An Ireland Travel Guide
Planning a trip to the Emerald Isle? This Ireland travel guide will have you covered with travel tips, packing guides, Ireland itineraries, and more!
Located in Western Europe, Ireland is an Island located in the Atlantic just west of the United Kingdom. Nearby countries include England, Scotland, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Ireland Travel Guide tip: Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom, and it is said many Irish are still sour about it. If you plan on crossing the border into Northern Ireland, you will notice everything changes from the Euro to the British Pound.
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Ireland Travel Guide Tips
Before traveling to Ireland, here are some Ireland travel tips to know, including some helpful information to know about Ireland, popular cities, traditional food, safety, and more!
Ireland Population
5.028M
Dublin Population
544,107
Popular places in Ireland
Dublin, Galway, Cork, Killarney, and Belfast.
Language
The predominant language in Ireland is English, but some people still speak Gaeilge.
Credit Cards/ATM
Credit cards are widely accepted in Ireland, however, having some cash on hand is needed for taking the bus and tips. Major banks you can find in Ireland include Allied Irish Bank (AIB), The Bank of Ireland, CitiBank, and Ulster Bank.
Currency
Ireland uses Euros, except in Northern Ireland, where the British Pound is needed.
Airport:
Ireland has five international airports and many much smaller airports. The popular airports are Dublin Airport, Cork Airport, Shannon Airport, Knock Airport, and Belfast Airport. Find flights here.
Ireland Safety
Ireland is, for the most part, a safe place to visit. However, you should take regular precautions to avoid pickpocketing, especially in busier locations.
Cell service in Ireland
In Ireland, you should have access to 3G, 4G, and 4.5G. It is unlikely that you will have difficulties finding service or Wi-Fi in Ireland as most restaurants and cafés will have an internet connection you can use.
If you are traveling Internationally, you can use an e-sim. By using an e-sim, you won’t have to worry about finding a sim card when you get to your destination. We used Holafly Esim in Ireland, and it worked great. Get an Esim for Ireland here.
Power Outlets
In Ireland, you will need Plug type G, which is the three-pin plug. The voltage should be at 230V and 50HZ. This is the Travel Converter I use that works across the Globe.
Getting Around Ireland
Ireland is a small island which makes getting from one place to another fairly easy. Driving a car will allow you to travel from each place quickly, and depending on the length of your stay, it may be cheaper than paying for bus fares.
However, Ireland drives on the left side of the road, which is opposite from the USA and other European countries. If you don’t feel comfortable driving, you can also easily get around Ireland using their bus, train, and taxi services. This country is very well connected.
Finding Accommodation in Ireland
Ireland has a variety of hotels and B & B’s that you can choose from. You can find highly-rated accommodations throughout Ireland on Bookingdotcom, which is what I use for all my trips.
Traditional Dishes Across Ireland:
Soda Bread – A traditional family bread that can be served in a variety of ways but usually includes oats, seeds, or dried fruits.
Irish Stew – Stew that consists of hearty vegetables like carrots, potatoes, onions, and more!
Colcannon and Champ – Potatoes mashed with cabbage, kale, and other vegetables.
Can’t forget to add a Guinness beer to everything!
Tipping is not required in Ireland however it is suggested to add a couple of Euros.
Books About Ireland
Lonely Planet Ireland 15 | Fodor’s Essential Ireland: with Belfast and Northern Ireland |
Weather In Ireland
Ireland experiences the full spectrum of the seasons and can change month by month. Preparing for Ireland’s weather is very important before visiting. This is Ireland, so always plan for rain.
March to May are the months of Spring in Ireland, and during these months, the weather is cooler in the mornings and evenings but warmer during the day. The average springtime temperature is 46°F (7°C) to 54°F (12°C).
June and August are Ireland’s summer months however the temperature is relatively cooler compared to most places in the US during summertime. Sometimes there may be a few days that have much hotter weather. The average temperature is around 63°F (17°C) however, it has been known to rise to 77°F (25°C). During this time, Ireland tends to have the least amount of rain.
The months of fall are September to November, and the weather becomes cooler with cloudy and rainy weather. We visited in September and had no rain. You can say the luck of the Irish was with us!
And although it can be quite wet weather, fall in Ireland remains a stunning time to visit as the wildfire and fall colors really begin to appear. The average temperature is around. 50°F (10°C) to 57°F (14°C).
During winter, snowfall is rare and will only fall for a few days a year; however, you will experience cold weather if you visit from December to February. The average temperature ranges from 40°F (5°C) to 46°F (8°C).
Ireland Travel Guides
Find travel guides to get more in-depth information on planning your Ireland vacation.
Popular Things to do in Ireland
Ireland is a stunning country to visit, full of stunning landscapes, history, and castles. Enjoy an Irish road trip, or hop around the small town and cities to really embrace all that Ireland has to offer!
- Visiting Castles
- Hiking in the Wicklow Mountains
- Driving the Wild Atlantic Way
- Taking an Irish Whiskey tour
- Drinking a lot of Guinness
- Enjoy live music and dance at a local Irish pub
- See a Sheepdog Demonstration
You can find Ireland tours and day trips here!
