Ireland is one of the world's most welcoming countries — a place of extraordinary natural beauty, ancient history, and a pub culture that is genuinely one of the great social institutions of the world. But it also has a reputation for unpredictable weather, expensive cities, and roads that require a certain tolerance for narrow lanes and sheep. Here's what you actually need to know before you go.
Visas & Entry
Ireland is an EU member state but is NOT part of the Schengen Area — it operates its own Common Travel Area (CTA) with the UK. EU and EEA citizens can enter with a national ID card or passport. UK citizens can enter freely (no passport required, though it's recommended). US, Canadian, Australian, and most other Western nationals can enter visa-free for up to 90 days. Ireland does NOT require ETIAS (the EU pre-travel authorisation system) — it opted out. Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay. Ireland uses 230V electricity with UK-style Type G plugs. The emergency number is 112 or 999. Note: if you're combining Ireland with Northern Ireland (which is part of the UK), there is no border crossing formality — you can drive freely between the Republic and Northern Ireland.
Getting Around Ireland
A hire car is the best way to explore Ireland properly — particularly for the Wild Atlantic Way, the Ring of Kerry, Connemara, and the Causeway Coastal Route. Ireland drives on the left (British-style). Roads vary enormously: motorways between cities are excellent; rural roads can be extremely narrow (single-track with passing places in the west). Budget for toll roads on the motorways around Dublin. Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) connects Dublin to Cork (2.5 hours), Galway (2 hours 15 minutes), Limerick (2 hours), and Killarney (3.5 hours) — comfortable and scenic. Bus Éireann operates intercity coaches — slower but cheaper. Dublin has an excellent public transport network (DART suburban rail, Luas trams, buses) — the Leap Card gives discounted fares across all modes. Cycling: Ireland has a growing network of greenways (traffic-free cycling routes) — the Great Western Greenway in Mayo and the Waterford Greenway are outstanding.
Currency & Money
The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro (€). Northern Ireland uses the British Pound (£). Card payments are widely accepted everywhere. ATMs are plentiful. Ireland is expensive by European standards — particularly Dublin and the tourist hotspots. Budget: €80–100/day (hostel, pub meals, public transport). Mid-range: €150–200/day (B&B or hotel, restaurant meals, car hire). Dublin is comparable to London in cost. The rest of Ireland is cheaper — particularly the west and rural areas. Tipping: 10–15% in restaurants if service is not included. Tipping in pubs is not expected (you pay at the bar). Taxi drivers appreciate rounding up the fare.
Irish Culture & Pub Etiquette
The Irish pub is one of the world's great social institutions — a place for conversation, music, sport, and community rather than just drinking. The "round system" is important: if you're in a group, each person buys a round of drinks in turn — refusing to participate is considered rude. Ordering at the bar is standard (table service is less common in traditional pubs). Guinness: Ireland's national drink is best in Ireland — the quality is noticeably better than abroad. Allow the pint to settle (about 2 minutes) before drinking. Traditional Irish music (trad) sessions happen spontaneously in pubs — particularly in the west (Doolin, Galway, Dingle). These are genuine musical gatherings, not tourist performances — listen respectfully and don't interrupt. The Irish are famously warm, talkative, and self-deprecating — engage in conversation and you'll have a wonderful time.
Best Places to Visit
Dublin is a vibrant, walkable capital — Trinity College (Book of Kells), the Guinness Storehouse, the National Museum, and the Georgian architecture of Merrion Square are the highlights. The Temple Bar area is touristy but lively. The Wild Atlantic Way is a 2,500km coastal route from Donegal to Cork — one of the world's great road trips. The highlights: the Cliffs of Moher (Co. Clare), the Aran Islands, Connemara (Co. Galway), Achill Island (Co. Mayo), and the Slieve League cliffs (Co. Donegal). The Ring of Kerry (Co. Kerry) is Ireland's most famous scenic drive — spectacular but very busy in summer. The Dingle Peninsula is less crowded and arguably more beautiful. The Causeway Coastal Route (Northern Ireland) connects Belfast to the Giant's Causeway — extraordinary coastal scenery. Kilkenny is Ireland's best-preserved medieval city. Cork is Ireland's second city — the English Market (a Victorian covered food market) is outstanding.
Practical Tips
Weather: Ireland's weather is famously unpredictable — pack layers and a waterproof jacket regardless of the season. Rain can arrive at any time of year. The west coast is wetter than the east. Summer (June–August) is the warmest and driest period — but "warm" means 17–20°C. The Irish summer light is extraordinary — long evenings (sunset after 10pm in June) and a soft, golden quality to the light. Midges: in the west and northwest, biting midges can be a nuisance in summer evenings — bring repellent. Driving: narrow roads, sheep on the road, and driving on the left require concentration. Take your time — Irish roads reward patience. Accommodation: book well in advance for summer (June–August) and St Patrick's Day (17 March) — Ireland is extremely popular and accommodation sells out. B&Bs (bed and breakfasts) are an Irish institution — often the best value and most characterful accommodation.
