Top 10 Tips for Touring in Ireland

You’ve put off visiting the Cliffs of Moher, Killarney National Park, and Blarney Castle long enough. It’s finally time to take that trip to Ireland!

Tip 1 – The Weather

Ireland is famous for its damp but unpredictable climate. It can be bright and sunny one minute, and windy and rainy the next. So be sure to pack for multiple climates and always keep a raincoat or umbrella nearby!

Tip 2 – Currency in Ireland and Northern Ireland

You’re going to need two currencies if you plan on travelling north and south. Ireland is a part of the EU whereas Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom. In the Republic we use Euros as the legal tender whereas once you enter the North you will be using British Sterling.

Tip 3 – Resist the temptation to follow the pack

While it is true that the Cliffs of Moher, Blarney Castle, and the Ring of Kerry are insanely beautiful, don’t be afraid to take the advice of a travel agent, or even someone who’s already been – try the East Coast too, travel deeper into West Cork, instead of going from Dublin to Cork and stopping in Cashel, try Kilkenny and Wexford instead! Ireland has over 30,000 castles and it’s surrounded by ocean and breath-taking cliff edges and coastline. You can have a phenomenal vacation in less known areas if you ask the right questions!

Tip 4 – Order Murphy’s instead of Guinness

It’s kind of like Coca-Cola or Pepsi and McDonald’s or Burger King – Guinness has captured the global audience, but Murphy’s is a treasured secret. Murphy’s Irish Stout maintains a loyal following throughout much of the country, and especially in my hometown of Cork. You can find it next to the Guinness in most Irish pubs and you’ll find that it has its own unique dark flavour.

Tip 5 – If you’re going to the Cliffs – GO EARLY!!

Remember that great children’s book – Where’s Wally? Consider wearing bright eye-catching clothes if you venture here after midday.

Tip 6 – Go off-peak if possible

Ireland’s tourist activity is quite seasonal. It kicks off on St Patricks day in March and runs till early September. My advice, get in March or April, otherwise go for September. May through to August is very popular so you can expect to be queuing, in convoy with 100 tour buses and that authentic Irish pub you have been dreaming about will be like Vegas.

Tip 7 – You don’t have to fly in and out of Dublin

Ireland has two international airports and several other domestic airports. If you are flying into Ireland on a private tour, avoid the temptation to do a full circle back to Dublin. This will ultimately cause your tour to end on a long cross-country drive to get back to Dublin. You instead should consider using Shannon in the West or Belfast in Northern Ireland as departure locations, so not to interfere with your vacation. Every last minute of vacation time should be engaging and enjoyable!

 

Tip 8 – Driving in Ireland

We drive on the left over here, and the steering wheel is on the right. Now on top of that add in the whole manual transmission issue plus road networks designed originally for a donkey and cart in many cases. It can be extremely dangerous on Irish roads, especially in heavily condensed, small towns and country routes that have HGV’s and Agricultural traffic. Please do consider taking a tour bus or private driver guide – we have an option to suit every person, group or budget so please consider it!

Tip 9 – English is not the first language in Ireland

Don’t be surprised to come across the native language while in Ireland – Gaelic. It will appear first on all signposts, it will be spoken first in the airport announcements and it will become more and more prevalent the further west into rural Ireland you travel.

Tip 10 – Have a blast!

One thing is certain, in Ireland you can expect to be laughing and smiling. It is a country where even the politicians find it hard keeping a straight face most of the time and nobody really takes them too seriously anyway! Get out and about in the evenings, sit in with some locals during a session at the pub, catch a game of Hurling or Gaelic Football, sing a few songs and dance the odd jig… shur look it, tis only a bit of craic.

https://celticchauffeurvacations.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092683491320

https://www.instagram.com/bespoke_excursions/

https://celticchauffeurvacations.com/tours/

https://celticchauffeurvacations.com/build-your-tour/