Ireland

WHERE IS IRELAND?

Ireland is an island located off of the westernmost edge of Europe. Ireland is the second largest island in the continents and occupies over 80% of this landmass. The island is known for its unique country side and is great for all types of exploring. 

BEST TIME TO VISIT

In my opinion, there is no wrong time to visit Ireland. No matter when you visit, Ireland tends to have mild temperatures making it the perfect destination for year round travel. Although the country can tend to have many rainy days, it is often a light drizzle and will not put a damper in your day to day plans. 

If you travel based on price, you will want to consider visiting Ireland in the month of February. High season is considered to be January, November, and December so prices might be a little higher than usual if this is when you decide to travel.

WEATHER IN IRELAND

The weather in Ireland stays fairly consistent year round but, if you are looking for the most amazing weather, I would definitely recommend anytime between March – May and September – November. During these specific months the average temperatures tend to be a little lower than the highs during the summer and a little higher than the lows during the winter so you will not be freezing or be too hot. Just remember to always have an umbrella with you because Ireland loves to drizzle throughout the day no matter what time of the year it is! 

Winter: December – February

  • Average temps of 5°C (40° F) to 8°C (46° F)
  • Snow is very rare and does not stick 
  • Great time to visit with less tourists and crowds
  • Days and nights are chilly but rarely freezing with frequent rain
  • Great time of the year for stargazing and adventurous treks

Spring: March – May

  • Average temps of 8°C (46°F) to 12°C (53°F)
  • Mild daily temps with occasional rain
  • Flowers start to bloom and gardens come alive 
  • Fewer travelers with less crowds at tourist locations
  • Perfect time for any outdoor activity

Summer: June – September

  • Average temps of 15°C (60°F) to 26°C (80°F)
  • Lush and mild temperatures 
  • 16-18 hours of daylight every day
  • The busiest time of the year for tourists
  • Best time for swimming , hiking, biking and so much more!

Fall: September – November

  • Average temps of 11°C (52°F) to 14°C (57°F)
  • Tends to be cloudy and wet with little sunshine 
  • Less crowded in touristy areas and more availability
  • Beautiful landscapes
  • Best time to celebrate harvest season, walking, hiking, and biking!
Ireland
WHAT TO EXPECT

Language: English and Irish, also known as Gaeilge, are the official languages in Ireland. Although English tends to be the majority language, you come across Gaeltacht speaking areas along the western coast of the country.

Currency: The official currency in Ireland is the Euro. As of May 2022, 1 USD is equivalent to .95 Euro.

Credit Cards and ATMs: While traveling through Ireland, all major US issued Visa and Mastercard debits cards should work. American Express and Discover are not as widely accepted but you might be able to use them in more touristy areas if you are lucky.  Not only can you use your cards to make purchases throughout the county, you can also withdraw cash from almost every ATM with a fee. Cash is also widely accepted around Ireland so I would always make sure to have some on you incase you need it! 

Plugs/Outlets: In Ireland, the main power plug is type G. Ireland operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. I recommend buying a converter like this to use for your hair products and an adapter like this for everything else.

Safety: Ireland is a very safe country to visit compared to a few others throughout europe. Crime is low and does not happen often, especially in touristy areas. This is another great country for families to visit or for taking your first solo trip abroad. Like always, be aware of your surroundings, keep an eye on your belongings and be smart!

TRANSPORTATION

All transportation in Ireland is overground, making it very easy to find your next mode of travel. There are many different modes of transportation throughout the country, but the most popular are bus, train, and car. There is no metro in Ireland so definitely take that into consideration when planning your travels! 

Bus: Bus transportation is by far the most popular, and main, form of transportation throughout the entire country. There are many different bus services but some of the largest operators include Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland and TFI Local Link. 

  • Bus Éireann: Operates in Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford. For prices, routes, and all other information regarding Bus Éireann, check out their official website! 
  • Dublin Bus: This is the largest public transport provider in the Dublin Area with over 136 routes. Depending on the time of the day you will either travel with their normal service or their Nitelink service (midnight – 4:00am Friday-Saturday). The Dublin Bus system also has a few different sightseeing tours so I would definitely look into that if you are interested. Here is the official website for pricing and exact routes! 
  • Go-Ahead Ireland: Go-Ahead Ireland is a smaller bus service but they still offer various routes in the Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area. 
  • TFI Local Link: Just like Go-Ahead Ireland, TFI is a smaller bus service but still offers routes and combines with Bus Éireann Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail. They also offer door-to-door routes, as well as scheduled routes, to make your travel day a little easier. Check out their website for additional information. 

Train: Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) is the national railway company of Ireland. Irish Rail makes it super easy to travel around Ireland and covers Belfast, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Kerry, Mayo, Sligo, Waterford, Wexford and so many more counties around Ireland. This is definitely one of the fastest ways to get around the country! Check out the Irish Rail website for pricing and exact routes! 

Dublin Tram: If you are planning on visiting Dublin I highly recommend the Dublin Tram (Luas). With both the red and green line you are able to get around all of Central Dublin and is much better than walking miles on miles or paying for a taxi every time you want to go somewhere. They also offer airport bus service so I would definitely check them out! 

Car: Like always, traveling around by car is another great option if you want to avoid public transportation. There are so many great rental car companies in Ireland, starting at just $25 a day, here are just a few!

More Travel guides HERE!