Entry requirements: Visas are not necessary for business and holiday trips.

Clothing: Because the climate is cool and damp, medium- to heavy-weight clothing is worn most of the year.

Health: Ireland has competent specialists in all fields of medicine and dentistry. Community sanitation is generally good; tapwater is potable.

Telecommunications: Telephone and other telecommunications services are good. Dublin is five standard time zones ahead of eastern standard time. Daylight saving time is observed at about the same time in Ireland as the eastern US.

Transportation: Regular flights leave the US for Dublin via Shannon or London. Excellent direct commercial services exist between Dublin, some smaller Irish cities, and most other major European cities.

Holidays: New Year's Day, St. Patrick's Day (March 17), Easter Monday, Christmas Day, St. Stephen's Day (December 26), and bank holiday Mondays in early June, early August, and late 0ctober.

Further information: Irish Tourist Board, 757 Third Ave., New York, NY 10017 (tel. 212-418-0800).

Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs, September 1988.