Venues
See map for location of the venues.
Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel
Ormonde Street
Kilkenny
Ireland
Location - https://goo.gl/QUu2oZ
Events to take place at the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel:
- 15 October: Nodes Steering Group Meeting, Budget Committee Meeting, Science Committee Meeting, Executive Committee Meeting - 1
- 16 October: Governing Board Meeting - 1
- 17 October: Governing Board Meeting - 2, Executive Committee Meeting - 2, Concluding Meeting Reception
- 18 October: Public Symposium
- 19 October: Technical Workshop - 1
- 20 Ocotber: Technical Workshop - 2
The Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle
The Parade
Collegepark
Kilkenny
Ireland
Location - https://goo.gl/maps/XC9aUYwbvJ82
- 15 October: Icebreaker Event
Medieval Mile Museum
Saint Mary's Church
Saint Mary's Lane
Collegepark
Kilkenny
Ireland
Location - https://goo.gl/maps/dmztYnNuw5v
- 16 October: Conference Dinner
Hotels
The local organizers recommend one of the listed hotels for accommodation. For a limited time a number of rooms in each have been pre-booked for delegates. Please make your reservation in advance directly with the conference hotels by using the specific reservation codes. Booking for each of the listed accommodation options is to be completed via email or by calling those hotels directly. Contact details for each of the hotels have been provided for.
Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel
Ormonde Street
Kilkenny
Ireland
Location - https://goo.gl/QUu2oZ
- Rates: 14th-18th Oct: €85.00 per night for a double room / €75.00 for a single room
- Rates: 19th Oct: €105.00 per night for double room / €95.00 per night for a single room
- Booking: reservations@kilkennyormonde.com or contact the hotel at +00353567750200
- Booking code: GBIF – Group Reservation Number 357350
- Bookings should be made by Monday 3rd September 2018 at the latest to avail of corporate rate. Bookings made after this point will receive our best available rate at the time of booking.
Click here to download a copy of the hotel’s brochure.
Pembroke Hotel
Patrick Street
Kilkenny
Ireland
Location - https://goo.gl/maps/2PM9oMk5wNw
Rates:
- Rates: 13th Oct: €110.00 per person sharing / €210.00 per single
- Rates: 14th Oct – 18th Oct: €100.00 per double / €90.00 per single
- Rates: 19th Oct: €160.00 per double / €150.00 per single
- Booking: Email the hotel at reservations@pembrokekilkenny.com or contact the hotel at +00353561183500
- Booking code: GBIF
- Bookings should be made by 31st August at the latest
Click here to download a copy of the hotel’s accommodation offer which includes information on additional offers and sample food menus.
Kilkenny Hibernian Hotel
1 Ormonde Street
Kilkenny
Ireland
Location - https://goo.gl/maps/vgVHL3DSiwj
- Rates: 14th Oct – 18th Oct: €90.00 per double / €80.00 per single
- Rates: 19th Oct: €160.00 per double / €150.00 per single
- Booking: reservations@kilkennyhibernianhotel.com or contact the hotel at +353567771888
- Booking code: GBIF
- Bookings should be made by Friday 14th September at the latest
Langton House Hotel
69 John Street
Kilkenny
Ireland
Location - https://goo.gl/maps/MmLtovmnngQ2
- Rates: 14th – 17th Oct: €90.00 per double / €50.00 per single
- Booking: reservations@langtons.ie or +00353567765133
- Booking code: GBIF
- Bookings should be made by 31st August at the latest
For other accommodation options (hotels, bed & breakfast, and hostels etc.), take a look at www.visitkilkenny.ie
Check the map for hotel locations.
Map
Click on the map image to open in full screen view.
Getting to Kilkenny
Directly from Dublin Airport - Bus
Bus is the most convenient means of public transport between Dublin Airport and Kilkenny City. The journey time is approximately 135 – 150 minutes.
The bus company servicing this route is J.J. Kavanagh & Sons, and a single ticket will cost you €15.00 (return: €30.00) when you buy them online. It is recommended that you purchase your bus tickets in advance here: http://jjkavanagh.ie/dublin-airport-buses.
Note: Please book your ticket travelling from Dublin Airport to Kilkenny (Ormonde Street).
The Bus departs from Dublin Airport at Bus Stop 13 (Zone 14) Clonmel Service.
Download your bus timetable here, and your Dublin Airport map here.
Getting around in Kilkenny
Thankfully all venues and accommodation options are within short walking distance of one another so getting around shouldn’t be a problem.
However, if you are in need of some form of transport to get around other than walking, here are some options:
Taxi
There are several taxi companies operating in Kilkenny City. Here are a few should you ever need to contact one:
- Sevens Taxi Kilkenny. Call the following number to book: +00353567777777
- Ray Cabs Taxi Service. Call the following number to book: +00353868882777
- Martin Butler Kilkenny Taxis. Call the following number to book: +00353877777677
Bike
If you wish to rent a bike in Kilkenny City, there is a bike hire service available in the town at a rate of €20.00 per day. Helmets, bike locks, high-visibility jackets and detailed maps are provided.
To book your rental visit https://kilkennycyclingtours.com/rentals/.
Travel requirements for entering Ireland
GB25 participants are responsible for preparing their own travel documentation requirements for entering Ireland.
Visa
The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) is the organisation responsible for visa services in Ireland. Visit their website www.inis.gov.ie if you wish to check whether you require a visa or not to travel to Ireland. If so, the minimum requirements will need to be met. That includes:
- An application letter
- This outlines why you want to travel, how the conference relates to your employment, and on what dates you will travel
- A letter from GBIF
- This describes what the conference is, confirms that you are registered to attend, and outlines who is paying for the cost of the trip
- Please contact us by email should you require this letter: GB25@gbif.org
- A letter from your employer
- This should state that you are travelling on their behalf, how long you will be away and what date you will return to work
- Proof of your hotel booking for the dates of the trip
- Your current passport and copies of any expired passports
- 6 month’s bank statements, issued within 2 weeks of the visa application
- If you have ever been refused a visa, or if you have been refused entry to any country, you must include a copy of the refusal letter with your application and declare it on your application form. Failure to declare this is an automatic reason for refusal.
It is paramount that all applicants submit their visa applications at least 8 weeks before the date you are due to travel to Ireland.
Note: A Schengen visa or UK visa is not valid for travel to Ireland. See more information on visa requirements and travel documents from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: https://www.dfa.ie/travel/visas/visas-for-ireland/.
Insurance
Participants are advised to ensure appropriate travel insurance for travel to Ireland.
General travel information
Electricity
In Ireland the power sockets are of type G. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Language
Ireland has two official languages, English and Irish (Gaeilge / Gaelic).
Money
The unit of currency in Ireland is euro (€).
Money can be exchanged at Dublin Airport. This service is provided by ICE (International Currency Exchange) Bureau de Change throughout Dublin Airport. The outlets are located in both of Dublin Airport’s two terminals.
- Terminal 1 – Arrivals Hall: 05:30hrs – 00.00hrs
- Terminal 1 – Baggage Hall: 07:00hrs – 19:00hrs
- Terminal 2: - Baggage Hall: 04:30hrs – 22:30hrs
There are a number of ATMs throughout Terminal 1 & Terminal 2, both before and after security screening. Major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted in Ireland.
Health
Pharmacies
White’s Pharmacy
5 High Street
Kilkenny
+003537721328Monday – Saturday: 09:00hrs – 18:00hrs
Sunday: Closed
Haven Pharmacy
89 High Street
Collegepark
Kilkenny
+00353567721309Monday – Saturday: 09:00hrs – 18:00hrs
Sunday: Closed
O’Shea’s Pharmacy
Unit 4
Market Yard
Kilkenny
+00353567751445Monday – Wednesday: 09:00hrs – 18:00hrs
Thursday – Friday: 09:00hrs – 21:00hrs
Saturday: 09:00hrs – 18:00hrs
Sunday: closed
Smoking is prohibited in any enclosed public places, restaurants, pubs and public transport.
The level of hygiene is very high and tap water is perfectly drinkable.
Personal security
Kilkenny is generally a very safe town. Pickpockets may be a risk but the rate of theft is more than likely lower than typical major cities.
In Ireland, we have two emergency numbers, 999 and 112. 112 or 999 should only be called when there is a risk to life or property, where there is a crime being committed or the prospect of a crime being committed and when a person feels their personal safety is being threatened.
For information on how to use these numbers and what to expect when you do please go to: www.112.ie.
An Garda Síochána is the national police force. It has responsibility for carrying out all policing duties in the state.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility for the delivery of public emergency health services.
Telecommunication and internet (mobile phone networks, internet services)
The main network providers are Three, Vodafone and eir.
For more information please visit: http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Ireland.
The Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel provides WiFi for users, as does most other accommodations.
Opening hours
Shops and department stores are generally open between 08:30hrs and 18:00hrs, Monday to Saturday. Many shops are closed on Sunday. Banks are generally open between 09:00hrs and 16:00hrs, Monday to Friday.
Tips and service gratuities
Tips are not expected and with regards to restaurants the service generally included. Feel free to tip if you feel you have received excellent service.
Weather
Ireland’s location on the western edge of the European continent in the path of moist Atlantic air and the moderating effect of the Gulf Stream ensure that the island is rarely very hot or very cold. The average October temperature in Kilkenny is a mild 10 degree Celsius.
It must be noted that Ireland’s weather is quite changeable, so delegates should not be surprised if it rains. However long bouts of rain are quite rare.
It is advisable to check the weather forecasts close to departure: https://www.met.ie
Tourist information
Visit this website produced by Kilkenny County Council for more information on tourism in the area: http://www.visitkilkenny.ie
Other tourism websites for Ireland include:
• Tourism Ireland: http://www.ireland.com
• Discover Ireland: http://www.discoverireland.ie
• Fáilte Ireland: http://www.failteireland.ie