Safety: after the signing of the peace agreement between the United Kingdom and the IRA in the 1990’s, Northern Ireland is now one of the safest places in the world to visit. In fact Northern Ireland has one of the lowest rates of crime in Europe and visitors are unlikely going to experience anything untoward. Pickpockets, like anywhere, are an ever-present problem in tourist areas and you should remain vigilant when out and about. Driving is a different matter and Northern Ireland has one of the highest accident rates per head of population. Try and avoid rush hours in the larger cities and drive more defensively than you perhaps would at home. Needless to say, having good travel cover, especially if you plan on driving, is a must when visiting Northern Ireland. Belfast is generally mild at most times with bright skies, yet stiff breezes are common. Wintertime is not a good time to visit Northern Ireland as days are short and nights generally long, cold, and damp. Money: as part of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland still uses pound sterling, although the main Northern Irish banks print their own version of the pound. This can be a bit of a problem if you plan on visiting the mainland straight after Northern Ireland as currency exchanges in Great Britain do not recognise the Northern Ireland pound notes as legal tender. Northern Ireland is inline with the rest of the UK with regards to cost, if a little more expensive, and credit cards will be accepted at most outlets. Language: English is spoken everywhere in Northern Ireland and you will have no problem conversing and being understood. If you intend on visiting some out-of-the-way places, however, you may find the various regional dialects, such as Ulster Scots and Irish, quite confusing in some of the smaller communities. Emergency: the emergency services consist of the police, fire and ambulance and like the rest of the UK are all available by dialling 999. The emergency services are fast and efficient and the only likely occurrence when you would need them, apart from the health aspect, would be on the road. Check to see if your motoring organisation in your home country has a reciprocal agreement with those of the UK; chiefly the AA and the RAC. The AA and RAC can be called from SOS phones on the motorways around Belfast. Ambulance: 999
Police: 999
Recommended hospital:
Royal Victoria Hospital - Grosvenor Road, Belfast
Tel: +44 28 024 0503 Typical business hours:
- Government departments: 09:00 to 17:00 (may vary slightly).
- Retail: 09:00 to 17:00 (later in malls), Monday to Saturday (shops open Sunday in tourist areas during the summer) - one early-closing day a week, usually Wednesday or Thursday.
- Banking: 10:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 15:00, or 16:00, Monday to Friday (banks may stay open for lunch in Belfast and Londonderry).
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