Ireland: Insider Travel Tips for a Smooth Journey

The trip to

happened to us spontaneously and unplanned, which, in the end, we are very happy about.

Actually, the reason to go to Ireland was the desire to once again get to the concert of the Chemical Brothers.

Our trip to Ireland was very eventful and interesting.

We drove across the country, visited different cities, and saw the most beautiful places on the island.

I hope my tips for Ireland will help you plan your trip and get the most out of quiet parks, beautiful nature, and ancient castles.

There are a lot of places that you can visit in Ireland:

and luxurious mansions with beautiful parks, emerald meadows with sheep and rocky cliffs immersed in a raging ocean, cheerful noisy pubs and Michelin-starred restaurants, prehistoric dolmens, and modern art galleries.

It is very difficult to choose one thing and leave out the other, so I decided that I should start with the most popular places in Ireland.

And how, in the modern world, do you determine the popularity of a particular attraction?

Of course, by the frequency of mentions on Instagram (=

Here you are:

Places to See in Ireland

by Train

The first day we devoted ourselves to exploring the capital of Ireland.

After we decided to travel by train to different Instagram locations,

By the way, what I noticed is that if in

sheep often graze outside the train window, then in Ireland,Ireland, freason,e reason, cows are mor common!

By train, you can get to the following locations:

1.

Malahide

The next day we decided to go to Malahide Castle, located not far from the city.

We spent a full day walking around the area.

Malahide Castle is shrouded

and mystical stories related to the Talbot family, who have held title to the castle for almost 800 years.

This was the first castle we visited on our trip to Ireland.

When I saw it for the first time, I was in a state of pure delight: stone walls entwined with ivy; lights burned in the narrow windows; next to the castle was an old cemetery with Celtic ruins; and the roots of the trees were so winding that one could easily get lost in them.

You can come to Malahide Castle from Dublin by train from Connolly Station.

The travel time is 30 minutes.

The ticket price is about 3 euros.

The castle from Malahide station can be reached on foot in 10-15 minutes.

2.

Kinsale, County Cork

Kinsale is one of the neatest towns in Ireland.

Colorful houses with delicious restaurants, forts with an interesting and sad history for the Irish, as well as Old Head Cape, will keep you busy for the whole day.

3.

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare

It is one of the most dizzying in the truest sense of the word places in the world – the Cliffs of Moher.

Don’t be afraid to take the path along the cliffs for incredible photos at the edge of the earth.

4.

Howth, County Dublin

Howth is a cozy coastal town with delicious restaurants and one of the most popular among Dubliners on the cliffs (the Howth Cliff Walk) next to

.

5.

Trinity College, Dublin

Despite the fact that the Book of Kells is the most valuable attraction at Trinity University, the Long Room of the Old Library is still the most photogenic.

6.

Dingle, County Kerry

Dingle is one of the smallest but most colorful peninsulas in the south of Ireland.

The rugged ocean, rugged cliffs, and winding roads contrast with cute, colorful villages and friendly

Dun Chaoin Pier is the most popular place among photographers.

If you are lucky, you can catch a herd of sheep climbing this path.

How Many Days Should I Spend in Ireland?

5-7 days will be enough; do not forget that Ireland is an expensive country.

You need round-trip tickets, accommodation, meals, and to also see the country; you will need about 120 euros per day per person + air tickets.

What is The Best Month to Travel in Ireland?

I would recommend you come in the summer months, but the nature of Ireland will surprise you in any season, whether with breathtaking waterfalls or endlessly snow-capped mountains.

Before describing what is good about Ireland at any time of the year, ask you what the purpose of your trip is.

The high season is the summer months, from June to the end of August.

Low season: most of the year

We were in Ireland in the summer, and it was not hot; the air temperature rarely rises above 68 degrees.

However, this is a great time not only for traveling and visiting attractions and national parks, but it is also the best time for the sea!

Sea recreation on the coasts of Ireland is simply excellent, thanks to the warm currents of the Gulf Stream.

Although it is still better to start swimming in July,

What Should I Prepare For a Trip to Ireland?

You should prepare your visa, flight tickets, accommodation reservations, and a planned route.

You will be prepared for the trip after reading this information:

• The Irish are incredibly sociable and smiling people; they will attack you with conversations as soon as you open the door of a cafe or a local bar.

• Everything closes very early in Ireland.

  In many restaurants, the kitchen stops working as early as 20:00, but you can still have a pint of beer in the bar.

• Fans of ecotourism have a reason to rejoice: in the parks in Ireland, you can pitch a tent and spend the night for free.

  Just do not collect stones and berries, and do not make a fire; you can be fined for this.

• When traveling around the country, keep clean.

  Not only for the sake of nature but also for the sake of your own wallet: the fine for scattering garbage is up to 1500 euros.

• Those wishing to explore mountain trails should remember that it is better to climb in a group with an experienced guide, as thick fogs and rains make hiking in the mountains unsafe.

• Ireland has a low crime rate, so the country is considered safe for tourists.

  Although pockets thieves, as in any country, are also found here.

• Sockets in Ireland are the same as in Britain: type G with a voltage of 230 V.

  Take an adapter with you, as adapters are not offered in every hotel or apartment.

• The menu in restaurants and cafes in Ireland cannot boast a long list of gourmet dishes, but what is really in abundance here is potatoes!

  Potato is a national vegetable and is the basis of many soups, side dishes, and snacks.

  Here you can even dine with the usual potato pancakes, only they will be called boxy.

How Not to Dress Like a Tourist in Ireland

Be sure to have not only a warm but also a decent raincoat, a jacket, and good shoes that are comfortable because long walks can be very tiring, and if the weather is damp, which is very common there, then it is uncomfortable and damp.

I had a good pair of flat boots with me when I went out.

It’s not so much cold as it is damp; therefore, very comfortable clothes are a vest, a T-shirt, a sweater, a baggy jacket, and a raincoat in different subtleties.

PS: An umbrella is useless here, because a gusty wind will break it almost immediately; if you’re lucky, then it’ll be enough until tomorrow.

As for the pubs, what I noticed is that when going to the pub in the evening, people will dress more formally.

Should I Take the Hop on Hop Off Bus in Dublin?

Yes, you can explore Dublin with the Do Dublin Freedom Card.

After, you will enjoy unlimited access to public transportation for 72 hours and take advantage of an optional 48-hour pass for the City Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus.

You will see some of Dublin’s most impressive sights on a hop-on, hop-off bus.

How Do I Get From Dublin Airport to Central Dublin?

You can get to Dublin from the airport by bus for 7 euros.

Air Coach’s blue double-decker shuttles are frequent and take an average of 25 minutes from the airport to the city center.

You can also take a taxi from the airport (Uber operates in Dublin) for at least 50 euros.

When is the Best Time to Visit Ireland?

It depends on what you want to get and where exactly you are going.

So, if Dublin is your only plan, then any time of the year will do for this city, as it is full of great pubs where you can spend many, many fun evenings.

If your goal is to travel around Ireland and you want to visit as many places as possible in a short amount of time, then I do not recommend traveling in the autumn and winter.

You won’t have enough time to see everything that you initially want because it will be already dark at 17.

00 a.

m.

How Many Days Do I Need for Ireland?

5-7 days.

Keep in mind that no matter how much time you plan to spend in Ireland, it will not be enough for you.

So, if possible, leave a couple of extra days at the end of your vacation.

What’s it Like to Go Solo in Ireland?

Going solo to Ireland can be a great idea.

You can go to the planned objects and then turn onto a picturesque street, just because you want so.

You can cancel the inspection of some objects if you suddenly do not want to go there.

In a company, this is usually associated with problems; people want to implement their plans.

Ireland I went to Ireland with my friends but usually I prefer to travel alone.

This does not mean that I categorically refuse fellow travelers, but life develops in such a way that it can be difficult to get together with a group.

And in order not to sit at home, waiting for someone to go somewhere with me, I prefer to act.

How Should I Travel to Ireland by Car or Train?

By car.

The most convenient way to travel around the country is to rent a car.

The traffic here is left-handed; it will take some time to get used to it.

I do not recommend taking the train because, at the moment, the railway looks, perhaps not like a beggar, but very poor!

Almost all passenger train routes start in Dublin.

Electrification is only within the city of Dublin.

Passenger trains consist of 3–5 wagons; I have not even seen freight trains.

Unless Wikipedia claims that sometimes wood is transported and several purely cargo vetoes are drawn,

Is it Worth Renting a Car in Ireland?

Yes.

When planning a route, keep in mind that public transport throughout the island is quite poorly developed, so the best option for your trip will be to rent a car.

Is it Easy to Get Around Ireland Without a Car?

Yes, if you stay in Dublin.

If you are in Dublin for a few days, it is best to buy a Leap Visitor Card for 1, 3, or 7 days to pay for public transport.

The card entitles you to unlimited travel for a period of time of your choice on Airlink, Dublin Bus (all scheduled services), Go-Ahead Ireland in Dublin, Luas (tram), DART, and Commuter Rail (in the Short Hop zone, all suburbs of Dublin).

You can also travel to and from the airport at the start and end of your trip at no extra cost on Airlink buses 747 and 757.

Leap Visitor Card is not valid for Hop-on, Hop-off bus tours or other special travel services.

Which is Better, the Dingle Peninsula or the Ring of Kerry?

The Ring of Kerry is better!

It is a famous route in Ireland where you can find many beautiful and interesting places, both in terms of nature, history, and culture.

Killarney is the center of tourism.

This is facilitated by its location at the foot of thehighest mountain on the Emerald Isle.

This is also where Killarney National Park is located, and the routes (by bus, car, bicycle, or on foot) around the Ring of Kerry start from here.

Killarney is the center of tourism.

This is facilitated by its location at the foot of the highest mountain on the Emerald Isle.

This is also where Killarney National Park is located, and the routes (by bus, car, bicycle, or on foot) around the Ring of Kerry start from here.

After making a circle around the ring and admiring the fabulous landscapes, we climbed a little to the north and entered another peninsula—Dingle.

After driving a few miles, in a village called Inch, we saw the dunes and immediately turned off the road.

The dunes, of course, cannot be compared to the Baltic ones, but they are still beautiful.

After we went to the western cape

In fact, Blasket Island is considered the westernmost point of Ireland.

You can get there by boat and wander among the ancient ruins.

You can get to the Blasket Islands and meet the local celebrity and face the city of Dingle—the Fanji dolphin—starting in April, when tourist routes open.

Where Can I Find a Quiet Patch of Coastline?

There are quite a few patches from north to south.

The coastal zone of Ireland occupies 1740 miles.

The middle of the island is characterized by peat bogs, plains, and low hills.

The relief of the Irish lands is replete with lakes and small streams.

How Do I Beat the Hordes at the Cliffs of Moher?

Just drive slowly around, and you will enjoy!

This is such a cliff 394 feet high, which is located above the Atlantic Ocean.

Since we drove long enough and arrived at the rocks only at 16.

00, and at 17.

00 nothing was visible, we had only one hour to enjoy this miracle of nature and admire the sunset.

But it was 100% worth it.

In general, you can easily come here to take a walk for a day or at least half a day; there is everything you need: beautiful nature, cafes, shops, and even a meditation room.

How Do I Find Game of Thrones Filming Locations?

In search of ideal locations, the creators of “Game of Thrones” traveled the whole world.

Their choice for filming most of the “Northern” scenes settled on the lands of Northern Ireland.

Here are the locations:

Ballintoy Harbour

Scenes of Theon Greyjoy arriving at his father’s, as well as his conversation with his sister Yara, were filmed in Ballintoy Bay.

It was here that Theon was baptized in the name of the drowned god.

Larrybane Quarry

Renly Baratheon’s camp was set up in a picturesque quarry.

Being nearby, it is worth visiting the rope bridge stretching between two rocks—of course, if you are not afraid of heights and crave new sensations.

Caves of Cushendun

The place became famous during the filming of the second season of Game of Thrones.

In this cave, the Red Priestess Lady Melisandre, on the orders of Stannis Baratheon, gave birth to a monster that killed Renly Baratheon, one of the contenders for the Iron Throne.

Downhill Beach

Downhill Beach, a long sandy beach that wraps around the coast of Northern Ireland, served as the location for the scenes on Dragonstone: the burning of the Seven Gods of Westeros by Lady Melisandre.

Castle Ward

One of the main locations of the series is Winterfell Castle, located in a real Irish castle on the shores of Strangford Lough.

Fans of the series will recognize the Stark family estate, where Robert Baratheon came with his retinue.

It was in this castle that the heirs to the throne grew up, and later it was captured by the Boltons.

How do I Feel the Force at Irish Star Wars Filming Locations?

To feel the great force at Irish Star Wars Filming, book an organized excursion.

You will enjoy a fully immersive tour from Dublin with cloaks, swords, shields, and Stark banners.

You will explore memorable locations from the series with a former Game of Thrones extra as your guide.

Is the Guinness Storehouse a must-visit destination for beer lovers in Dublin?

Yes.

The Guiness Beer Storehouse is a place worth visiting to see all the nuances of beer making, taste it, and also learn the history of how the Guinness empire arose.

Believe me, this is quite a large-scale spectacle.

It is better to buy a ticket in advance online to save time.

To Kiss or Not to Kiss: The Truth Behind the Blarney Stone Tradition in Ireland

The Blarney Stone is a stone that is built into the wall of Blarney Castle.

According to legend, this is a part of the Skoon stone, endowing the person who kissed her with the gift of eloquence.

The ancient story about the amazing stone goes back to the Middle Ages, when in 1314 the builder of Blarney Castle, Cormac, who is the ancestor of Dermot McCarthy, sent a small detachment from Munster, which consisted of several hundred of his subjects, to help Robert the Bruce in the battle of Bannockburn.

Just at that time, there was a confrontation between Bruce and King Edward II of England.

In a fierce struggle, Robert managed to win, and, as a token of gratitude, he brings a gift to Cormac: half of the Skoon Stone, which in the old days was an indispensable attribute of the coronation of the kings of Scotland.

Today, many tourists want to gain eloquence in such an unusual way, but a simple kiss in this case is not enough.

According to a common ritual, it is necessary, with the help of an assistant, to hang from the parapet in a special way.

Only in this position can one hope for a positive result from the kiss of the stone of eloquence.

At the same time, such actions turn a kiss into a real danger to life as well as health.

But despite this, many people perform this ritual.

To Visit or Not to Visit: Is Trinity College a Must-See Attraction in Dublin?

Trinity College is a must-see attraction.

Trinity College, located in Dublin, is an interesting attraction in Ireland.

Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, it is part of the University of Dublin.

Together, they are considered the oldest and most prestigious educational institutions in the country.

One of the interesting facts about the history of the college is that women were admitted as full students in 1904.

It was the first educational institution in Europe that allowed them to receive higher education.

However, like the entire university, Trinity College is one of the best educational institutions not only in Europe but also in the world.

Its graduates included such celebrities as Jonathan Swift and Oscar Wilde, great scientists: Denis Burkitt, William

, George Berkeley, and Douglas Hyde, the first president of Ireland.

To date, more than 13 thousand students from almost a hundred countries around the world are enrolled at the college.

Its library holdings include over 4 million items, providing students with unique research opportunities.

Training is conducted by more than 500 teachers, each of whom has the highest achievements in science and education.

The university has a lot of really cutting-edge initiatives.

What is the Currency in Ireland?

Ireland is a member of the European Union, so the currency here is the euro.

Should I get Euros Before Going to Ireland?

Yes.

Ireland is a member of the European Union, so the currency here is the euro.

Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted everywhere, but American Express is not.

You can also withdraw money from an ATM.

But the most profitable thing, of course, is to change the currency in advance at a favorable rate in your city; this way you will avoid additional commissions and conversions.

How Much Cash Should I bring to Ireland?

Around 1200–1500 EUR for 7 days.

Prices in Ireland are close to those in Britain.

You can eat popular fast food for 7–10 euros; lunches in inexpensive cafes cost 10–20 euros.

A bottle of water in local SPAR and TESCO supermarkets costs an average of €1.

5; coffee to go costs about €3.

Museum entrance fees range from €10 to €25.

You can buy a postcard for 50 cents, a magnet for €5, and Guinness toffee for €12.

Are You Supposed to Tip in Ireland?

My Irish friend says that it’s generally not customary to give a tip here and everyone usually gives change to the cent, and in restaurants and some other establishments there is usually a “tip” — “for service — of 10%, and so it is included almost everywhere in advance.

He says you can actually leave a tip, but it’s not very common among the locals and the Irish

.

How to get mobile data in Ireland for Americans?

You can get mobile

For example, I used a

Meteor offers a free pay-as-you-go SIM in their stores with a €10 top-up purchase (see Meteor store locations) and other outlets.

Standard, micro, and nano SIM cards are available.

The minimum top-up amount is 5 euros.

Top-up vouchers are available nationwide.

4G is available on a prepaid basis, but the minimum cost is €20 per month in a package that also includes free calls or texts.

SIM cards need to be recharged every 150 days to support outgoing calls and text messages.

They will be deactivated after 30 days.

You can top up your account online for 5–60 euros using any international credit or debit card or vouchers offered in 7,000 outlets in the country.

To check the balance, dial *#100#.

Is it Okay to Drink Tap Water in Ireland?

No, I do not recommend it.

Lead can enter the water supply from wastewater that is discharged into the river and then into the water intake for treatment.

Iron, zinc, and copper are most often the result of contact with pipes and tank walls.