Can I Use My American iPhone?
Yes, but you will have to arrange for it with your cell service carrier before you go. Verizon has a deal in which you can get unlimited voice and data for about twelve dollars a day, and you’re only charged for the days you use it.
Fair warning: Service at the house currently is, shall we say, “quaint,” and while there is wifi internet at the house, it’s probably not going to be great for more than a few people at a time. It’s a rural area that’s served by 5G, but we are working on getting broadband to the house. We use WhatsApp for calls; the wifi connection is better than the cell service.
There are USB outlets in the house that you can plug your phone into to recharge it.
Calling Irish Numbers From Your American Phone
Calling Irish numbers on your American phone is the same whether you’re in Ireland or in America. Dial the code for international calls (011 or + where to get the + you sign hold down the 0 until the + appears), then dial the country’s code (353 for Ireland), then the phone number proper, omitting any leading 0.
- For example, to call the Bellbridge, listed as “+353 65 708 4038” dial: +353 65 708 4038
- To call Tubridy’s, listed as “(065) 905 5041”, dial: +353 65 905 5041
There is a full guide to international calls at this link.
Electrical Appliances and Devices
In order to plug your laptop’s power supply into the Irish-style electrical outlets, you will need to use an outlet adapter. We have a few in the kitchen. Because the Irish electrical grid works on a much higher voltage than in the US, there are switches on the outlets themselves that turn them on and off. If your device isn’t charging, check that the outlet hasn’t been turned off.
American laptop power supplies come with their own transformers for stepping down the voltage, but high-draw appliances like hairdryers and curling irons do not. You will melt them if you plug them in via an adapter. Don’t use American electrical devices or appliances.
There is one Irish hairdryer and one Irish curling iron at the house. The supermarket in Miltown Malbay will usually have one or two on hand to purchase.
Paying for Things in Ireland
- The usual means for paying the bill at pubs and cafes is tapping your card to a hand-held reader the wait staff or bartender brings to you.
- If you want to leave a tip on your card you will have to let them know how much (10% or so) to add before you tap your card (this is why having a few euro coins or small bills on hand is nice).
- When paying with a credit card, always pay in euros rather than dollars if asked.
- Almost everything is paid with a card, but you’ll still want to have euros on hand to tip, for tolls, and for some small shops.
- The nearest ATM is the AIB bank in Ennistymon.
- There’s a more extensive guide to cash and cashless transactions at this link.
Hillcrest 