Insider Ireland Travel Info & Tips

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Welcome to Ireland!  Cead Mile Failte is Irish for “100,000 welcomes.”
 
​Ireland is a fantastic and safe country for Americans to visit and deserves all its accolades as a top-tier destination.   

English is the main language, and the warm Irish hospitality is legendary.  Ireland’s wonderful culture, history, food, beverages, music, and stunning scenery will keep you absorbed and delighted during your first and every visit thereafter.  

Here are some travel tips and info to help you plan your Irish Vacation.  
Erin Go Bragh!

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Let's plan a trip to Ireland!

1. 1) Best Time to Visit: 
2. Anytime you have an opportunity to visit Ireland is the best time as it is always magical. However, if you’re flexible, we prefer May to October when the weather is slightly warmer, but days will be longer allowing more time to enjoy the beautiful outdoor landscapes and vistas. 

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Plan your Ireland trip with a Travel Advisor

1. 2) Best way to plan a trip:  
2. If you have unlimited time and budget, you can plan your own trip to tour the island on your own pace but will need a car or private driver to reach many areas. 


3. Otherwise, we highly recommend working with an experienced Travel Advisor who specializes in Ireland, so they customize an itinerary that maximizes your time, stretches your budget, and includes authentic experiences that match your travel style.   


4. A Travel Advisor can help you plan your air, hotel, transportation, routes, shows, attractions and authentic experiences with their vetted suppliers along with providing full support during your trip for a seamless and stress-free vacation. 
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1. 3) Dress in Layers: While not extreme, Irish weather can be very unpredictable, damp and chilly as the island receives lots of rainfall.  Dress in layers, bring a cardigan, travel umbrella, rain jacket with hood and waterproof shoes with slip-proof soles. If you’ll be carrying a backpack, make sure this is waterproof as well.

One Island but two currencies

1. 4) One Island but two Currencies:  The island of Ireland is composed of two countries, Northern Ireland located in the top 1/3 of the island is part of the United Kingdom where the currency is pound sterling (£). 
   
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3. The Southern 2/3 of the Island is the Republic of Ireland (also known as Ireland) and as they are part of the European Community their currency is the Euro (€).  There are no border crossings and your credit cards and debit cards for ATMs will work fine in both countries.

Link to currency converter

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VAT Refunds will save you money

1. 5) Save money with VAT Taxes and Refunds:  In short, US and Canada citizens can claim money back on some of the products (not services) purchased in Ireland that can be brought home in your luggage (up to 16%).  When shopping, bring your passport with you and ask the shop if they take part in the VAT refund process.  You’ll have some forms to complete and must present these at the airport before departing so allow extra time.   


2. More information is here or check out the convenient 3rd party Horizon tax-free shopping card that makes it easy to receive additional discounts and claim your VAT refund by shopping in their approved stores. 


3. Use your VAT tax refund to save money on popular Irish Souvenirs like Crystal, Pottery, Linens, Aran Sweaters and Tweeds along with Whiskey to name a few. 

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Famous 600' Cliffs of Moher located in County Clare on West Coast

1. 6) What to see:  Dublin (nickname is "The Fair City") is the Capitol of Irland and major airport on the island so definitely spend your first night or two here to get acquainted with and see some of the important sites and spend your last day before flying back home.

 
       Bear in mind that 40% of the population of Ireland live in and around Dublin too so it can get busy, but the center city is also very walkable.  For stunning landscapes, quaint towns, historic ruins, villages, and slower pace make your way out to South and Western Coasts including the “Wild Atlantic Way” which is 1600 miles in length and is one of the longest defined coastal routes in the world. Northern Ireland also has many interesting sites and amazing scenery so you can take the train to Belfast and use this as a base for good day trips if don’t want to rent a car.  
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     7)  How to get around:  Ireland has very good and efficient public transportation in and around Dublin.   The national train system is also good,         but all the major routes start or end in Dublin.   Best way to see Ireland outside of Dublin is by driving to see the smaller towns and natural      landscapes.  This can be done via public bus, escorted motorcoach tours, private driver or renting your own car. 

​    If you decide to rent your own car, you’ll be driving on the opposite side of the road and some roads can be windy and narrow.  However, if you            take your time and yield to the locals and obey the laws, you’ll be fine and have a grand adventure at your own pace.  Make sure to purchase the        car insurance though as your auto insurance in the America will probably not cover you in Ireland. 

1. 8) Irish Words to know before you Go:  While the official language is English the Irish have lots of local slang and common sayings that will be useful when visiting.   Below are just a few of the more popular words to get you started:

• Craic (“Krack”) = “Fun or good times”
• Potato chips = “Crisps”
• French Fries = “Chips”
• Police = “The Guards”, which is short for the Gardai, the official name for the police
• Sweater, pullover or cardigan = “Jumper”
• Soft Drinks = “Minerals”
• Bathroom = “The Toilet or the Jacks”
• Gasoline = “Petrol”
• A long time = “Donkey’s years”

5-Star Ashford Castle Resort, Golf Club & Spa

1. 9) Visit or stay in a real castle:  With over 4,000 castles in the Emerald Isle, you don’t have to look far for the royal treatment in Ireland.  During Ireland’s long history of feuding armies, castles provided protected fortress for Kings and nobles.  

 
The many castles you see provide great history, tales and backdrops for pictures during your visit. Some castles have been completely renovated and now are 4- and 5-star deluxe hotels featuring fine dining, golf, high tea, spa, falconry and many more experiences.    

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Cheers or Slainte'

 10) Pub Culture:  With current estimates of over 7,000 pubs still operating in Ireland, pubs have been an integral part of the social fabric and culture of the Irish for over 800 years. Pubs are the living room of the Irish culture, and you will find good music and some dancing by the locals. 

It is said often that if you sit at bar in the Irish pub, you will not be stranger for long as the Irish locals are very friendly and love meeting new people.  
 
 Just remember that if you just order a “Pint” of beer you’ll receive Guinness Stout which is Ireland's unofficial national drink.  If you want another brand of beer or beverage, you’ll need to name it with your order. 
     Cheers = "Slainte" 
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Hurling is a uniquely Irish Sport

Bonus Tip:  To truly have an authentic experience in any country check out a local sporting event.  In the USA this would be football or baseball but in Ireland this would be a Hurling match, and these take place in most cities on a Sunday. 


Hurling is an Irish game resembling field hockey, played with a shorter stick with a broader oval blade. It is the national game of Ireland and may date back to the 2nd millennium bc.  Other popular Irish sports include rugby, golf, gaelic football, horse racing and soccer. 

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Summary:  We hope this is helpful information to plan your Irish Trip and you'll visit soon.   Thank you for sharing your own tips so we can pass along to others.  For more information check out our dedicated Ireland Travel Page.