Last year was my first trip to Ireland. I was amazed at how much of the country I was able to see in just two short weeks. The only major city I was not able to see was Cork, the second largest city in Ireland next to Dublin. Ireland is truly an amazing place with a history of struggle and perseverance. There is no shortage of castles, greenery, sheep, ocean views, pubs, live music, harty foods, and Guiness, we can not forget about the Guiness! And of course the people, the friendly, musically-talented, proud and humble Irish. At any pub you go to there will always be someone there to strike up a conversation. So you solo travelers out there, you do not have to worry about making friends in this country!
Flights
There are two main airports that you will fly into if coming from the States, Shannon (SNN) and Dublin (DUB). Shannon is on the West side and Dublin on the East. We flew into Shannon and flew out of DUB as this fit best with our itinerary. If you want to see as much of Ireland as you can in a short amount of time I recommend this route. Of course you could always fly into Dublin and out of Shannon as well.
Lodging
The lodging will be primarily bed & breakfasts in the smaller towns and hotels or Airbnb in the cities. We stayed in B&B’s, hostels, Airbnb and hotels. My favorite place to stay was in the local bed & breakfasts. Staying at a B&B allows you to get acquainted with the owners and some of the local culture. Also, most offer a homemade breakfast as a part of the stay, which is always a plus. Most importantly plan all accommodations ahead of time especially if you are traveling during the busy season or have a large group. Most of Ireland is countryside and it is not easy to just “wing it” or plan your stays on the go.
Getting Around
The best way to see all of Ireland is to rent a car. There is a fast train that can get you from Dublin to Shannon and some hop and hop off busses in the larger cities and towns like Dublin, and Galway. However, they can not get you everywhere and most of the smaller towns do not have reliable public transit.
At first it is a bit odd driving on the other side of the road, if you are from the States, but definitely doable. Also, drive carefully as there are a lot of windy roads. The good news is that the locals can easily spot an out-of-town driver and get out of the way fairly easily. Also, on most roads there is hardly any traffic. You will have to worry about traffic stops for goat crossings before you have to worry and automobile traffic.
Currency in Ireland
The official currency of Ireland is the Euro and in Northern Ireland, which is technically the UK, they use the Pound sterling. US dollars will not be accepted and you will need to exchange your currency if you plan to go to Northern Ireland during your trip.
The Climate in Ireland
Ireland is a beautiful, lush, green island in Europe where the temperatures range from 80 – 45 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the time of year you travel. Ireland has an oceanic climate year round. This means that there is almost always moisture in the air and you can almost always count on a good breeze. Do not worry, this does not mean that you will experience rain throughout your entire trip. We had several days of all sun and no clouds. However, you should always be prepared for rain because chances are it will rain while you are there. This is why the country is so lusciously green all year round, so pack a light-weight rain coat! And of course the more North you go, the cooler and more damp it will get. The best times to visit Ireland is June – August since these are the summer months for the Northern Hemisphere. We visited in June and experienced exceptional weather.
Northern vs. Southern Ireland
Though the Northern part of Ireland is still considered a part of the UK. Most of Ireland follows European customs, think driving on the left side of the road and paying in euros. There is also a large divide between Northern and Southern Ireland. I recommend reading up on this subject as well in order to determine how best to conduct yourself regarding this matter as it is a sensitive subject to most people in Ireland. There is a long, turbulent and delicate history between the South and the North so just be sure to be conscious and aware when traveling through the country.
Trip to Ireland Schedule
This Ireland travel schedule is perfect for a first trip to Ireland. It will allow for you to experience a lot of the eastern, northern and western parts of Ireland. This schedule is fast paced and covers a lot of ground in a short amount of time, but is easily altered to fit your travel style. Click here to see the full schedule.
