Leagan Gaeilge
Text Version
Display: Zoom
(-)
(+)
View ( Normal High contrast )
Printer Friendly
A to Z
Sitemap
Warning: Your browser doesn't support all of the features in this Web site. Please view our accessibility page for more details.
General Information
7. General Information
- 7.1 Banking and Currency
- 7.2 Euro
- 7.3 Postal Services
- 7.4 Telephone Service
- 7.5 Climate and Clothing
- 7.6 Electricity
- 7.7 Personal Safety
- 7.8 Emergency Services
- 7.9 Police
- 7.10 Public Holidays in Ireland
- 7.11 Embassy Addresses
7.1 Banking and Currency
Students should open a bank account as soon as possible after arrival. Banks near campus are:
-
Bank of Ireland, National University of Ireland, Galway
Code No. 904018 Intl. Tel. No. 353 91 524555, Fax No. 353 91 527671 -
Allied Irish Bank, Distillery Road, Newcastle, Galway
Code No. 937436 Intl. Tel. No. 353 91 524466, Fax No. 353 91 524095 -
Ulster Bank, Newcastle Road, Galway
Code No. 985753 Intl. Tel. No. 353 91 529013, Fax No. 353 91 529015
To open a bank account you need to have:
- passport
- NUI Galway student identity card
- Letter from NUI Galway confirming your home address and Galway address. This letter can be acquired from the International Affairs Office once you have registered as an NUI Galway student.
If you wish to open an account in one of these banks prior to arrival, your own bank will be able to facilitate this. It can take up to two weeks for the international transfer of money through the banking system. You should therefore allow for delays of this duration when deciding how much currency to bring with you in order to meet your initial expenses in the first few weeks after arrival.
Ireland places no limit on the amount of money that you may bring into the country in Irish pounds or foreign currency notes, traveller's cheques, banker's drafts, or letter of credit, but you may need the approval of exchange control in your own country for any transfer of funds. You will certainly require, immediately on arrival, a certain amount of cash to cover such expenses as train, bus and taxi fares, overnight accommodation and meals. It is advisable to have about €250 in cash and about €250 in traveller's cheques which are readily cashable. As your own local bank may not have a ready supply of this currency you are advised to order in plenty of time.
Most banks in Galway provide Bureau de Change and Traveller's Cheque facilities. There are also Bureaux de Change at Dublin Airport and Shannon Airport. Banks are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, and until 5 p.m. on Thursday.
| Back to Top |
7.2 The Euro
The euro (€) is the single currency of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), which consists of fifteen countries including Ireland.
The abbreviation for the euro is "EUR". One euro is made up of 100 cent.
7.3 Postal Services
There are many post offices in Galway. Stamps, airletter forms, postal orders etc. can be purchased in them. There is a post office adjacent to the University campus on Newcastle Road. The General Post Office, on Eglinton Street, is normally open from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Smaller post offices may close for lunch.
| Back to Top |
7.4 Telephone Service
There are public telephones in many outdoor locations all over Ireland as well as in telecentres, public buildings, including rail and bus stations, shops, pubs, restaurants and hotels. Local trunk and international calls can be dialled direct from these phones. Telephone cards can be purchased in telecentres and in post offices and retail outlets displaying the CallCard sign.
|
To make an international call from Ireland First dial:
Int'l Access Code
|
To call NUI Galway from North America First dial:
Int'l Access Code
|
| Back to Top |
7.5 Climate and Clothing
Western Ireland's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean with its Gulf Stream ensures that the climate is mild with temperatures generally in the range 32 Degrees -70 degrees F. The climate is damp, so waterproof clothing, a warm jacket or raincoat, an umbrella, non-porous footwear, and woollen sweaters are essential items for winter wear. These can all be purchased in the larger chain stores in Galway.
| Back to Top |
7.6 Electricity
The standard mains voltage is 220v.
| Back to Top |
7.7 Personal Safety
Galway is generally regarded as a safe city. However, normal precautions regarding personal safety both on and off campus should be taken. If leaving campus after dark, avoid poorly lit areas or areas that are not frequented by the public. A Campus Watch Service operates in the University and its objective is to make NUI Galway a safer place in which to study, live and work. If you notice anything suspicious contact Security staff at extension 2198/direct line 091 - 492198.
| Back to Top |
7.8 Emergency Services
Fire, Police, Ambulance and Coastal Rescue, Mountain and Cave Rescue: Dial 112 and ask the operator for the emergency service you require. There is no charge for this service.
| Back to Top |
7.9 Police
The police in Ireland are called Gardaí - full details of national and local Garda stations are in the green pages at the front of the telephone directory. In Galway, the main Garda station is located at Mill Street, Telephone: 091 - 563161.
| Back to Top |
7.10 Public Holidays in Ireland
| 2009 | 2010 | |
| Public Holiday | Thursday, January 1 | Friday, January 1 |
| St. Patrick's Day | Tuesday, March 17 | Wednesday, March 17 |
| Good Friday | Friday, April 10 | Friday, April 2 |
| Easter Monday | Monday, April 13 | Monday, April 5 |
| May Day | Monday, May 4 | Monday, May 3 |
| Public Holiday | Monday, June 1 | Monday, June 7 |
| Public Holiday | Monday, August 3 | Monday, August 3 |
| Public Holiday | Monday, October 26 | Monday, October 25 |
| Christmas Day | Friday, December 25 | Saturday, December 25 |
| St. Stephen's Day | Saturday, December 26 | Sunday, December 26 |
| Back to Top |
7.11 Embassy Addresses
Embassy of the United States of America.
Chancery: 42 Elgin Road,
Ballsbridge,
Dublin 2.
Tel: 353 1 668 7122
Fax: 353 1 668 9946
Embassy of Canada,
Chancery, 65-68 St. Stephen's Green,
Dublin 2.
Tel: 353 1 478 1988
Fax: 353 1 478 1285
| Back to Top |
This page was last updated Friday, November 28, 2008