Ireland Travel Guide (2025):
Everything to Know for an Incredible Trip

Our Ireland travel guide is the best resource available for travelers interested in visiting the Emerald Isle at any time of the year. Most of the other guides we’ve seen don’t go much further than listing the more obvious touristy stops (though we love castles & pubs!), or are outdated and generic. Ultimately, they are out of touch with how dynamic and modern Ireland really is. Far too many guides are simple lists compiled by content writers who have spent little to no time at all in Ireland. 

Bog & Thunder brings a lifetime of experience of traveling to Ireland to the table–Kate’s family has roots in Tullamore and Belfast–and she and Max have been visiting together for more than twenty years. Our background in restaurants, hospitality, and sustainability, and the relationships we’ve built along the way in Ireland, allow us to connect travelers to an authentic and vibrant experience of Ireland not found anywhere else.

We also provide small group guided culinary tours and plan private itineraries for people planning trips to Ireland. 

Keep reading for everything you need to know for an incredible trip to Ireland!

Table of Contents

Practical Information

Main Regions of Ireland

Irish Provinces

When to Visit Ireland

Top Places to See in Ireland

Best Things to Do & Attractions in Ireland

Traveling Around Ireland

Eating in Ireland

Small Group Tours in Ireland

Ireland Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go

FAQs About Ireland Travel

Ireland at a Glance: Practical Information

Capital: Dublin

Major Cities: Dublin, Galway, Cork, Belfast

Currency: The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro (€) & the north of Ireland uses the GBP (£)

Official Languages: Irish & English

Entry Ports: Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Belfast, Donegal

Visa Requirements: Tourist visas are not required; American citizens can visit Ireland for up to 90 days. Beginning in 2025, all visitors to the north of Ireland will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)--even if you plan to enter via the Republic.

Main Regions of Ireland

Ireland is an island nation with an invisible border between the Republic of Ireland (an independent sovereign state) and a statelet (known as “Northern Ireland”) with a devolved government that is still considered part of the United Kingdom (hence the two currencies!).

The main regions of Ireland are Dublin; the Southeast; the Northwest; Galway & the West; the Southeast; and the north of Ireland (the preferred term for Northern Ireland). The central part of Ireland is called the midlands. Most places in Ireland are less than an hour and a half from the coast!

As you travel around the country, you’ll notice differences in the landscape and the character of each region. Irish speakers from different parts of Ireland also speak different dialects of the Irish language. The most stark difference in culture can be seen in the north of Ireland, where there is still a lot of British influence.

The North of Ireland: The six counties of Down, Antrim, Derry, Fermanagh, Armagh, and Tyrone make up the north of Ireland, which is still part of the UK. Belfast is the second largest city in Ireland and has a very walkable city center. It’s the best place to go if you’re interested in political history and the Irish freedom struggle. 

Please note: your euros are no good here, as they use the British pound sterling. If you’re driving north from Dublin, you may notice the signage change to miles from kilometers. The Causeway Coast is a popular driving route that passes some of the most popular places to visit, including the Giant’s Causeway and the Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge. 

Dublin: Dublin is the capital of Ireland. It’s very walkable and known for its Georgian architecture. You’ll find incredible restaurants, a ton of free museums, parks, and many of the most popular tourist attractions here. Both the Boyne Valley (Counties Meath & Louth) to the north and Wicklow (known as the “Garden of Ireland”) to the south, are easily accessible for day trips or longer respites from the big city.

The Southeast: Ireland’s southeast is considered to be the warmest and driest part of the country, but we’d still pack layers! Here, you’ll find an abundance of ancient historical sites like Kilkenny Castle and Tintern Abbey, as well as the home of the world famous Waterford crystal. Like its western sister, the “Copper Coast” boasts its own Geopark, due in large part to its geological diversity. The southeast is also characterized by its stunning beaches, like Curracloe Strand and Ballinesker Beach in Wexford.

Galway & the West: Just a quick two hour trip from Dublin, Galway is the gateway to the west of Ireland–the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way. Galway city, home of the annual Galway International Oyster Festival in September is a must-visit destination for food lovers; Connemara in northwest County Galway is a vibrant Gaeltacht region which boasts a stunning, varied landscape of mountains, blanket bogs, and a rocky coastline. Don’t miss the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher are a UNESCO Geopark in County Clare, just south of Galway.

The Northwest: The northwest of Ireland includes Mayo, Sligo, and Donegal. Like Donegal, often referred to as the “Forgotten County” because of its somewhat distant location, these areas tend to be less touristy, but are all the more worth taking the time to visit. Sligo is known for its gorgeous beaches–surfing is a big deal here–and Donegal is an ideal place for outdoor enthusiasts. Westport is a must if you’re in Mayo: the energy here is palpable and contagious.

Irish Provinces

There have been four provinces in Ireland since ancient times, with each representing a different kingdom led by its own rulers. They are: Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Ulster. As seen on a map, the four provinces roughly cut Ireland into four quarters. Though some sports in Ireland are organized according to province, they are essentially geographic units and not necessarily anything the typical tourist will interact with. 

There are also three regional dialects of Irish that are demarcated by province: Ulster, Munster, and Connaght.

[Not included in the list below is Ireland’s Fifth Province, otherwise known as Mide (the Irish for middle); this was the point at which the other provinces met & is considered to be a symbolic place for dialogue according to Irish myth.]

Ulster: The province of Ulster is the northernmost part of the island of Ireland, and is made up of nine counties, including the six that comprise the north of Ireland. These are Antrim, Armagh, Cavan, Down, Donegal, Fermanagh, Derry, Monaghan, and Tyrone. Note that this province includes counties that fall in both the Republic of Ireland and the north of Ireland. 

When Ireland was partitioned in the 1920s, the British kept just six out of the nine under their control–chosen precisely to limit the number of Catholics in the new statelet. Today when people use the term “Ulster,” they are most likely referring to the six counties in the north of Ireland, rather than the province.

Leinster: The province of Leinster is located in the eastern part of Ireland and is home to Dublin, the capital city. It’s the most populated of the four provinces and is made up of Counties Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow.

Munster: Munster is the southernmost province of Ireland and contains two of the country’s largest counties, Cork and Kerry. While it may be true that people from Cork like to call the county “The People’s Republic of Cork,” and those from Kerry like the name “the Kingdom of Kerry,” you are much more likely to hear references to “the Kingdom” in Irish parlance. The counties in Munster include Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford. 

Connacht: Connacht is comprised of counties on the west coast of Ireland, and includes Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo. 

When to Visit Ireland

The best time of year to visit Ireland is May through September, when the days are the longest and the weather is quite nice. This is the peak of the tourist season, however, so expect hotels to be a bit more expensive. Travelers may also compete for reservations in the countryside hotels with wedding parties in the summer. It’s also a great idea to book your tickets for popular experiences–like Dublin’s Kilmainham Gaol or the Book of Kells–as soon as you decide on your dates of travel.

The official tourist season in Ireland runs from March through October. Shoulder season in Ireland runs from mid-April through May, and late September to October. The shoulder season is a great time to visit Ireland because there are fewer tourists, the top places to see in Ireland are less crowded, and the weather is still very mild. Ireland is the home of Halloween; don’t miss the celebrations in the Boyne Valley and in Derry!

While fewer travelers visit Ireland November through February, this time of year has its own advantages. It may be cold and dark outside, but no one does whiskey and a warm fire like Ireland! The winter solstice celebration at Newgrange is a bucket list activity, and if you’re in the Christmas spirit, Irish hotels roll out their decorations right after Halloween. 

This is also the best time to see the Northern Lights! Late January and February is the best time of year to get incredible deals at five star hotels. Be aware that some of the more rural hotels and high end restaurants often close for parts of January and February.

Top Places to See in Ireland

1. Dublin

Walk in the footsteps of some of the world’s literary greats, learn about Ireland’s centuries-old struggle for independence, visit bog bodies or spend some time contemplating works of fine art. We love enjoying a pint at a pub while listening to world class musicians. As Ireland becomes even more diverse, Dublin restaurants practically burst at their seams with talent and flavor. Favorites include Kilmainham Gaol & The Cobblestone Pub.

2. Belfast

Belfast is Ireland’s second largest city, and the capital of the north of Ireland. A dream city for history and literature lovers alike, there are countless opportunities to engage with politics, poetry & literature, music, and ship building. And what’s more: the recent political conflict means it's possible to learn from those with direct experience. Top attractions include the Titanic Museum & West Belfast’s International Wall.

3. The Burren

Moonscape is the best way to describe the unique exposed limestone or ‘karst' landscape of the Burren region. This biodiverse region is not only the home to more than seventy percent of Ireland’s native flora–who live side by side with Mediterranean plants–it’s also an area where farmers have been raising cattle sustainably for more than three hundred years. 

4. Galway & Connemara

Galway is a top foodie destination in Ireland! It’s a bustling university town with a close knit creative community that’s also super walkable. The contrasts in the Connemara landscape are stunning, and the region boasts the largest Gaeltacht in Ireland. With lakes, mountains, blanket bogs, gorgeous stretches of beaches, and a rocky coastline, it’s a hiker’s dream. 

5. Aran Islands

There’s a reason this place is the ‘A’ in writer Tim Robinson’s “ABC of earth wonders.” The Aran Islands–Inis Mór, Inis Meáin, and Inis Oírr–are a collection of islands located off the coast of Galway and accessible by ferry from Galway, Doolin, and Rossaveel. Characterized by rocky terrain, miles of dry stone walls, and ancient sites, these islands are Irish speaking and are great for day trips and longer stays. Perfect for long walks and bike rides. 

6. The Boyne Valley

Nicknamed Ireland’s “valley of the Kings,” the Boyne Valley is just north of Dublin and home to Brú na Bóinne, the UNESCO Heritage Site which includes Newgrange and two other Neolithic passage tombs, the Hill of Tara, and Slane Castle, famous for its decades of rock concerts. The Boyne Valley is also the home of a thriving artisanal food scene.

7. The Causeway Coast

If you liked the Wild Atlantic Way, you’ll love the less-traveled Causeway Coast, which runs north from Belfast along Ireland’s north eastern coast to Derry. You may recognize some of the epic landscapes you see from Game of Thrones, much of which was filmed nearby. Visit the Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge and the Giant’s Causeway, and make time to stop in Ballintoy, Ballycastle, and Bushmills. 

8. Derry

Also called the “Walled City” because of the walls built to surrounding Derry in the 1600s, Derry is known for being the birthplace of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights movement and the location of Bloody Sunday, a massacre in January 1972 in which the British Army Parachute Regiment killed fourteen unarmed Civil Rights demonstrators and injured many more. Don’t miss a walking tour of the city with Bogside History Tours for an engaging history of the city from its founding through the present. Derry also boasts the largest Halloween parade and festival in Ireland. 

9. West Cork

It should come as no surprise that another one of our favorite places in Ireland is West Cork, the artisan food capital of the country. Hidden in the nooks and crannies of this wild and windswept terrain are the ultimate cheese producers, fish smokers, seed keepers, and culinary geniuses that make us so wild about Ireland and Irish food. Favorite places include the lush paradise that is the Beara peninsula and the artist haven of Ballydehob.  

10. Dingle & Ring of Kerry

Chances are that Dingle and the Ring of Kerry are on your list of places to visit if you’re planning a trip to Ireland, and we can’t help but agree with the hype. Dingle is a traditional fishing village that, while chock full of tourists most of the time, somehow doesn’t feel like a theme park. It’s the home of one of the best annual food festivals as well the winter music festival Other Voices. We love the Gap of Dunloe, a mountain pass just off the Ring of Kerry. 

Best Things to Do & Attractions in Ireland

1. Cliffs of Moher

There’s a reason why the Cliffs of Moher are Ireland’s most popular tourist destination! Standing at about 700 feet above sea level, they are just as stunning in person as they are in photographs. The Cliffs are a Special Protected Area for Birds and Wildlife; look out for puffins, kittiwakes, basking sharks, and dolphins. A great spot for a nature walk, and just as dramatic on a cloudy day.

2. Giant’s Causeway

Sort of like a sister spot to the Cliffs of Moher in the west, the Giant’s Causeway is a World Heritage site on the Antrim coast about an hour north of Belfast. This stunner by the sea is made up of 40,000 interlocking, hexagonal basalt columns formed from either from a volcanic eruption and subsequent erosion, or by a giant named Fin McCool, who created the pathway across the sea to Scotland in order to vanquish his rival, Benandooner. Whether your thing is science or fantasy, the Giant’s Causeway is worth the trip.

3. Kilmainham Gaol

The first time I visited Kilmainham Gaol I was captivated by the love story of James and Grace Plunkett, who married in the chapel here the day before James was executed by firing squad for his role in the 1916 Easter Rising. So many incredible stories are housed in this architectural gem, and it’s one of the best places to visit in Dublin to feel close to Ireland’s freedom struggle. Be forewarned, though: tickets to the Gaol sell out very early, so we recommend booking before you leave for your trip.

4. Cycling around Inis Mór

Though I quite enjoy bike riding, you’d be loath to find me getting on a bicycle anywhere near a place with cars, so cycling on Inis Mór was like a dream come true for me. The scenery is stunning, and the only cars on the island belong to the people who live there; most of your fellow travelers will be exploring by bike or on foot. Renting a bike is quick and inexpensive and adjacent to the ferry, and allows you to take your time meandering past the stone walls and ancient sites.

5. Climb Skellig Michael

If you only had time to do one outdoor activity on the entire island of Ireland, you should definitely choose to climb Skellig Michael. Located off the coast of Kerry, Skellig Michael is the site of an ancient monastery which can only be reached by climbing 618 steep steps (sans railings!). Recently, the site was featured in The Force Awakens as the place where Luke Skywalker was in hiding. It’s also a nesting site for puffins! 

Due to its nature as a UNESCO World Heritage site, visitor numbers are capped (make those reservations well in advance!) and note that inclement weather may mean your ferry to the island is cancelled at the last moment. 

6. Ballymaloe House & Cookery School

Ballymaloe House & Cookery School in Shanagarry, County Cork, is like an Irish mecca for food and farm lovers around the world. Myrtle Allen (who went on to earn Ireland’s first Michelin star in 1975) and her husband Ivan opened Ballymaloe House to the public in 1964. Later, her daughter-in-law, Darina Allen, the current matriarch of Irish cuisine, started Ballymaloe Cookery School with her brother, Rory O’Connell in 1983. The Allen family are champions of farm to table cooking, and both the House and the School are a dream to visit. 

7. Newgrange/Brú na Bóinne

It’s nearly impossible to visit Brú na Bóinne, the collection of three Neolithic passage tombs which predate Stonehenge and the pyramids, and not feel a deep, spiritual connection. Located alongside the River Boyne in the archaeologically significant Boyne Valley, Newgrange is famous for its alignment with the winter solstice, when the sun illuminates its deep central passage through a light box in the ceiling. We recommend the tour that includes Newgrange’s sister tomb, Knowth.

8. International murals & Falls Road walking tour

Whether you are a student of history or are inspired to visit Belfast after seeing it in film (shoutout to Kneecap!), you must make a beeline to West Belfast to see the international wall on the Falls Road, which features murals depicting pivotal aspects of the recent political conflict as well as artwork in solidarity with global freedom struggles. Our top recommendation for Belfast is a guided walking tour along the Falls Road given by a local community activist and/or former Irish republican combatant. Collaborative tours of the neighboring loyalist Shankill Road are also available via organizations like Coiste.

9. Slane Castle & Rock Farm

Alex and Carina Conyngham (Mount Charles) are really living the dream at their estate in the Boyne Valley! Their home, Slane Castle, is known for the epic outdoor rock concerts they’ve hosted since the ‘80s (Springsteen, the Stones, Prince, etc.) Alex runs the Slane Whiskey Distillery next door to the castle while his wife Carina runs Rock Farm, a 90 acre organic animal and vegetable farm just across the River Boyne from their home. In addition to being a working farm, Rock Farm offers a variety of accommodation options from glamping to full cottage rentals, as well as a variety of outdoor activities.

10. Killarney National Park

Killarney National Park is just as gorgeous as all of Tourism Ireland’s promotional photos makes it out to be, and it’s within walking distance from the town center. It really is spectacular: thousands of acres of woodlands, lakes, mountains, offering just about every possible outdoor activity you can think of, from kayaking to hiking, horseback riding, and more. While it is known for having large swaths of the park which are largely undisturbed (allowing for flora and fauna proliferation), the park has also been battling rhododendron, an invasive species, for the last several years. We support rhododendron control, and believe visiting the park to enjoy its natural beauty can help to motivate the continued maintenance and care of the park’s ecosystem.

Traveling Around Ireland

Flying: Ireland’s main airports are Dublin, Shannon, Belfast, and Cork, all of which are international. Flying to Ireland via Dublin offers the most flexibility with major airlines and number of flights. Both Dublin and Shannon provide US Preclearance (which means that US-bound travelers will go through Customs in the airport before boarding their flights to the US). Regional hubs within Ireland include Kerry Airport and Donegal Airport; daily flights are available from Dublin.

Bus Travel: Bus travel within Ireland’s larger cities is quite reliable and often less expensive and more convenient than using a taxi service. There are regular bus routes running from the airports to various cities which are also a great value. While the bus lines to rural areas are fairly comprehensive throughout the country, they can be less regular and we tend to avoid relying on them as a form of transportation to our clients as routes are time consuming and there is little to no room for luggage.

Ireland by Train: The God’s honest truth is that the Irish rail system was much more comprehensive a hundred years ago than it is today. With that being said, though, you can travel between Ireland’s four largest cities by rail (Belfast, Dublin, Galway, & Cork). In order to guarantee a seat on the train, you must select a specific seat and pre-book!

Driving in Ireland: Irish drivers drive on the left hand side of the road! This also means that, for a manual transmission, the stick shift will be on your left. Most car rental companies offer vehicles with automatic transmission as well for a slightly higher fee. 

Another important point about driving is that many of the country roads are quite narrow–we’re talking the width of a typical American driveway (yes, that narrow!). There are typically small pull-outs along most roads to allow for cars traveling in opposite directions to pass one another, and Irish drivers tend to be quite patient and friendly. There’s rarely ever a need to honk your horn!

Eating in Ireland

We love the food and drink Ireland is already known for, like butter and roasted lamb and whiskey. And yet Ireland is more than just Guinness and potatoes, as lovely as they both may be. This idea of Ireland as a real place, as complex and perhaps contradictory to preconceived or outdated notions of what it is really like to live and eat there, is part of what inspired us to start Bog & Thunder. Ireland is a multicultural place with a diversity of cuisines being offered in cities and small villages alike.

What this means is that you can also eat incredible Palestinian food made by former asylum seekers, take a cooking class from an Irish Mexican woman, or eat a two star Michelin meal prepared by a Turkish chef using all local Irish ingredients. Some of the most delicious and exciting food in Ireland today is being made by immigrants. 

Travelers to Ireland should expect to find all of the familiar, friendly foods you might eat at your local Irish pub (wherever you live in the world), like brown bread, fish and chips, and shepherd’s pie. Expect to find potatoes everywhere, including at Chinese takeaways, many of which serve fantastic gravy chips as well as fried rice with gravy! Perhaps in part due to Ireland being an island nation, it’s much more common here for restaurants to prioritize local sourcing. 

As Ireland’s reputation as a culinary destination continues to grow, restaurant reservations are getting harder to come by! We always recommend booking for dinner well in advance; most spots that offer lunch are more flexible.

Small Group Tours in Ireland

Bog & Thunder’s flagship offering is our small group, guided food tours. Our guided trips are the best way to visit Ireland if you don’t want to do the legwork yourself and you enjoy meeting new people. Our trips also offer creative, bespoke experiences which are otherwise unavailable to tourists in Ireland. Our upcoming tours include:

Ireland with Akasha Richmond, May 26th to June 5th

This tour is a food lovers dream! Travel with us on a unique tour of the southern half of Ireland, as we hit all of the food artisan hotspots with Los Angeles-based chef Akasha Richmond.

“Guess What? I’m Irish!” with Youngmi Mayer, August 1st to 9th

Our first collaboration with a comedian! Join us while we travel with Korean American writer and performer Youngmi Mayer as she explores her paternal grandmother’s roots and travels to her ancestral homeland for the first time. Part of the I’m Laughing Because I’m Crying book tour.

The Artisan West , September 16th to 25th

Irish farmers have been growing and producing using traditional methods for thousands of years. Today, a new generation of makers, chefs, and artisans are taking these traditions and renewing them for the 21st century. Join us as we lead a tour of the west of Ireland. With Zingerman’s Food Tours.

Ireland Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go

1. Pack layers 

A favorite Irish aphorism is that in Ireland, you’ll experience four seasons in one day. What this means for you is that you must pack layers. It’s best to be ready for rain, wind, sunshine, and cold even on days where a glance at the sky or a weather app might tell you otherwise.

2. Pub culture 

Pub culture is a natural extension of the legendary Irish hospitality. You’ll find an abundance of opportunities to hear live traditional music in every town across Ireland (especially in peak tourist season) every night of the week. Buying rounds is also the standard practice amongst locals, so be sure to return the favor if someone buys you a pint!

3. Rent a car & keep left

In order to ensure that you’ll have an authentic Irish experience, you should really rent a car. Or, if you can afford it, hire a driver! We get the anxiety that comes from driving on the left (Kate, for example, can drive a stick shift but refuses to do so in Ireland), but driving really is the best way to be able to experience the wild, off-the-beaten path areas. It also allows travelers to be more budget conscious (more accommodation options) and to set their own schedules.

4. Tipping

Yes, you should still tip! At least ten percent at a sit down restaurant is pretty standard in Ireland. While it may not be part of the restaurant culture in the same way that it is in the United States, restaurant workers in Ireland still rely on that extra bit of income. The industry is also struggling right now, so please be sure to take care of your servers when dining out.

5. Baby Got VAT 

Ireland adds a standard value added tax, or VAT, of 23% to most goods and services. This tax is usually already factored into the price you are charged at hotels and restaurants. Americans are eligible to receive a refund for their VAT charges on goods such as clothing, souvenirs, books if the purchase amount exceeds €75. Be sure to ask the store clerk for a receipt that you can use at an airport kiosk on your way home. 

Travelers are not entitled to be reimbursed for the VAT charged on hotels and meals.

6. Download WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a great app to use for communication while in Ireland with both members of your family/group and Irish guides and so forth. It works on wifi, and most Irish people will prefer to call you on WhatsApp as opposed to your US mobile number. 

7. Plan ahead

As private itinerary providers, we encounter some of the same mistakes from first time travelers to Ireland. First, please make sure your passport is up to date (valid for at least six months after your trip) before booking your travel! Ireland is a small country, and so are many of their restaurants, so make sure to make your dinner reservations well in advance as well or you may end up disappointed. The same can be said for most of Ireland’s top attractions, such as Kilmainham Gaol, the Book of Kells, and Skellig Michael. We are happy to help you plan your trip to Ireland.

8. What to Read

Food

Ireland’s Green Larder: The Definitive History of Irish Food & Drink, Margaret Hickey

Land of Milk & Honey: The Story of Traditional Irish Food & Drink, Bríd Mahon

A Little History of Irish Food, Regina Sexton

Irish Food History: A Companion, ed. Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire (800+ pages, not for the faint of heart!)

Nature

The Burren, David Cabot & Roger Goodwillie

Whittled Away: Ireland’s Vanishing Nature, Pádraic Fogarty

Wild Embrace: Connecting to the Wonder of Ireland’s Natural World, Anja Murray

Thirty Two Words for Field: Lost Words of the Irish Landscape, Manchán Magan

Listen to the Land Speak: A Journey into the Wisdom of What Lies Beneath Us, Manchán Magan

History

The Darkness Echoing: Exploring Ireland’s Places of Famine, Death and Rebellion, Gillian O’Brien

Ireland’s Forgotten Past: A History of the Overlooked and Disremembered, Turtle Bunbury

We Don’t Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Modern Ireland, Fintan O’Toole

The Irish Famine, Colm Tóibín & Diarmaid Ferriter

1916: The Easter Rising, Tim Pat Coogan

Three Castles Burning, Donal Fallon

9. What to Watch

The Wind That Shakes the Barley

Michael Collins

Small Things Like These 

An Cailín Ciúin 

Kneecap

Derry Girls

Bad Sisters

10. What Podcasts to Listen To

Dyed Green

Three Castles Burning

Amplify Archaeology

Blindboy Boatclub

FAQs About Ireland Travel

How many days do you need to visit Ireland?

The number of days you need to visit Ireland is about seven to ten. Ireland may be a small country, but there is so much to do, and many of the places are linked by one main road. 

How expensive is Ireland to visit?

Ireland costs about the same to visit as other European countries. Dublin hotels are more expensive than those in the rest of the country, but deals are still there to be had. 

What do I need to travel to Ireland from the USA?

You need a passport (with an expiration date no less than 6 months in the future) to travel to Ireland from the USA. You do not need a Visa; American travelers can visit Ireland for up to 90 days. Beginning in 2025, all visitors to the north of Ireland will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)--even if you plan to enter via the Republic.

What is the best way to tour Ireland?

The best way to tour Ireland is by car; public transportation does not reach all of the main tourist attractions. The best way to tour Ireland with a group is via a group tour organized by Bog & Thunder! We also offer bespoke private itinerary planning services for individuals and groups. 

Can you see the northern lights in Ireland?

Yes, you can see the Northern Lights in Ireland. The best time to see the Northern Lights is November through February. The best place to view them is in Donegal, though there are a few Dark Sky parks and other areas with low light pollution that are ideal for viewing the Northern Lights.

How long does it take to drive around Ireland?

In theory, it is possible to drive around the island of Ireland in five days, but we could never recommend doing it that quickly! We suggest taking at least eighteen days for a coastal trip.

How long is the crossing from the UK to Ireland?

It takes about an hour and twenty minutes to fly from London to any airport in Ireland. There are also ferries available that run between Dublin or Belfast and the UK.