Ireland (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Fionn Davenport [638]
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RECOMMENDED VACCINATIONS
No jabs are required to travel to Ireland. The World Health Organization recommends, however, that all travellers should be covered for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, polio and hepatitis B, regardless of their destination.
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IN TRANSIT
DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT)
Blood clots may form in the legs during plane flights, chiefly because of prolonged immobility. The longer the flight, the greater the risk. The chief symptom of deep vein thrombosis is swelling or pain of the foot, ankle, or calf, often on just one side. When a blood clot travels to the lungs, it may cause chest pain and difficulty breathing. Travellers with any of these symptoms should immediately seek medical attention.
To prevent the development of DVT on long flights, you should walk about the cabin, contract the leg muscles while sitting, drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol and tobacco.
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JET LAG & MOTION SICKNESS
To avoid jet lag (quite common when crossing more than five time zones), try drinking plenty of nonalcoholic fluids and eating light meals. Upon arrival, get exposure to natural sunlight and readjust your schedule (for meals, sleep etc) as soon as possible.
Antihistamines such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine (Antivert, Bonine) are quite often the first choice for treating motion sickness. A herbal alternative is ginger.
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IN IRELAND
AVAILABILITY & COST OF HEALTH CARE
Excellent health care is readily available. For minor, self-limiting illnesses, pharmacists can give valuable advice and sell over-the-counter medication. They can also advise when more specialised help is required and point you in the right direction.
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TRAVELLER’S DIARRHOEA
If you develop diarrhoea, be sure to drink plenty of fluids, preferably in the form of an oral rehydration solution, such as dioralyte. If diarrhoea is bloody, persists for more than 72 hours or is accompanied by fever, shaking, chills or severe abdominal pain you should seek urgent medical attention.
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ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Heatstroke
Heat exhaustion (yes, even in Ireland it can still happen!) occurs following excessive fluid loss with insufficient replacement of fluids and salt. Symptoms include headache, dizziness and tiredness. Dehydration is already happening by the time you feel thirsty – aim to drink sufficient water to produce pale, diluted urine. To treat heat exhaustion, drink water and/or fruit juice, and cool the body with cold water and fans.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. As ever, proper preparation will reduce the risks of getting it. Even on a hot day in the mountains the weather can change rapidly, so carry waterproof garments, warm layers and a hat, and inform others of your route.
Hypothermia starts with shivering, loss of judgment and clumsiness. Without rewarming, the sufferer deteriorates into apathy, confusion and coma. Prevent further heat loss by seeking shelter, warm dry clothing, hot sweet drinks and shared body warmth.
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Language
CONTENTS
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Pronunciation
Making Conversation
Basic Words & Phrases
Days & Months
Numbers
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In 2003 the government introduced the Official Languages Act, whereby all official documents, street signs and official titles must be either in Irish (Gaeilge) or in both Irish and English. While Irish is the official language, it’s only spoken in isolated pockets of rural Ireland known as Gaeltachtaí, the main ones being Cork (Chorcaí), Donegal (Dhún na nGall), Galway (Gaillimhe), Kerry (Chiarraí) and Mayo (Mhaigh Eo).
Irish is a compulsory subject in schools for those aged six to 15, but Irish classes have traditionally been thoroughly academic and unimaginative, leading most kids to