A Guide to Traveling Ireland

Ireland, a small island nation located in the North Atlantic, is a land of rolling green hills, rugged coastlines, and vibrant cities. Known for its rich history, friendly people, and stunning landscapes, Ireland is a wonder to behold. From Moher’s towering cliffs to Newgrange’s ancient ruins, there is no shortage of natural and cultural treasures to discover. And what better way to explore the Emerald Isle than by car? With winding roads that hug the coastline, scenic routes through the countryside, and charming villages dotted throughout, Ireland is a perfect destination for a road trip. So, pack your bags, grab a map, and get ready to experience the magic of Ireland.

Guidebooks for Travel in Ireland

Before embarking on a trip, always peruse multiple guidebooks to ensure that you have comprehensive information. Your go-to resource for these guidebooks can be your local library. Borrow a few books, compare them, and select the one that best suits your needs. It does not matter if you prefer printed guidebooks for on-the-ground reference. Purchasing the latest version of guidebooks for your travel can come in handy. Here are some guidebooks for Ireland:

• Rick Steves’ Ireland: Travel guru Rick Steves can guide your itinerary and help you plan your Irish vacation.

• Rough Guide Ireland: This book is a good choice for all types of travelers.

• Fodor’s Essential Ireland: An excellent guidebook for people of all ages.

• DK Eyewitness Ireland: This guide is centered on sightseeing. It’s the perfect book if you already have accommodations and restaurants sorted out.

Online Resources for Travel in Ireland

Before embarking on your travel, go through travel forums, message boards, and country-specific Facebook pages to gain insights. These resources offer a wealth of information, allowing you to read through other travelers’ questions and comments and post your own topics. Here are some pages you can check out for this useful travel information:

• Community: Ireland: Ask questions from Irish cultural experts with lots of travel experience and even local Irish!

• Trip Advisor Forum: Fellow travelers discuss their experiences of Ireland here.

• Ireland Travel Tips Facebook Group: Travelers to Ireland gather here to trade tips and photos.

• Slow Travel: UK & Ireland: This is a discussion center for travelers that like to slow down their itinerary and soak in experiences.

Travel Apps for Your Phone

Having a reliable travel app on your phone can be very valuable. The following apps can prove helpful on every trip.

• Tripit.com: This is an excellent app for organizing your itinerary. You can forward all of your reservations, such as flights, car rentals, hotel bookings, and restaurant reservations, and it will upload them.

• Open Table: Use this app to make restaurant reservations with ease.

• Priceline: Book discounted flights using this app.

• Oanda Currency Converter: Check the current currency exchange rates and avoid ATMs with predatory fees.

• Evernote: This is a simple app that you can use as a virtual notebook to save notes and Web pages that you can access during your trip.

Sightseeing Passes in Ireland

Consider investing in a sightseeing pass if you plan to spend more than a few days exploring Ireland. The cost-effectiveness depends on the attractions you intend to visit. The Ireland Heritage Card, for example, grants unlimited entry to over 45 heritage sites for a year. With this card, you can save money when visiting the following sights:

• Newgrange/Bru Na Boinne: Explore the incredible, one-of-a-kind stone tomb built by ancient Celts.

• Dublin Castle: See the center of the Irish government housed in a 13th-century motte and bailey style keep.

• Kilmainham Gaol: A visit to Kilmainham jail is essential to understanding pivotal points of Irish history.

• Muckross House & Gardens: Visit an opulent Victorian manor in the beautiful Killarney State Parks. You can also see traditional farming and gardening techniques at work here.

• Rock of Cashel: This is one of Ireland’s oldest castles. The views are incredible, and you’ll see very old and beautifully rendered Celtic crosses.

• Ross Castle: Ross Castle is the perfect destination for visiting a haunted Irish castle.

It’s advisable to make reservations for certain attractions before purchasing the card, as you can present it while picking up the tickets. On top of that, Dublin also offers a specific sightseeing pass called the Dublin Pass. It’s ideal if you plan to explore the city intensively for a few days. The more days you purchase, the more economical it becomes.

Travel by Car in Ireland

If you want to travel by car in Ireland, you should be prepared to drive on the left. Driving on the left side of the road can be daunting, especially for those accustomed to driving on the right side. Here are some great tips if you are planning on driving in Ireland:

• Rent an Automatic Car: This will help Americans who aren’t used to shifting with their left hand.

• Plan Your Routes Carefully: Roads in Ireland can be slow going, narrow, and winding, so it may take longer than expected to get from point A to point B.

• Be Patient: In Galway and Dublin, you’ll likely get caught in traffic, so give yourself extra time to reach your destination.

• International Driving Permit: Note that you’ll need this if you’re from a country outside the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, or the EU member states.

Travel in Ireland by Train

A highly recommended website for all things train-related is The Man in Seat 61. It also features a separate section on traveling to Dublin from London by train and ferry. As for train tickets, fares, and schedules in Ireland, the primary website to consult is Irish Rail. The central train stations on the island include:

• Heuston Station, Dublin: This station is a central hub for many Irish travel destinations.

• A Beginner’s Guide to Train Travel in Ireland: Learn the ins and outs of Irish train travel.

• Ireland by Train: This is a good beginner’s guide and includes major train schedules.

• Railtours Ireland: Sightsee and get transportation all in one when you take a rail tour.

Ireland Hotels and B&Bs

Most lodgings provide similar amenities in their rooms, such as a coffee maker or kettle, instant coffee or pods, tea, cookies, drinkable tap water, and bottled water. The bathrooms typically include soap, occasionally shampoo, and often body wash, but rarely hair conditioner. Some bathrooms even have heated towel racks, which provide warm towels and a convenient spot to dry any hand-washed clothing, making it easier to pack light. Each accommodation also offers breakfast, normally featuring cooked-to-order dishes like eggs, salmon, porridge, and a full Irish breakfast. Some places even bake their bread and pastries, and it is not uncommon to see the famous Irish soda bread on the table. The following are some hotels worth checking out:

• Jurys Inn Parnell Street Dublin: Stay in the heart of Dublin, Ireland’s capital city.

• Hotel Kilkenny: Stay in the heart of the gorgeous Kilkenny, where you can enjoy the Irish countryside and many castles.

• Hayfield Manor Hotel: This hotel has as much charm as the city of Cork itself.

Additional Information About Ireland

• Travel and Discover Ireland: Visit Ireland and discover what this North-Atlantic Island nation offers.

• Study the Map of Ireland: Familiarize yourself with Ireland. Discover the locations of some of the fantastic sites to visit while there.

• Learn About the Irish Language: Here is what you need to know about the Irish language.

• What You Should Know About the Irish Culture: Learn about the rich and diverse Irish culture.

• Irish Dual Citizenship: You may actually be able to become Irish by claiming Irish citizenship.

• Physical Geography of Ireland: Get acquainted with the physical geography of Ireland. Discover the topography and elevation of the island.

• Places to Visit in Ireland: There are many popular places you can visit when in Ireland. Grab your passport and use this as your to-do list.

• Historic Sites and Buildings in Ireland: From Blarney Castle to the Borris House, the list of historic sites to visit in Ireland is endless.

• Things To Do in Ireland: If you are wondering what to do in Ireland, this can get you started.

• The Ireland Heritage Card: Learn about the Ireland Heritage Card and why you should buy one.

• The Climate of Ireland: By learning about Ireland’s climate, you can choose the perfect season to visit, depending on your preference.

• Discover the Giant’s Causeway: Located on the edge of the Antrim plateau in Northern Ireland, this UNESCO world heritage site is a place you should visit in Ireland.

• Ireland Time Zone: Understanding the Irish time zone can help you plan better and adjust your clock correctly to avoid inconveniences.

This page was last updated by Marco Permunian