Tips for traveling to Ireland

Anyone have any words of wisdom for traveling to Ireland? We are traveling there for the first time and do not know what to expect....

Thanks!

Re: Tips for traveling to Ireland

When are you going & what part are you going to? You will def need a rain jacket of some sort & I would dress in layers.

Re: Tips for traveling to Ireland

I've been 5 times, most recently in May. It's a wonderful place to go!

Where will you be staying? The region of your in significantly changes your trip. Will you have a rental car? Are you taking a bus tour?

Do you have any places you want to see while you're there?

You're going to have a great time!

Re: Tips for traveling to Ireland

We are taking a bus tour with CIE. Going to Killarney, Bunratty, Waterford and Dublin.

Not renting a car, because I would probably get myself killed driving on the wrong side of the road!!

Do you usually get euros before you go or get them while your there? Our phones won't work over there, do you buy a calling card here or there? Or what did you do?

Re: Tips for traveling to Ireland

Bring clothes you can layer - if it rains it will be chilly and damp but if it is nice you might not need the sweater.

I always get my euros there most banks there have the currency exchange. Try not and bring large bills to exchange some banks won't take 100's for fear of counterfeit money.

Make sure you bring the adapter for the plugs if you need to charge anything they have a different electric current then us.

Regarding your phone it depends my phone works over there. You can easily get calling cards if your phone doesn't work.

You are going to wonderful places and should have a great time.

Re: Tips for traveling to Ireland

We got our Euros here from the bank before we went. Taking money from an ATM has a 3% charge (depending on your bank) and using your credit card carries a 5% charge, so I recommend avoiding those as much as possible. We weren't charged for the exchange through the bank because we changed $1000. (We went for 10 days.)

Sounds like you're going to have a great time! We loved Bunratty so much. The folk park, the castle, and of course Durty Nelly's. There's also a great place next door called JP Clarke's that had fabulous food.

My dad has a house in Co. Clare so when we go, we just rent a car from Shannon airport and stay at the home. He also has an irish cell phone we use there -- it's like a go phone here where you just add minutes by purchasing cards. So I don't have advice about that. We were there in early May and stayed mostly on the West coast -- Cliffs of Moher, Ennis, Galway, Limerick (which we didn't really like), and Cork.

It was COLD while we were there. Probably 50s most of the time. It didn't rain very often (maybe 2 of our 10 days) but we were very lucky in that regard. I brought a ski jacket that has layers -- it's a windbreaker with a fleece that zips in and out, and also has a hood. It was the perfect jacket for the trip because it was so versatile. It doesn't get that cold there, even in the winter, but never gets that warm either. Mostly the temperature stays between 40 and 70 the whole year round. (They have palm trees there, btw! So funny!)

The food has come leaps and bounds in the past few years. You can get decent meals pretty much anywhere (I have some great recommendations in Ennis, but I doubt you'll be there since it's a pretty small city).

We had such a fabulous visit. DH loves taking pictures so he had a blast photographing everywhere we went! The people are really nice, too!

You'll have a great chance to get souvenirs at the Bunratty Woolen Mills while you're there.

If you happen to have the option, the cave in Doolin is an AMAZING tour. It's a lot of walking, though, so you have to be up for it. I was five weeks PG then and didn't know it... but mind over matter, I did all that walking with no problem.

When are you going? Hopefully when the days are nice and long!

Here's some pics from our trip:

Cliffs of Moher:


Quin Abbey:


The Dolmen:


Another place we really enjoyed was the Rock of Cashel if you happen to be in Cashel.

Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any questions!

Re: Tips for traveling to Ireland

If they take you to the Blarney Stone, *do not* kiss it - all the tourists kiss it, which brings germs from all over the world, but even worse the locals pee on it because they know the tourists kiss it! My cousins in Ireland told me this, lol...

You are going to love it, it's a beautiful country and everyone is nice, I can't wait to go back with my husband.

Re: Tips for traveling to Ireland

Re: Tips for traveling to Ireland

One of the most amazing places to visit (sorry, Australia still has it beat LOL) but it is sooo nice there! We went there for 2 weeks for our honeymoon! We can't wait to go back! We rented a car, which DH was scared to drive, but I got used to it LOL. The roads can be narrow when out of Dublin, but it only made it more fun! lol. The people there are all so kind! Def make sure to visit Balarney Castle. We made friends in Irelenad that told us also not to kiss the stone...it's only for tourists HA. So we didnt...but got a TON of pics there! Make sure to have extra memory cards....I can't believe that I used to my 1G card! HA. We bought rain jackets there... weren't expensive if I recall, but now we have ireland ones to remember our trip each time it rains back home. One place I think you should check out also is Ashford Castle..that was the most beautiful castle we stayed at, and they offer so much! We learned how to fly a falcon, horse back riding, fishing, sailing, archary...it was just too much fun! When we go back, that will be the ONLY place we stay!! Def talk to as many locals as possible... you'll be surprised how many friends you will really make! Plus, they love NYers HA. Also, DH and I found out alot about our family history by talking to them! Just try to take it all in. When it was time to come home, I was soo sad to be leaving. Thus, we can't wait to go back and do it all again!!

Re: Tips for traveling to Ireland

my advice is get an updated GPS lol! We rented a car and the GPS wasn't updated. Apparently they built a new highway and the GPS was taking us through all these mountains and dirt roads. It took us hours to get somewhere that should only have taken 30 mins. We found out 5 days into the trip
It was a beautiful trip though! We stayed at Bunratty townhouses and traveled to Galway, Dublin and Limerick. Loved it!! Have a great time!