Ireland is one of my favorite places to visit. The scenery is beautiful, we loved the history, and my favorite part of Ireland – the people. The Irish culture is so welcoming, fun and friendly. We met new people every day and just had such a wonderful time.
Ireland is an island nation in North West Europe. Ireland is it’s own country and part of the EU. Northern Ireland is part of the UK. Both areas share a beautiful landscape, culture, and complicated history. Neither is part of the Schengen area so the dates you stay in Ireland do not count against your 90 days in Europe. As a US citizen you can stay up to 90 days in Ireland and 90 days in the UK.
When to Visit
Summer has the best weather but be very crowded. Winter is likely too cold unless you’re more interested in snuggling in front of the fire or hanging out at the pubs. I’d aim for late spring or late summer. We went in March. Some years March is good – we had some fairly cold days but also some good ones.
Weather in Ireland
Weather in Ireland can change very quickly. Expect drizzly days with some really nice ones. Be prepared for frequent changes in weather. Although the weather changes often it’s not generally dramatic and is considered pretty mild.
We happened to be in Ireland for the biggest snow storm in 20 years – “the beast from the east.” We really enjoyed the 6 inches of snow and made a fabulous snow man. It was a lot of fun. Since we live in Colorado 6 inches wasn’t enough to slow us down but we enjoyed how much everyone else got excited about it.
What to Wear
What to wear in Ireland – Layers, Layers, Layers. I’d start with some comfy base layers, simple middle layer and pull-overs. A thin rain coat will also come in handy. Wool jackets and sweaters are also really nice if you’re not there in the summer. Buy them in Ireland for a great souvenir. Local Irish shops make beautiful products. I bought my favorite wool sweater in a second hand store for $8 – score. I love it and it’s still my favorite jacket. Comfortable walking shoes that can get wet are also a must. Consider packing a good pair of hiking boots.
Where to Stay
Ireland has a wide variety of accommodations. Choose a hotel, bed and breakfast or even a castle. The internet is full of resources for a great stay. Package tours are also available. We stayed at a very nice AirBnB near Killorglin for 3 weeks then an old school house in Ballyhack for 3 weeks. Both places were wonderful.
How to get Around
Flying in to Dublin is usually the most economical and it’s also convenient. Prices can be very affordable. I look for trips from the major airports for the best deals than find local carriers in country.
Once you’re in Ireland the most common way to get around is by car. You will be driving on the left side of the road. It takes a little getting used to (especially the round-abouts) but we found we picked it up quickly. The rental process was pretty straight forward and worked well.
Train is also another great option. Trains take about 3 hours from Dublin to the popular town of Killarney. The train station in Killarney is convenient and you can easily see most of the sites by bike and other transportation
What to Do in Ireland
1) Go for a scenic drive
Ireland has some of the most scenic drives in the world. From the Wild Atlantic Way (including the Dingle Peninsula and Ring of Kerry) to the Ancient East (and Hook Head Peninsula) Ireland’s scenery and coast lines are breath-taking. The more popular routes can be full of tour buses in the summer. Less popular routes can be more intimate and give a better experience.
2) Discover some History
Ireland is full of castles, medieval towns, and pre-historic structures. Historic gems dot every area of Ireland. Some are restored. Others are romantically crumbling.
3) Go Hiking or Biking
Ireland has some great hiking and biking. It’s not hard to find a wonderful trail.
4) Find a local Pub
Meet some new people, enjoy a beer and some good music.
5) Explore an Irish Town
Ireland is full of great towns with lots of personality. Feel free to explore.
6) Meet the Neighbors
People in Ireland are very friendly and easy to talk to. We also really loved all of the sheep. We had a herd across the street from our AirBnB and they were so much fun.
7) Go Shopping
Ireland has many unique goods. The wool is my favorite. There’s also lace, knitting and many other fabulous products.
Where to Go
Southwest
Southwest Ireland is the most popular spot to start an Irish vacation. It’s full of charm, great road trips and wonderful towns. The Wild Atlantic Way along the coast is arguably one of the most photogenic coast-lines in the world. We spent our time near Killarney and our favorite road trip was along the Dingle Peninsula.
Dubin
Most Irish trips start and end in Dublin. This is a friendly city with a lot to do
Ancient East
This area in Southeast Ireland is full of historic towns, stone pastures and beautiful castles. It’s a quiet part of Ireland with a completely different feel. We really enjoyed Hook Head Peninsula, Waterford, the Copper Coast and Kilkenney.
Cork
Cork is a great place to base yourself as part of any visit to Ireland. It has everything from classic castles like Blarney Castle to beautiful oceanside towns like Cobh and the charming Cork city. Cork city is very central for visiting nearby sights with good rail and bus connections. Cork is a bit more compact than Dublin for walking and has an easier going pace, with fewer tourists.
Some of my Favorite Photos from Ireland
