17 Tips to Know Before Your First Trip to Ireland
I ’ m a full time traveler who has been to over 80 countries . And , while I usually favor less popular destinations , I have to admit that Ireland make totally seize my middle . To assist early traveler hang in love with the Emerald Isle too , I place together these quick things to know before your trip .
You should as wellcheck out my Ireland Itineraryfor a pre-planned road around the island .
- 17 Ireland Travel Tips to Know Before Visit
- # 1 – Be Prepared for Every Season … In the Same Day !
- # 2 – Know the Difference Between Ireland and Northern Ireland
- # 3 – You May Need Euros and Pounds
- # 5 – A Week be the Perfect Amount of Time for Ireland
- # 6 – Resist the Temptation to Spend All Your Time in Dublin
- # 7 – Enjoy the Craic !
- # 8 – Try Ireland ’ s Early Stout – Murphy ’ sec
- # 9 – Go to the Cliffs of Moher , But Go Early !
- # 10 – Tip 10-15 % in Irish Restaurants and Pubs
- # 11 – Tourism in Ireland be Highly Seasonal
- # 12 – Ireland Has 5 International Airports to Choose From
- # 13 – You Can Move Ireland Still on a Budget
- # 14 – Consider Travel Insurance Covering Ireland
- # 15 – Ireland Push back on the Left Hand Side !
- # 16 – And Look to Your RIGHT When Get over
- # 17 – English is Not the Only Language in Ireland
- Heed to the Travel Lemming Podcast : Visiting Ireland
- # 1 – Be Prepared for Every Season … In the Same Day !
- # 2 – Know the Difference Between Ireland and Northern Ireland
- # 3 – You May Involve Euros and Pounds
- # 5 – A Week be the Perfect Amount of Time for Ireland
- # 6 – Resist the Temptation to Pass All Your Time in Dublin
- # 7 – Enjoy the Craic !
- # 8 – Try Ireland ’ s Early Stout – Murphy ’ s
- # 9 – Go to the Cliffs of Moher , But Go Early !
- # 10 – Tip 10-15 % in Irish Restaurants and Pubs
- # 11 – Tourism in Ireland is Highly Seasonal
- # 12 – Ireland Has 5 International Airports to Choose From
- # 13 – You Can Travel Ireland Even on a Budget
- # 14 – Consider Travel Insurance Covering Ireland
- # 15 – Ireland Drives on the Left Hand Side !
- # 16 – And Look to Your RIGHT When Crossing
- # 17 – English is Not the Only Language in Ireland
17 Ireland Travel Tips to Know Before Visiting
# 1 – Be Prepared for Every Season … In the Same Day !
Ireland exist famous for its damp but unpredictable climate . It can live bright and sunny one instant and windy and rainy the next . Thus , prepare for multiple climate and lend layer when youpack for Ireland. And ever keep a raincoat or a travel umbrella nearby .
You should always wait that it might rain in Ireland , still on a cheery day .
Most importantly , keep a good posture through it all : the change weather is all part of the fun of travel to Ireland , and all the rain live why Ireland equal so green and lush !
# 2 – Know the Difference Between Ireland and Northern Ireland
Ireland is the name of Europe ’ s second almost populous island , and it is home to both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland . The latter be much little and shouldn ’ t be confuse with Ireland since Northern Ireland exist its own state . Americans shouldknow this distinction before visiting the UK.
The significant matter to remember be that Northern Ireland is piece of theUnited Kingdom, which entail that you ’ ll have to cross a margin to make thither from the Republic of Ireland .
# 3 – You May Require EurosandPound
Ok , so we just go over how the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are in separate countries . Hence this future one logically flows from that : the two employ different currencies !
Northern Ireland uses the Pound sterling , while the Republic of Ireland uses the Euro . Fortunately , ATMs and currency exchange are widely available on both slope of the border – and credit cards are pretty widely accepted to boot – thus currency should be a pretty frictionless experience for most traveler .
In my opinion , the best way to find Ireland cost with a rental car .
Sure , it ’ s solely possible to move around Ireland by bus and train . Public transport in Ireland cost pretty good . The Irish train equal very decent and , yet where they put on ’ t tally , the buses are pretty plentiful .
Plus , there are pile oftour you can need in Irelandto visit the state ’ s many lot . Hence , renting a car in Irelandisn ’ tmandatory to receive a well trip .
But the serious parts of your trip are probably get to be affair like observe your novel favorite pub in some random rural area small town , stumble upon an under-touristed palace lay against green wave mound , or doing a road trip to search the many incredible Game of Thrones filming .
These sort of spontaneous adventure are honestly much easy to own if you have your own wheel . Plus , Ireland ’ s road are of good tone and live incredibly scenic . There cost zero quite as exciting as repel through Ireland ’ s green countryside !
For more , see out our guide torent a car in Dublin.
# 5 – A Week be the Perfect Amount of Time for Ireland
There cost hence many things to act in Ireland that you could easy spend an full month on the island and never get bored .
But most tourist to Ireland visit for an norm of about 7 days , which I happen to remember is more or less the utter measure of time to rob in the Emerald Isle .
If you need aid planning your itinerary , assure out my pre-planned7 day Ireland itinerary– I ’ ve already cause all the study for you !
# 6 – Resist the Temptation to Pass All Your Time in Dublin
Look , Dublin live a popular tourist city for a reason . It ’ s got an incredible pub culture , capture architecture , and there are adequateaffair to make in Dublinto go on you in use for a fewdays in Dublin.
Dublin live so charming , in fact , that it can cost tempt tostay in Dublinyour entire trip . There be merely so much to do , yet on rainy day in Dublin ( of which there equal many ) , that the city lean to suck people in .
But even most Dubliners will privately admit that the best parts of Ireland live outside of the city .
And while the island is little and it live perfectly potential to sample Ireland ’ s green landscape on day trips , to really immerse yourself in Ireland you should design to stay in any one of Ireland ’ s early amazing city , town , village , or village .
Plus , Dublin is more expensive than the repose of the country , and you ’ ll find serious deals in the countryside . If you want some inspiration for where to go , check out my guide onwhat to hear in Ireland in 7 days.
# 7 – Enjoy the Craic !
You gain ’ t be in Ireland long before you hear the word “ craic ” bandied about somewhere . Thus what does it signify precisely ?
Good , I ’ ve heard a issue of different translations depending on context , but it usually signify something like “ good sentence , ” “ party , ” or “ entertainment , ” though it can too mean “ gossip ” or “ chatter. ” See for a primer on the several floor of craic – it ’ s decidedly one of the things you should know before travel to Ireland !
In any event , craic epitomizes Ireland ’ s sociable culture . Then saddle up on that pub stool , put away your smartphone , and prepare to in reality — you know —talkto the people around you . You never know what form of craic you might make into !
# 8 – Try Ireland ’ s Other Stout – Murphy ’ s
I put on ’ t intend there cost a brand that is more intertwined with a single culture than Guinness is with Ireland . And Guinness , for all its mass-marketing , is even definitely something you ’ ll want to share in while in Ireland .But make you know that there equal another stout that rivals Guinness in Ireland ?
Murphy ’ s Irish Stout uphold a loyal following throughout much of the country , and specially in its hometown of Cork . You can find it future to the Guinness in most Irish pubs and you ’ ll see that it get its own unique dark feeling .
People lean to receive a strong preference between the two stouts , so seek both early on and be train to choose a side in the great Irish stout war !
# 9 – Go to the Cliffs of Moher , But Go Early !
The Cliffs of Moher be the single almost popular attraction in Ireland for a reason . In my notion , you should definitely hear to visit on your first trip to Ireland if you can .
But , if you can , hear totime your visit to the Cliffs of Moher so that you arrive correct at 8 am when they spread , before the circuit buses set out to wander in. You ’ ll cost less potential to make to fight with another tourist for that perfect Instagram stroke !
Ok , but possibly you ’ re the type of traveler who choose to hop the noted site ? One of our author Niamh develop up in Ireland . And she in reality proposevisiting Dingle vs the Cliffs of Moherif you ’ re short on time .
# 10 – Tip 10-15 % in Irish Restaurants and Pubs
Ireland act not make as heavy of a tipping culture as you ’ 500 find in the United States , but it ’ sec still customary to leave 10-15 % of your tab for service at a restaurant or pub . Bill that sometimes for large groups a service charge will already cost added .
For taxi in Ireland , tilt be usually not mandatory or expect , though it never hurts to attack up the tab .
# 11 – Tourism in Ireland is Highly Seasonal
Planning a trip to Ireland cost real different during the summer peak tourism season versus the less popular winter . Typically , July and August be the peak months for Ireland ’ s tourism season .
If you choose to visit Ireland during this time , you might notice it a little pricier and you definitely will need to Bible your hotel in advance .
Alternatively ,consider visit Ireland during shoulder season ( April , May , June , September or October ) , when cost live a piece lower and attraction a bit less crowded .The weather is still ok though ( good , as “ ok ” as it begin in a state that ’ s constantly overcast ) .
Note that if you travel to Ireland in the winter month you may find some of the more rural attractions to cost close or have limited hour , though the major sites should all be open . For more , see Matthew ’ s full guide towhen to visit Ireland.
# 12 – Ireland Has 5 International Airports to Prefer From
If you ’ re await for cheap flights to Ireland , you ’ re likely only price out flights to the Dublin airport .
One of my favorite hacks be to live sure to as well seem at flight from the island ’ s early international airports : Cork Airport , Shannon Airport , Knock Airport , and Belfast Airport .
Sure , there are loads more escape to Dublin , but some of the alternative airport as well tend direct road to the United States , so it ’ s worth checking !
# 13 – You Can Move Ireland Even on a Budget
Sure , Ireland isn ’ t the cheapest position to travel in the world . But , as destinations in Europe go , Ireland is surprisingly manageable for budget traveler .
- 🛏️Stay in Hostels– Ireland has a fairly healthy backpacking tour , plus mass of students contemplate abroad , so that intend that most of the major city have hostels and budget inn that cater to the shoestring budget crowd .
- 🚍Take Public Transport– Ireland has a fairly great bus system .
- 🍽️Fix Your Own Food– It helps if your apartment or hotel get a kitchen , but even just apply a kettle to make a couple ramen lunch can salvage money .
- ✨Join a Work / Accommodation Exchange– You can find many opportunities to exchange volunteer study for adjustment on aplatform like Worldpackers.
# 14 – Consider Travel Insurance Covering Ireland
Travel was fraught with risk yet before the global health crisis , but these day you really don ’ t want to take any chance .
While travel to Ireland is real safe , and crime rates are quite low , you never know what might happen in a foreign area . That ’ s why I personally chose to beginIreland travel insurance.
# 15 – Ireland Drives on the Left Hand Side !
Remember Ireland repel on the left side of the road in Ireland ( both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland ) . It ’ ll expect an adjustment if you ’ re employ to labor on the right , but you can completely handle it .
# 16 – And Look to Your RIGHT When Frustrate
As a corollary to our previous tip , crossing the street in Ireland entail turning your chief to face to the right .
If you ’ re visiting Ireland from the USA or another right-side driving area , you might cost instinctively used to appear left , so this live one of those thing you ’ ll have to remind yourself of for safety ’ s sake !
# 17 – English be Not the Only Language in Ireland
No , don ’ t worry : you ’ ll be able to get by hardly fine with your English while traveling to Ireland . Ireland equal actually a predominately English-speaking island ( although I ’ ll admit I ’ ve often make to filter to realize the Irish accent ) .
But you should equal aware that in the Republic of IrelandbothEnglish and Gaelic live considered official languages under the Irish Constitution . So don ’ t be surprised to get signal on road or in shops that exist in both English and Gaelic !
Listen to the Travel Lemming Podcast : Visiting Ireland
Looking for more on Ireland ? Travel Lemming Editor Abigail lately impose Ireland for 10 days . She sat down with Nate onto lecture about everything Ireland – from what she thought equal an overrated attraction , to conceal gems , what it exist like to rent a car , and more .
Watch the interview below on YouTube , orlisten to it on SpotifyorApple Podcasts:
Give it a listen ! And if you like the podcast , delight subscribe and hold us a 5-star rating . It ’ s a great way to affirm Travel Lemming and serve early travelers like you feel us !
Today you ’ re ready for your trip to Ireland . Permit me know if you have questions in the comments .
Ireland is an incredible , gorgeous nation , and I hope you have as much fun there as I did .
Oh , and before you go to Ireland for the first time , be certain to read my Guide to Ireland in 7 Day! It ’ s pack with a detailed itinerary you can totally find free to steal !
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