My husband and I have decided we are going to vacation in Ireland. Are there places you recommend we see/visit? Where are some good places to stay? Did you buy a vacation package or tour the country on your own? Any other advice you can give? Thanks!
Update : Also, what type of currency is used, and how would I go about getting my american $ exchanged?
Update 2: And, what is the best time of year to visit, and so that not so many tourists are present?
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Ireland is in the Eurozone, so you use Euros in the Republic, but Northern Ireland is still officially part of the UK, so you use sterling there. Order some Euros from your bank before you go, and let your bank know you're going and ask them about using your ATM card on the machines over here - it's the safest way to access your money, rather than carrying around wads of cash, and certainly cheaper than going the traveller's cheque route. You can also use Visa and Mastercard here, but many places don't accept American Express or Diner's Club anymore, as they are too slow process.
High season in Ireland tends to be July and August, it's not usually very warm then (compared to mainland Europe) and you should be aware that the past two summers were cold and wet, so bring layers, a good rain jacket, and waterproof shoes. There's no guarantee that this year will be any different, but you never know.
Where to stay? Well, it's all good. I personally prefer the west, but there are some great places in other areas too. If you are going to hire a car, I strongly recommend picking a region and staying there and taking day trips within that region, rather than haring around the country trying to see all the sights and getting the photos to show off back home - all you'd see in the inside of your car and traffic. If you live in a city, choose a small town or a village in Ireland, and instead of staying in one of the big impersonal hotels, try a family-run Bed & Breakfast (you'll find loads through the Irish Tourist Board website or through www.familyhomes.ie). Local people are very helpful and can give good directions, and also point you in the direction of places that might be off the official tourist board radar.
Two more things about driving in Ireland: petrol (what you call gas) is now just over €1 per litre (multiply that by 7.5 and you get the price for a gallon) and you will need to factor this into your budget for getting around, but it is very convenient to have your own car in a country where the public transport facilities leave a lot to be desired. Diesel is slightly cheaper, just under a Euro per litre. Also, driving times in Ireland are not going to be the same as in the US. In Ireland, it is physically impossible to drive 100 miles in 100 minutes, the roads are simply not built for it. We do not have an infrastructure for large volumes of high-speed traffic. I live just south of Limerick city, and have to allow 2.5 hours at least to get to Dublin if I'm driving there, and it's only 130 miles. Much much easier for me to take the train!
If this is your first visit, I would suggest that you join a coach tour, safer and easier for you, as here we drive on the left and the steering wheel is on the right-hand side of the car. Google 'touring Ireland' and see what you come up with, or contact the Irish Tourist Board, or try www.discoverireland.ie for more information. Have a great trip!
High season in Ireland tends to be July and August, it's not usually very warm then (compared to mainland Europe) and you should be aware that the past two summers were cold and wet, so bring layers, a good rain jacket, and waterproof shoes. There's no guarantee that this year will be any different, but you never know.
Where to stay? Well, it's all good. I personally prefer the west, but there are some great places in other areas too. If you are going to hire a car, I strongly recommend picking a region and staying there and taking day trips within that region, rather than haring around the country trying to see all the sights and getting the photos to show off back home - all you'd see in the inside of your car and traffic. If you live in a city, choose a small town or a village in Ireland, and instead of staying in one of the big impersonal hotels, try a family-run Bed & Breakfast (you'll find loads through the Irish Tourist Board website or through www.familyhomes.ie). Local people are very helpful and can give good directions, and also point you in the direction of places that might be off the official tourist board radar.
Two more things about driving in Ireland: petrol (what you call gas) is now just over €1 per litre (multiply that by 7.5 and you get the price for a gallon) and you will need to factor this into your budget for getting around, but it is very convenient to have your own car in a country where the public transport facilities leave a lot to be desired. Diesel is slightly cheaper, just under a Euro per litre. Also, driving times in Ireland are not going to be the same as in the US. In Ireland, it is physically impossible to drive 100 miles in 100 minutes, the roads are simply not built for it. We do not have an infrastructure for large volumes of high-speed traffic. I live just south of Limerick city, and have to allow 2.5 hours at least to get to Dublin if I'm driving there, and it's only 130 miles. Much much easier for me to take the train!
If this is your first visit, I would suggest that you join a coach tour, safer and easier for you, as here we drive on the left and the steering wheel is on the right-hand side of the car. Google 'touring Ireland' and see what you come up with, or contact the Irish Tourist Board, or try www.discoverireland.ie for more information. Have a great trip!
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I'd recommend visiting the North East Coast and seeing the Giants Causeway and the Bush Mills Whiskey distillery. I also recommend a trip to Derry / Londonderry and walk the walls. A lot of history in that city.
These are all in Northern Ireland and well worth a visit.
In the Republic of Ireland they use Euros.
In the North they use Sterling (British Pounds) although areas around the boarder will accept both. The boarder is open and can be crossed without passport control etc so don't worry about that.
These are all in Northern Ireland and well worth a visit.
In the Republic of Ireland they use Euros.
In the North they use Sterling (British Pounds) although areas around the boarder will accept both. The boarder is open and can be crossed without passport control etc so don't worry about that.
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I don't really think there are any bad places to visit when it comes to Ireland. Dublin can be fun, but if you're not into partying and drinking, I would recommend going elsewhere. Dublin has lots of great shops and restaurants, but the sights in Ireland are better in other parts of the country.
I would highly recommend doing your own trip and renting a car. That is what we did our first time in Ireland and it went very smoothly. If you have any troubles finding hotels or attractions, the locals will be more than happy to help you.
Trim is an interesting place to visit...cute little town with a big castle. It's the castle where "Braveheart" was filmed. It's a good place to start if you're driving across the country from Dublin. The west coast is a MUST see. I would recommend staying a few days at least and visiting the Burren, The Cliffs of Moher, and the Aran Islands. There is an excellent gift shop located at the Cliffs that is reasonably priced also.
Doolin is a wonderful little town to stay in and a great place to mingle with the locals. There are great little pubs there and unique shops. Doolin is quite close to the attractions mentioned above and you will have no trouble finding them.
If you're into golf, there is a quaint little par 3 course near there also. An excellent way to breathe in the Irish countryside and coast for a couple hours.
Bunratty is also a good place to go, with a large imposing castle that is well worth the visit. There's a reasonably priced, clean, hotel just across the street from the castle, as well as a pub and gift shop. We did a lot of shopping here.
Wherever you go in Ireland, take time to meet the local people and talk with them. Doing that brought me some of my greatest memories of the trip. That's the real way to breathe in the country.
Do your own thing...have fun...be safe...and enjoy. :)
I would highly recommend doing your own trip and renting a car. That is what we did our first time in Ireland and it went very smoothly. If you have any troubles finding hotels or attractions, the locals will be more than happy to help you.
Trim is an interesting place to visit...cute little town with a big castle. It's the castle where "Braveheart" was filmed. It's a good place to start if you're driving across the country from Dublin. The west coast is a MUST see. I would recommend staying a few days at least and visiting the Burren, The Cliffs of Moher, and the Aran Islands. There is an excellent gift shop located at the Cliffs that is reasonably priced also.
Doolin is a wonderful little town to stay in and a great place to mingle with the locals. There are great little pubs there and unique shops. Doolin is quite close to the attractions mentioned above and you will have no trouble finding them.
If you're into golf, there is a quaint little par 3 course near there also. An excellent way to breathe in the Irish countryside and coast for a couple hours.
Bunratty is also a good place to go, with a large imposing castle that is well worth the visit. There's a reasonably priced, clean, hotel just across the street from the castle, as well as a pub and gift shop. We did a lot of shopping here.
Wherever you go in Ireland, take time to meet the local people and talk with them. Doing that brought me some of my greatest memories of the trip. That's the real way to breathe in the country.
Do your own thing...have fun...be safe...and enjoy. :)
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You have to go to the West Coast of Ireland...and see the Cliffs of Moher, the Ailwee caves, take a trip to the Aran islands....how long will your vacation be? - there is so much to see and do in ireland...Dublin could take at least a week. call to the Tourist Information board at the airport when you land, pick up loads of brochures etc. and then take them to the pub with you !
The currency is the Euro - take plenty, ireland is one expensive country You can change dollars anwhere, just be prepared to be charged plenty for the privilege! As for when to visit - spring and summer are always fairly busy tourist-wise, but you don't want to visit in winter - trust me. I'd try april/may - you won't get warm weather but you'll be first in the queue! Have a great trip!
The currency is the Euro - take plenty, ireland is one expensive country You can change dollars anwhere, just be prepared to be charged plenty for the privilege! As for when to visit - spring and summer are always fairly busy tourist-wise, but you don't want to visit in winter - trust me. I'd try april/may - you won't get warm weather but you'll be first in the queue! Have a great trip!
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Most tourists book their own accommodation, I run a small B&B in Co. Cork and people usually contact me direct via my website. Try googling Accommodation Ireland or Hotel Ireland. It depends what sort of accommodation you want, B&B, hotel etc. Always ask for the best price, we are in a recession and most hoteliers are desperate for business (I know!)
Euro is the currency in the Republic of Ireland, £stirling in Northern Ireland (part of the UK). You can travel feely between the 2 countries. I guess you would go to a bank either before you leave the US or when you arrive here and change your $s to Euros.
There are lots of wonderful places to visit but Ireland is quite a decent sized country and you need to hire a car as public transport is pretty non existant outside the cities.
Give yourself a few days to travel around. What you do depends on what you enjoy really. Do you like cities or exploring historical sites or hill walking? Kerry is beautiful but the Ring of Kerry and Killarney are very "touristy". This website has lots of information http://www.discoverireland.ie/
Its very cold and wet most of the year, the best months to visit would be May-August but you can never guarantee it won't rain.
Euro is the currency in the Republic of Ireland, £stirling in Northern Ireland (part of the UK). You can travel feely between the 2 countries. I guess you would go to a bank either before you leave the US or when you arrive here and change your $s to Euros.
There are lots of wonderful places to visit but Ireland is quite a decent sized country and you need to hire a car as public transport is pretty non existant outside the cities.
Give yourself a few days to travel around. What you do depends on what you enjoy really. Do you like cities or exploring historical sites or hill walking? Kerry is beautiful but the Ring of Kerry and Killarney are very "touristy". This website has lots of information http://www.discoverireland.ie/
Its very cold and wet most of the year, the best months to visit would be May-August but you can never guarantee it won't rain.
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