Ireland travel tips: everything you need to know before you go! The Emerald Isle is split into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland that is part of the UK. This guide will encompass both countries, because both are amazing! Below you will find:
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The Best Time to Visit Ireland
Peak season is directly related to the drier season in Ireland which is considered June, July and August.
- This is when the weather is really ideal.
However, if your goal is to avoid the crowds of peak season, the best time to visit is between March and May or between September and November.
- The weather and rain will be a little unpredictable in Ireland during these time periods, but the crowds will definitely be more manageable.
We visited in March to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. Highly recommend that, too, if you are up for it!
Weather on the Emerald Isle
Windy. The first thing that comes to mind is the wind! Second to that is the frequent rain showers.
Rain: Even if you travel during the “dry” season, I would expect a few rain drops to occur sometime on your trip.
Temperatures: In general, the temperatures are mild and are rarely extreme in Irelands since it is an island (except maybe inland during the winter).
- The hottest months are July and August with the average daily highs between 60 and 70 degrees F (rarely exceeding 70 degrees F)
- The coldest months are January and February where the mean daily temps in the upper 30’s or lower 40’s.
With Ireland being an island, the weather can be unpredictable. Check the weather before you go and pack layers!
Essentials to Pack for Ireland
It’s hard to tell you everything you need to pack for Ireland, but some things are going to be pretty important in order to keep yourself dry and not miserable. Ireland travel tip: As I mentioned, you’ll probably experience rain and/or wind at least once on your trip, so pack essentials to keep you dry and windproof!
- Rain jacket
- In the drier season (summer: June, July, August), you will likely only need a lightweight rain jacket
- In the wetter season (winter: December, January, February), you will need a thick and insulated rain jacket
- Waterproof/weatherproof Shoes
- Lightweight, waterproof hiking boots if you plan to do outdoor activities. Something more like a Sperry boot will suffice if you don’t plan to hike.
- If the weather is mild when you are traveling (summer), try the waterproof tennis shoe option.
- Beanie, scarf, gloves
- Even if you are visiting during the summertime in Ireland, it’s a good idea to pack at least one of each of these. The high in the warmest months are usually in the 60’s and the lows in the 50’s. At night, with wind gusts, you never know how cold it may feel. Be prepared!
- A base layers
- This can be thermals pants/shirts, fleece-lined leggings, etc but the wind can be brutal and that wind can pierce a pair of blue jeans and make you miserable quickly.
- These may not be essential in the summer, but I recommend packing them for all other months. With the combination of wind, mild temperatures and intermittent rain, a base layer can be your saving grace!
- Moisture-wicking Socks
- As mentioned before, it rains a lot, and wet feet are the worst. Get moisture-wicking socks to help keep your feet dry and warm!
- Umbrella
- An umbrella is useful when walking around, site-seeing in the cities. However, know that the wind can be OUTRAGEOUS, especially along the Wild Atlantic Way and the west coast of Ireland. Leave the umbrella; your rain jacket will be your best friend
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What Currency to Use?
Be aware! The Emerald Isle has two different currencies.
- Ireland uses the Euro while Northern Ireland adopted the pound when joining the UK.
- If you are a cash person, it is in your best interest to have some of both. Many places accept credit card now, but know that if you are just buying drinks or leaving a tip, have some cash.
On the topic of tipping, tipping is expected in restaurants and following a tour guide. 10-15% is generally an acceptable amount. Look to see if it has already been added to your restaurant bill first, though.
Ireland Travel Tips: Accommodations
There is no one good answer for the best type of accommodation to stay in Ireland. Compare prices between VRBO’s and hotels and choose the cheapest 👍🏼 Booking.com usually gives you different options for both to compare; hotel, apartments, etc.
Click here for recommendations on finding cheap accommodations!
Transportation: How to Get Around Ireland?
For the BEST trip and ability to see everything Ireland and Northern Ireland have to offer, rent a car! There is a lot of vast landscape and places to see that are most easily accessed by driving yourself.
There is a railway system that connect the main cities. However, a lot of best sites in Ireland are outside of the main cities and will require car or bus to navigate.
- For example, you can train to Killarney, but no train travels the Wild Atlantic Way. Therefore, you will need to take a bus tour or drive yourself around the coastline.
If you do rent a car, remember you will be driving from the right side of the car on the left side of the road!
Need a Great Ireland Itinerary?
Looking at a map, you’ll find most of the biggest towns are along the coast of Ireland. To see the most of Ireland, I recommend an itinerary that circumnavigates the island! If you start in Dublin, I recommend driving south to see places like Kilkenny, Killarney and the Wilt Atlantic Way. Then drive north to Galway and the Cliffs of Moher before making your way to Northern Ireland to see Londonderry/Derry, Giant’s Causeway, Belfast and more!
Click here to see our 8-day itinerary that does just that!
Ireland Travel tips Recap!
Ireland and Northern Ireland offer so much to see, so it is easy to want to over-book yourself; we nearly did it. So, take into consideration drive-time between destinations so you don’t spend too much of your trip driving. I also highly suggest making sure you plan to visit Northern Ireland as well. I know its easy to want to Dublin and Galway, but Northern Ireland has some very unique landscapes, and, for the love, get out of the big cities as well.
Enjoy your trip to Ireland! It truly has one of the funnest cultures!
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