currency of the Republic of Ireland is the Euro, the shared currency of 18 other European Union member states. ATMs are available throughout the country for cash withdrawals, and credit cards and contactless payments are widely accepted. Cash can be exchanged before you leave your home country or in Dublin International Airport upon arrival, but be aware that fees and exchange rates for such transfers may be much higher than withdrawing from an ATM here.
While gaining in popularity, tipping is not typical in Irish culture. As a general rule, if you would like to give a gratuity, somewhere in 10% range would be standard. Note that some restaurants add a “service charge” to the bill in lieu of any expected tip.
Emergencies
Ireland has two national emergency numbers: 112 and 999. Either will connect you with police, fire, and ambulance services. These numbers are for emergencies only and can be dialled from any phone. In addition, UCD has a 24-hour emergency line at 01 716 7999.
Contact Global Partnerships
As Ireland’s Global University, UCD seeks to develop and support partnerships with other institutions, governments and research agencies around the world. It does so in support of its Global Engagement Strategy and to underpin the fundamentally collaborative nature of the university’s core missions in teaching and learning, and research and discovery. UCD Global plays a key role in supporting UCD’s global relations and partnerships, working collaboratively with the University’s senior management, Colleges and Schools to develop strategic international relationships and networks for the long term.
The UCD Global partnerships team supports the development of bilateral and multilateral partnerships, securing external funding where possible. For a list of our current university partners, please search our partner directory.
Please email (opens in a new window)global.partnerships@ucd.ie if you are interested in partnering with UCD.