Why Travel to Ireland?
Ireland is a magical and mysterious place to visit. IT will leave something unexplainable with you. We are not sure if it is the vast coastline, the is the best time to visit Ireland as the weather is very comfortable (70s and 80s) but that is when it is the most expensive and the most crowded. Like most European destinations shoulder season is best. That means September or May could give you a break on costs and minimize the crowds. The roads are small and the huge tour buses ae many in the peak of summer so keep that in mind. We actually went in November on a whim, one year. It was a bit rainier than other months but never got below 50 degrees. We wore layers and rain gear, and we had the best time. Expect the weather to be a little sporadic but find things to do that work with the change in the climate. We realized after this trip, why the pub culture is so important to the small villages around Ireland. Nothing sounds better than gathering with friends around a fire with a tall draft Guinness.
Trinity College Library, Dublin
Language and Culture~
Winding Roads Along the Ring of Kerry
Getting There & Getting Around~
is easy to fly into Dublin from many large airports in the U.S. Air Lingus is an Irish carrier and offers good options. It is worth checking out Norse Air, a brand new airline that flies into London. We had gotten a great deal from Norwegian Air before they stopped flying transaltatic and sold their planes to Norse. If you find a good deal on Norse it is worth looking at a smaller flight from London to Shannon on the west or Dublin on the east. Ryan Air is also an Irish airline known for short, inexpensive flights. If you are not familiar with driving on the left, it is not that difficult to figure out. We watched a few youtube videos before trying this. Also if you can book an automatic transmission that may take some extra pressure off. The Irish have a lot of roundabouts so it is a great idea to have a navigator to help you manage to merge. The roads are really great for highway driving. Off-highway, the roads may be narrow and windy. It is just good to keep your eyes on the road and pay attention to narrowing roads and sheep crossing. We suggest getting extra coverage as there is. a lot of brush and narrow buildings to navigate through. But honestly, don’t let this dissuade you as we still laugh about our adventures. There is a train but it is not as efficient. The train is best used from Dublin to Northern Ireland, so if you are interested in that options, check it out. Busses are readily available from town to town as well. We are not huge fans of busses because they bring crowds of people that take away from the serenity of the area. If you can find a driver, we think that. is a better more authentic option.
Rock of Cashel Abbey
Cost Saving Tips~
Much of Ireland is extremely affordable. For instance we stayed in an Airbnb on a 60 acre horse farm, in a family estate for $40 per person. The food and drink are also very affordable. A pub is a great way to immerse yourself in the local scene with some of the best food at a fraction of what you would pay in London and other large cities. The best part of the evening includes a trip to the pub. There you may find a group of locals playing instruments and singing. It is a great way to be part of a local experience. There are some incredible different types of places to stay in Ireland. You won’t find too many hotel chains. Try to find a farm stay or even a refurbished castle. They are extremely affordable and you can find these options on Booking.com and Airbnb. the castles and abbeys, whether in tact or in ruins are incredible sites. Be sure to visit local shops as you will find the best woolen scarves and other homemade wares that make great gifts.
Temple Bar District Dubin
Food and Drink~
Whoever said that the food in Ireland is not that good, did not know what they were talking about. We went with low expectations and were truly amazed. First, the fish and chips were amazing every place we went. Other special dishes like Shepherd’s pie, Bangers and Mash and the famous Irish Breakfast. And of course, the Guinness is the best you will ever taste along with many other beers. Craft beer is also becoming more popular as well. You will not find a bad meal in our opinion.
Cliffs of Moher, Western Ireland
Our Favorite Places~
One of the most iconic landmarks is the Cliffs of Moher on the west side of Ireland along the Wild Atlantic Way. The Ring of Kerry is another important landmark. It is a 179km-long, the circular route takes in rugged and verdant coastal landscapes and rural seaside villages. Skellig Michael is another sought-after landmark. This island was inhabited by monks 1500 years ago. It can only be accessed by boat. It was used in Star Wars as the dramatic peaks jut out of the water. In Dublin there is so much to see with the Dublin Castle and Trinity College. The book of Kells, manuscripts written by monks have been preserved at Trinity. You will also find the famous library which was used in Harry Potter. There are many castles and historic spots throughout Ireland. For such a little country there is so much to see. Once you determine your must see places of interest, map it out for the best route. Keep an eye out for our upcoming post on the Ultimate Ireland Itinerary!
For Inspiration~
Blue Mantle Media captures the beauty of Ireland. We hope this inspires you to start planning soon.