From lush glens and magical canal banks, to daredevil cliff paths and quaint city quarters – when it comes to walking and hiking, Ireland has got you covered. Being an island, Ireland naturally offers unique opportunities for coastal walks. The Wild Atlantic Way and Causeway Coast are stand-out locations, but don't overlook the likes of the stunning Beara, Dingle, and Inishowen Peninsulas – each nicely varied with mountainous paths for adventurous souls, as well as gentler terrain. There's also the Copper Coast in the south east, a breathtaking shoreline of cliffs, coves, and sea stacks, named after the mining industry that once prospered there. Special mention, too, for the hilly routes around Achill Island, County Mayo.
Mountains in Ireland come in many shapes and sizes, but they all come beautifully. The Mourne Mountains boast a host of heavenly hikes. The Wicklow and Kerry Ways traverse stunning mountainscapes with plenty of calmer stretches. Walks and hikes in these verdant surrounds are dealt a dash of color, thanks to the area's mythical heritage. For every step you take, a fairy, a warrior, a banshee, or a ghost has taken it before you. Keep it quirky with bog walks in the likes of Tipperary, Laois, Offaly, and Connemara. They are prettily planned with wooden walkways to keep you away from the stickiest terrain.
About Ireland
Climate
The climate of Ireland can be described as maritime influenced, mild and humid weather. May to mid-September is by far the warmest, and generally the drier time of year relatively speaking. In the summer, temperatures usually fall in a range of 15°C to 20°C, but sometimes they can reach up to 25°C or even higher. Winter days can be drizzly, cold and short (the sun sets around 4 pm), but because of the Gulf Stream, the temperature seldom falls below freezing, averaging about 7°C.
Spring in Ireland
Ireland is famous for many things: from dramatic coastlines to stunning scenery, from social scenes and live music to literature and the arts. One thing it tends to fall short on, however, is the weather. Average temperatures in Ireland during Spring usually range from 4°C – 10°C. The days will finally be getting longer again after the Winter months. There is also Daylight Savings. It is when the clocks are turned forward by one hour, meaning sunrise and sunset are one hour later, extending daylight. On the downside, there can be up to 70 mm of rainfall on average in March. As Spring finally is in full bloom, leafy green trees and flowers grow again. The temperatures in Ireland thankfully rise to an average of 5°C – 11°C in April.
Dress Appropriately
Irish weather is not extreme, but the country does get a lot of rain, particularly along its west coast. And if you're traveling to Ireland during winter, know that the season's days are short. The sun rises at about 8 a.m. and sets at about 4 p.m., which means you have to cram a lot of sightseeing into a few hours. But during summer, the sunsets are as late as 10 p.m. Be mindful of these seasonal changes, pack light layers of clothing and a pair of rain boots or waterproof shoes, and you should be just fine.
Transportation
The Republic of Ireland has three international airports — Dublin, Cork, and Shannon — while Northern Ireland has one in Belfast. Dozens of European airlines offer direct flights to Ireland from European countries including Aer Lingus, Air France, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Lufthansa; from the United States, Aer Lingus, American Airlines, and United are some of the major airlines with flights from Ireland.
The trains in Ireland carry you in comfort, but they are pricey. So if you intend to travel on one during your trip, make sure to book it in advance to take advantage of online discounts that the Irish Rail offers. If you choose to travel by bus, be aware that you must flag the bus to get it to stop.
The best sites in the Emerald Isle are seen via public transportation or tour buses, but renting a car is not a bad idea to get to those obscure sites. Be sure the vehicle you rent is a small one, as rural roads in Ireland are narrow. Oh, and the Irish drive on the left side of the road and pass on the right.
Driving in Ireland takes a certain amount of skill. For Americans and Canadians, there’s the whole other-side-of-the-car, other side-of-the-road thing to contend with — just remember to stay left, and you’ll be all right. On highways, there are typically two to three lanes; rarely will you find monster four- or five-lane thoroughfares in Ireland. As on most European highways, the fast lane — which is always on the right — is used solely for passing slower traffic.
When planning your trip, check to see if your route has any toll requirements. Toll charges are based on the size of your vehicle.
The Best Irish Road Trip
Begin Your Ireland Road Trip By Flying Into Dublin Airport
1: Spend Time Exploring Dublin To Begin Your Ireland Road Trip
2: Enjoy Rock Of Cashel And Hore Abbey
3: Visit Cork, Cobh, And Blarney Estate In Ireland Ancient East
4: Explore Killarney For Some Of The Best Drives
5: Visit The Breathtaking Dingle Peninsula, One Of The Best Ireland Road Trip Drives
6: Check The Cliffs Of Moher Off Your Bucket List
7: Drop By Doolin For Picture Perfect Irish Charm
8: Experience Westport And Achill Island
9: Explore The Slieve League Cliffs And Bad Eddie’s Boat In Co. Donegal
10: Finish Your Trip By Exploring Belfast And The Causeway Coast
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Dolmens - symbols of Ireland
There are about 190 dolmens in Ireland, and they are our most recognizable type of megalithic monument. Dolmens are known by many different names: Cromlechs, Giants Graves, Diarmuid and Grainne's Beds, and stone tables. Dolmens generally have an entrance feature, the 'portal,' although a blocking stone often closes this. A most characteristic feature is a massive roof stone, weighing tons and inclined at an angle with the highest part over the entrance. Portal dolmens are known as Irish mythological stories and folklore. Most dolmens are covered with mounds of stone, but little remains of these cairns at most sites. The impressive structures we see today are like the skeletons of the monuments.
Small Irish villages shouldn’t be missed if you’re looking for authentic local culture and connections
Ireland has several distinct regional cultures rather than a single national one; moreover, the daily lives of city dwellers are, in some ways, much different from those living in the countryside. For example, whereas Dublin is one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities, the Blasket Islands of Dingle Bay, off Ireland’s southwestern coast, seems almost a throwback to earlier centuries. The Irish maintain a vibrant and lively folk culture. Many engage in a variety of craft-based industries, producing items such as glass, ceramics, ironwork, wood-turning, linens, embroidery, and knitwear. The Irish pub serves as a focal point for many small villages and urban neighborhoods, a place where the great Irish passion for conversation, stories, and jokes.
The meaning behind the brightly colored doors in Ireland
You probably have heard about the famous “Doors of Dublin.” Even if you have not, as soon as you open any travel guide, you will have seen one or two. And as soon as you are in Dublin, you will spot them everywhere. During the early 18th century, Dubliners began to build elegant new Georgian homes beyond the walls of the original medieval town. At the time of construction, all of the exterior doors were the same color. The Georgian style exteriors of these townhouses, by strict rules laid down by the developer, had to adhere to precise architectural guidelines – they were all uniformly built. To set themselves apart, the Georgian Dubliners started painting their front doors whatever color struck their fancy to differentiate their homes from others.
History
Caught in the ebb and flow of the last Ice Ages over the previous 2 million years, Ireland was at various times mostly glaciated and completely land-locked as a part of the continent of Europe. Ireland was an island about 125,000 years ago when the sea level appears to have been very close to its present position. The sea level dropped 130 m (426 feet) or more during the interval from around 30,000 to 15,000 years ago when Ireland became part of continental Europe again. Sea levels have generally been rising ever since, albeit at a much slower rate.
The first definite evidence of human settlement in Ireland dates from 8,000 to 7,000 BC. They are known from early archaeological findings to have made an appearance in the far north in the lower Bann valley near present-day Coleraine and in the southwest in the Shannonestuary. Later they are thought to spread northeast along the coast of Antrim and followed the Bann upstream to Lough Neagh. They also settled down to an industrious existence on the shore of Larne Lough just north of present-day Belfast, where they chipped flints for implements. These people, Mesolithic hunter-gatherers without domestic animals or farming skills, huddled for the most part along the coasts and waterways. As a consequence, these early arrivals had little impact on the environment.
St. Patrick was a 5th-century missionary to Ireland and later served as bishop there. He is credited with bringing Christianity to parts of Ireland and was probably partly responsible for the Christianization of the Picts and Anglo-Saxons. He is one of the patron saints of Ireland. There are many legends associated with the life of St. Patrick. According to one, he miraculously drove all the snakes of Ireland into the sea.
His feast day is March 17.
The Irish Potato Famine, also known as the Great Hunger, began in 1845 when a fungus-like organism called Phytophthora infestation spread rapidly throughout Ireland. The infestation ruined up to one-half of the potato crop that year, and about three quarters more over the next seven years. Because the tenant farmers of Ireland—then ruled as a colony of Great Britain—relied heavily on the potato as a source of food, the infestation had a catastrophic impact on Ireland and its population. Before it ended in 1852, the Potato Famine resulted in the death of roughly one million Irish from starvation and related causes. At least another million were forced to leave their homeland as refugees.
Culture
Music, dance, sport, drinking, and poetry all combine to create a heady cultural concoction in Ireland. Known for their hearty cheer, the Irish combine the best of their Celtic and Viking roots and modern influences and habits. Irish traditions are commonly known around the globe, and Irish blessings find their way to the lips of foreigners many countries away.
Ireland is known for its Irish traditional music but has produced many other internationally influential artists in different musical genres, such as The Pogues, the alternative rock group The Cranberries, Blues guitarist Rory Gallagher, folk singer Christy Moore, The Chieftains and singer Sinéad O'Connor.
The Irish play a variety of sports including Gaelic football, soccer, snooker, golf, and Irish hurling. Boxing and fishing are also popular pastimes.
English and Irish are the most widely spoken languages of Ireland, with the former being spoken by 94% of the population.
In the Republic of Ireland, the official currency is the euro. One euro consists of 100 cents. Notes are €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500. Coins are 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1 and €2.
In Northern Ireland, the pound sterling is the local currency. One pound sterling consists of 100 pence. Notes are £5, £10, £20, £50, and £100. Coins are 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2
Visitors from the USA
Making purchases while traveling in Ireland is relatively easy. Cash is the most immediate form of payment and accepted everywhere, but major credit cards are quite common as well. Watch your currency closely since the island of Ireland is made up of two different countries.
Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK where they use pound sterling and The Republic of Ireland, which uses the euro. In the border regions, both currencies are often accepted. If you need currency when you arrive, you can exchange a small amount at the airport.
Today, approximately 87% of Irish people living in the Republic of Ireland identify themselves as Roman Catholic. The second largest religious group is that of the Church of Ireland (Anglican), with approximately 3% of the population.
Other religious groups include Muslim (0.8%), Christian (unspecified, 0.7%), Presbyterian (0.6%), and those that describe themselves to have ‘no religion’ (6%).
St Patrick’s Cathedral Ireland
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral has been part of Ireland’s history for over 800 years, and today is one of the most popular visitor attractions in Dublin. It was built in honor of Ireland’s patron saint between 1220 and 1260. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral offers visitors a rich and compelling cultural experience, and is one of the few buildings left from medieval Dublin. It is the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland and is the largest Cathedral in the country. The Cathedral is world-famous for its choir, which still performs daily during the school term. Dating from 1270, the Cathedral has been restored to its original glory. A new exhibition called “Lives Remembered” has opened, which includes a specially commissioned tree sculpture, and marks the anniversary of World War 1.
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The Experience
Thanks to its strategic position and fertile land, the east coast bore the brunt of Ireland's colonization. Many of the area's country houses have turned into beautiful hotels. Drinking here means traditional pubs, which means good Guinness. Fresh, local produce is also what distinguishes this area's many fine restaurants, from Carlingford Lough shellfish, through artisan cheeses, to Wicklow lamb and venison. A quick stopover on the Emerald Isle is amply rewarding. Architecture enthusiasts will fall for Dublin's rows of magnificently preserved Georgian homes, bookworms will get lost in the literary heritage, and shopping buffs will be pleased to discover that Ireland is a treasure trove of artisan, handmade, and heritage products.
Heritage Cards Are Helpful
If you plan to visit the country's many cultural attractions, picking up a Heritage Card from the Office of Public Works is a great idea. This card entitles you to free admission to all heritage sites managed by the state for an entire year. These sites include castles and national parks.
Bucket List
- Cliffs of Moher
- Killarney
- Lough Gur / Ballyhoura
- Kylemore Abbey
- Dingle Peninsula
- Giant’s Causeway
- Lough Boora Parklands
- Clifden / Sky Road
- Bunratty Castle
- Phoenix Park / Dublin Zoo
- Golf
A golfer’s delight with all the amazing courses
Ireland is a golfer’s paradise, with world-class courses in some spectacular places. With over 300 golf clubs and a selection of exceptional championship courses in unusual locations, every year over 240,000 from all over the world come to experience these impressive but unforgiving fairways. Most of Ireland’s trails are open all year round. However, classes are in best condition and weather is most suitable for golfing from April to October. In summer, daylight hours can stretch up to 10 pm so two rounds of lazy lunch can easily fit into a day.
Explore Ireland via city and village walking tours with local expert guides
A Historical Walking Tour is a must for a city like Dublin that wears on its sleeve a great deal of history, spanning from the times of Viking settlement to modern days.
- Combine educational with recreational on the entertaining crawl through Dublin's pubs that have inspired great Irish writers. A walking tour is an excellent introduction to Dublin's rich literary heritage with a chance to enjoy a few pints along the way.
- Pedal your way around Dublin on a guided bike tour to feel the city's energy and unique atmosphere. See its excellent sights while stopping at some of them for a bit of rest, watching the surroundings, and learning much about the city's history.
Photography Hot Spots
- Fanad Head Lighthouse
- Giant’s Causeway
- Downpatrick Head
- Dark Hedges
- Bittles Bar, Belfast
- The Worm Hole – Aran Islands
- Shimna River Stepping Stones – Tollymore National Park
- Cobh, Cork
- Cliffs of Moher
- The Trinity Library
The long room at Trinity College and Book of Kells
Facts about The Long Room at Trinity College and The Book of Kells.
- Trinity College is Ireland’s oldest university.
- It was founded by Queen Elizabeth in 1592.
- There are ‘secret’ tunnels underneath Trinity College, but nobody knows how to get to them, and whether or not they do lead to the Provost’s wine cellar.
- Lots of famous people attended Trinity, such as Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde.
- The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript Gospel book written in Latin, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament together with various prefatory texts and tables. It’s mostly famous because it dates back to 800 AD, and because it is beautifully illustrated.
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Cuisine
Foods to Try
- Full Irish Breakfast
- Irish stew
- Galway Oysters
- Colcannon
- Cockles and Mussels
- Soda bread
- Barmbrack
- Boxty
- Coddle
Irish pubs - a great place to start and enjoy your adventure
Irish pubs have existed for roughly a millennium. For decades, the pub has been a center for cultural gatherings in Ireland. It is a social hotspot where people from all walks of life come to gather. In addition to the casual social atmosphere, hearty food and drink, sports, and traditional Irish music are hallmarks of pub culture. The menu is usually regular and straightforward featuring classic Irish dishes. Drinks include a variety of spirits and beers on tap with televisions show games such as football or hurling.
Drinks to Try
- Guinness
- Irish Whiskey
- Tea
- Irish Coffee
- Miwadi
- Bulmers Cider
- TK Red Lemonade
- Baileys Irish cream
- Club Rock Shandy
- Poitín
Fun facts about Guinness in Ireland
Under the guidance of Arthur Guinness and his heirs, Guinness has been brewing pints of its famous stout in Dublin since the mid 18th century. Sláinte!
- The company originally leased its Dublin brewery for 9,000 years.
- The lease included free access to a water supply.
- There was once an ale as well.
- It takes 119.5 seconds to pour the perfect pint of Guinness.
- The official color of the beer is ruby red.
- The beer was brewed in 49 countries around the world.
- It was one of the first companies to offer employee benefits.
- Guinness promised every British soldier a pint of beer on Christmas day during World War II.
- The Guinness harp was one of the first trademarks in the U.K.
Jameson Whiskey Distillery Dublin
Jameson Distillery Bow St., informally the Jameson Distillery, is an Irish whiskey tourist attraction located just off Smithfield Square in Dublin, Ireland. Jameson Distillery Bow St. is the original site where Jameson Irish Whiskey is distilling until 1971. It is now a visitors’ center that provides guided tours, tutored whiskey tastings, JJs bar, and a gift shop. Jameson is a blended Irish whiskey produced by the Irish Distillers subsidiary of Pernod Ricard. Formerly one of the six main Dublin Whiskeys, Jameson is now distilled at the New Midleton Distillery in County Cork. In 2018, annual sales topped 7.3 million cases. Jameson is by far the best selling Irish whiskey in the world. It has been sold internationally since the early 19th century, and is now available in over 130 countries.
Shopping
Tax-Free Shopping!
All those goodies you'll find to buy on Grafton Street are tax-free! That's right, travelers who live outside the European Union can shop tax-free in Ireland. Make sure to apply for a Fexco Horizon Card prior to your trip so you can register and swipe it in affiliated stores in the country and claim sales tax back on the purchases.
Differing Currencies
And while we're on the topic of shopping, it's important to note that, as part of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland uses pound sterling rather than the euro.
You won't want to leave Ireland without doing some shopping! Make sure you pick up a few of these souvenirs for your trip home.
Souvenirs To Buy
- Irish Chocolate
- Claddagh Ring
- Irish Aran Wool Knits
- Avoca Woollen Throws
- Irish Pottery and Ceramics
- Irish Whiskey
- Irish Books
- Irish Leather Goods
- Newbridge Silver
- Irish Crystal
- Irish Art
- Irish Musical Instruments
- Irish Linen
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Want to see a little bit more about what Ireland has to offer? Check out this short video on Ireland.