Because of its position, which is easily accessible from both North America and continental Europe, Ireland has, for many decades, seen a significant increase in the number of tourists visiting the country. The organization of a first vacation to Ireland may be challenging, despite the country’s widespread appeal (and the fact that it is relatively compact). There is a lot of inaccurate information, information that is too complicated, and information that is trying to sell you something online that is about traveling to Ireland.
In the next section of our travel planner for Ireland, you’ll discover everything you need to know before you arrive in Dublin, including where (and when) to go, whether or not you need to hire a vehicle in Ireland, and which traditional Irish feast you must not miss for everything in the world.
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The Best Time to Visit Ireland
Ireland has weather that is, for the most part, mild throughout the year because of the jet stream that is located nearby. However, this does not always imply that a trip might be taken during any given month of the year. The summer months provide the longest hours of daylight and sunny days, and this is also the season in which you have the highest opportunity of experiencing true warmth. However, the peak season for tourism in Ireland is summer, which results in both increased pricing and heavier crowds at the country’s attractions.
You don’t have to go to the other extreme and visit Ireland during the winter, when the weather is gloomy but not too cold; instead, you may have a more cheap and exclusive experience by traveling to Ireland during its shoulder season, which is between the summer and the winter. The months of April, May, September, and October in Ireland are ideal times to visit since the weather is pleasant, there is a sufficient amount of daylight, and there are less visitors than during the summer months of June through August.
To Road Trip or Not to Road Trip?
The conventional wisdom and hundreds of Instagram pictures have led many people to believe that the only way to explore Ireland is by taking a road trip, but the reality is more nuanced. Even while owning a vehicle in Ireland makes it simple to go anywhere and whenever you like, it’s possible that using a mix of public transit and guided excursions is a more efficient way to go about the country given the plan you’ve laid up.
If you are not used to driving on the left side of the road, having a set of wheels with you could result in more confusion than convenience if you plan to concentrate your travels in cities such as Dublin, Galway, and Belfast, for instance. This is especially true if you are not used to driving on the left side of the road. In a similar vein, if you want to engage in Ireland’s unofficial favorite past-time (here’s a hint: it includes Guinness and Jameson), driving might endanger not just yourself but also the safety of other people on the road.
The Irish Breakfast Secret
The alcoholic drinks of Ireland are what brought the country’s cuisine its greatest notoriety, but the Emerald Isle also produces a great deal of mouthwatering food. The so-called “Irish Breakfast” is by far the most mouthwatering option.
The dinner may take many different forms, but it often consists of a feast of meat, eggs, potatoes, and vegetables that have been fried in the butter that is considered to be the most delectable in the world. Flavorful bread is offered alongside the meal so that it can be soaked up.
However, the Irish Breakfast offers more than simply a delicious dining experience. It is also possible that this will be the only meal you need to consume for the whole of your time spent in Ireland. Because it contains such a high number of calories (1,362 for a “full” Irish breakfast), it will be plenty to keep you going for the better part of the day. On the other hand, you are free to consume various types of Irish food, such as fresh Atlantic lobster or Irish stew, which is a traditional meal that often contains meat and potatoes.
A Sample Ireland Itinerary
Let’s say you have two weeks at your disposal, which is a very average amount of time for a road trip in Ireland. After spending two full days in Dublin, pick up a rental vehicle and travel in the direction of County Cork in the south of Ireland.
Kilkenny should be visited on the way into town, and Blarney should be visited on the way out. You have the choice of spending a second day in this area of Ireland (Cobh and Kinsale are two additional lovely sites), or you may continue traveling to the west to reach Killarney and the Ring of Kerry, where you should plan to stay for two nights.
The Wild Atlantic Way may be found in this picture-perfect region in the southwest corner of Ireland.
Not just the location of the world-famous Cliffs of Moher, but also the breathtakingly beautiful Dingle Peninsula and Skellig Michael Island (which was featured in the latest Star Wars films). If time is of the essence, you may cut the drive from Killarney to Galway down to one or two days and then make your way back across Ireland to Dublin. You might opt to continue north and east across the country’s coastline perimeter all the way to Donegal and Belfast if your timetable is somewhat more flexible. These two cities are located in Donegal and Belfast (in Northern Ireland).
Is Ireland Expensive?
Naturally, flexibility isn’t always a benefit in Ireland, and this is especially true if you plan on traveling there during the summertime. Because there are not as many hotels and B&Bs in Ireland as there should be, if you don’t book your accommodation in advance, there is a considerable risk that the location you end up staying will be of poor quality and expensive.
When compared to other countries in the European Union, Ireland’s economy is one of the weakest and most impoverished, which contributes to the country’s reputation as a rather costly tourism destination. Expect to spend at least 50 Euros per person, per day, and this is assuming that you will be staying in hostels, using public transportation, and will limit the amount of alcohol that you consume. If you want to take a road trip and stay in B&Bs, even the most basic ones, you should prepare for that number to more than double; more likely, it will be multiplied by an integer that is more than two.
The Bottom Line
Although Ireland is a popular tourist destination, getting across the country isn’t always simple. You may make sure that your first trip to Ireland is one for the record books by having a clear concept of where (and when) you want to go and how you want to travel, and by making a reasonable budget. However, the most essential thing is that this trip will not be your last journey to Ireland.
Author Bio:
Robert Schrader is a writer, photographer, and the founder of the renowned travel site Leave Your Daily Hell. On the blog, he talks about more than 80 different places, including Ireland. Keep up with him by following him on Facebook and Instagram.
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FAQs
How do I visit Ireland for the first time?
- Be aware that the money used in Northern Ireland is different from the currency used in Southern Ireland…
- Be aware that certain locations only communicate in the Gaelic language…
- Make new acquaintances. …
- When you are in need of assistance, don’t be scared to ask for it…
- Be ready for the weather to suddenly shift in a significant way…
- Have some familiarity with Irish lingo
How far in advance should I plan a trip to Ireland?
If you want to get the best price on flights to Ireland, you should try to make your reservations at least three months in advance (unless you come across an amazing offer very close to the departure date!).
How many days do you need to explore Ireland?
Dublin, the Rock of Cashel, Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, the Dingle Peninsula, and Northern Ireland can all be visited in the span of ten days, which is the perfect amount of time to spend seeing Ireland’s most famous attractions. This vacation is incredible, but you should be prepared for your days to be jam-packed with activities.
What month is best for Ireland?
The months of March through May and September through November are the greatest times to go to Ireland since it is not as congested during these months as it is during the summer, nor is it as chilly as it is during the winter. Having said that, Ireland has a temperature that is warm and temperate, and despite the fact that it rains on occasion, the country is accessible throughout the whole year.