Travel to Ireland
Ireland has vibrant cities and lots of rural beaty spots - this country is one of the most popular destinations in Europe.
Our destination guide aims to give you all the information you need to have an amazing experience in this amazing country. Find affordable travel and backpacking ideas with advice for amazing things to do and how you can be more than just your average traveller. You can also get recommendations for budget travel tips, where to stay and advice how to stay safe.
Get inspired to visit Ireland today!
- Capital: Dublin (population 1,250,000 approx)
- Currency: Euro (EUR) (approx 1euro = £1.20)
- Population: 4,500,000 (approx)
- Language: Irish and English
- International Dialing Code +353
- Area: 70,000 sq km
Top Reasons to Visit Ireland
- See spectacular places
- Sample the local food and drink including a real Irish Guiness
- Experience world famous cities like Dublin which have lots of sights and entertainment
- Enjoy the warm hospitality of the local people
- Watch a real life rugby or gaelic football match - two of the local passions
Travelling & Backpacking in Ireland
Don't leave Ireland before visiting:
- Dublin
- Newgrange
- Sligo
- Galway
- Aran Islands
- Killarney
- Cork
- Blarney Castle and the Blarney stone
Highlights include:
- Exploring Dublin, the chances are if you are visiting Ireland you will fly into Dublin which is the beating heart of the country. Expect friendly locals, lots of cafes, bars, restaurants and nightspots. A visit to the Guinness factory is recommended, a guided visit costs around £12.
- Watching a live sporting event like Gaelic football or rugby, these are two of the local passions.
- Experiencing St Patricks Day, this worldwide event takes place in March where everything Irish is celebrated. Expect a big party and there is no better place to enjoy this event than Temple Bar in Dublin.
- Cork has a lively atmosphere and a young vibrant community, the university here attracts thousands of students and there are also activities like watching Munster rugby club, learning to surf or joining a whale watching excursion.
- Go off the beaten track to see the Cliffs of Moher. Located on the coast of County Clare in the mid-west of Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher are visited by approximately one million visitors a year, making it Ireland's most popular natural attraction. Gazing out across the Atlantic Ocean, the Cliffs of Moher span 5 miles and reach heights of 702 feet. They are also a perfect destination for bird-watchers, as they are home to over 20 species of bird including the endangered peregrine falcons.
- Learn more about the history of Ireland by visiting a castle, there are lots to choose from including Slane, Blarney and Cahir to name a few.
- If you are looking to do a lot of sightseeing around the country you might want to buy a Heritage Card which gives you free access to castles and other attractions for free.
Ireland Travel Tips
Ireland can be an expensive destination to visit but there are lots of ways to save money. If you are travelling from mainland Europe you can often find special promotions on flights with low cost airlines like EasyJet and Ryan Air where you can travel for as low as £1. There is also a bus and ferry service connecting Ireland to the UK which is also cheap but takes a lot longer. Also try to book accommodation in advance and avoid holiday season, also for St Patrick's Day in March everything gets booked up early and beds / rooms are at a premium.
Some of your biggest costs can be accommodation, food and drink which all add up to eat away at your budget. This destination is famous for Guiness and there are nightly events thoughout the country every day of the week, but drinking can quickly eat away at your budget and you might find yourself spending more on drink than accommodation. Try cutting back on your drinking or just trying local pubs away from hotspots like Temple Bar in Dublin where a pint of beer or Guinness can cost around 6 euros.
