I stood by your Atlantic sea
-Phil Colclough, The Dubliners
And sang a song for Ireland
This spring I finally crossed off a huge bucket list experience and went to Ireland for the first time. I’ve been in love with everything Irish since I first watched Riverdance on PBS as a kid in the late 90s: the music, the language, the mythology… However, it took me over twenty years to finally visit Ireland for the first time.
It was particularly special to travel to Ireland with my family since my dad’s side is predominately of Irish descent. We made some awesome, lasting memories there. However, we learned a few things (sometimes the hard way) as we traveled around.
If you are planning to visit, here are some tips for traveling to Ireland for the first time. Some of these tips were told to me before I left, and I’m passing them on, while others are things I wish I had known before going to Ireland.
May this list aid you in having an amazing first trip to Ireland!
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Things I Learned While Visiting Ireland for the First Time
Visit Ireland During the Shoulder Seasons
One of the best decisions we made for our first trip to Ireland was to visit in April. While many will say that the best time of year to visit Ireland is the summer months, I’m so glad we went in spring instead. If you want to avoid other tourists when visiting Ireland for the fist time, I highly recommend going during a shoulder season.
The weather in Ireland is, of course, unpredictable. May and June are the sunniest months in Ireland, with July and August being the warmest months. Thus, the summer months have the most crowds and highest prices. Ireland’s shoulder seasons are spring and fall, since they are on either side of the busy season.
Surprisingly, we had almost a whole week of sunshine when visiting Ireland in April, and when it did rain, it was only passing showers. So not only did we have beautiful weather, but we were able to explore places without being overly crowded.
Want to know one of the best things about visiting Ireland in April? It’s the middle of lambing season! If you want to see cute baby sheep frolicking in the fields, spring is the best time to visit.
Pack Different Types of Layers
One of the most common pieces of advice I heard about visiting Ireland for the first time was to pack layers. I am so glad I heeded the warnings.
As I said, the weather in Ireland is unpredictable, with it being sunny at one moment and raining the next. Having different layers helped us keep up with whatever Mother Nature threw at us.
The main four layers I was happy to have were:
- A long-sleeved thermal base layer (like this Smartwool Merino Base Layer)
- A fleece jacket
- A packable puffer (like this Pioneer Camp Lightweight Packable Puffer)
- A long raincoat or waterproof coat
Various combinations of these items kept me warm and dry in the changeable Irish weather.
Book Tickets in Advance
If there is something you want to see during your first trip to Ireland, make sure to reserve tickets in advance. Many popular tourist destinations and experiences can be booked ahead of time.
Booking tickets will save you a) missing out if something is sold out b) time waiting in lines and c) on occasion, some money. Meanwhile, some places like the Guinness Storehouse, require you to book tickets in advance.
My family and I tried going to the Book of Kells Experience in Dublin but didn’t have tickets. It wasn’t sold out yet, but we had to find wifi to book tickets. We could’ve saved ourselves the trouble and just reserved tickets beforehand.
If you’re visiting Ireland for the first time, reserve your tickets for these popular attractions before you go:
- Dublin: Guinness Storehouse Entry Ticket
- Dublin: Teeling Whiskey Tour and Tasting
- Galway: Aran Islands Day Trip & Cliffs of Moher Cruise
Trad Music Doesn’t Start Until Late
One of the things I was most looking forward to when visiting Ireland for the first time was traditional, or “trad,” music in Irish pubs. There’s nothing like live music in Ireland.
Live music isn’t hard to come by; most pubs will have live music at night, especially on the weekends. However, if you are jet-lagged, it may be a bit harder to experience a true trad session. Most live music doesn’t start until after 9 pm.
In fact, a pub we went to in Dingle advertised music and set dancing “at 8:45ish.” This was indeed true and by 10 pm the place was packed! If you’re a night owl, then the Irish pub scene is for you.
Rent a Car (But Read Your Paperwork Carefully)
To someone visiting Ireland for the first time, the best tip I can give is to get out of Dublin. While the capital city has plenty to see, there is so much more to see around the rest of the country. To do this though, you will need to rent a car.
To most international tourists, driving in Ireland can seem daunting. The Irish drive on the left-hand, many of the roads are narrow and twisty, and sometimes you have to brake for sheep. However, I’m here to tell you that braving these things is worth it!
Renting a car in Ireland is relatively easy; there are rental places such as Hertz and Budget in all of the major hubs. My family and I went with Irish Car Rental, which outsourced us to the Europcar at Dublin Airport. When you pick up your car, make sure to read over your contract and receipt carefully! Double-check you haven’t been “upgraded” to something larger/ more expensive.
Also, it is worth paying for the CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) Insurance when renting a car in Ireland. Many major credit cards that normally have some kind of car rental insurance in the US do not apply in Ireland (even if that’s the card you use to make the reservation). If you’re new to driving on the left-hand side of the road, you’ll probably have some scratches, so best to play it safe.
Always Have a €0.50 Coin Handy
When my sister and I found public restrooms in Kilkenny, we didn’t know that you needed a coin to unlock a stall. We only had one €0.50 between the two of us…so we broke the rules and paid for one use and I held the door for her when I was done. (Sorry, Kilkenny!)
Many tourist attractions, gas stations, and pubs have restrooms available for customers. However, it doesn’t hurt to just keep €0.50 in your pocket just in case.
Treat Yourself to a Castle Stay
Ireland is full of castles. Some are ruins, but others have been lovingly cared for and/or restored. It’s quite common to find castles that have been converted into hotels…because, I mean, what else are you going to do with all of that space?
Staying in a castle hotel was one of my favorite things that we did when visiting Ireland for the first time. It was one of those splurges that was worth every penny. If it’s within your budget to stay a night or two at a castle, I cannot recommend it enough.
Where we stayed: Markree Castle Hotel in County Sligo
You might expect a castle stay to be kitschy, but my experience was rather the opposite. Markree Castle was magical. Attention to detail was paid to every corner of the castle and grounds. I couldn’t stop exclaiming how beautiful everything was!
Differences in Linens
One small difference I’ve found between traveling in America and Europe is the difference in bed and bath linens.
Now, I knew not to expect top sheets on the beds in Ireland, based on my travels to the UK and Iceland. However, it wasn’t until my first trip to Ireland that I noticed the lack of washcloths. The larger hotels that we stayed in provided washcloths, as I’m sure they get many American tourists, but the smaller bed and breakfasts didn’t have them.
It was a small thing to me, but it was a big thing for my mother, so if you prefer to use a washcloth, best pack your own.
Dubliners Walk Fast
As a New Yorker, I didn’t expect to come across other quick-paced pedestrians when I was in Ireland for the first time. Dubliners gave us a run for our money, so to speak.
Like in any large city, if you want to take a photo or check your phone, it’s polite to pull over on the sidewalk and allow others to pass.
Ireland Really Does Look Like a Postcard
Perhaps my favorite thing I learned while traveling in Ireland for the first time is that Ireland truly does look like what you see in the movies and on postcards. Whether it’s the azure-colored waters of Dingle, the moss-covered trees in Killarney National Park, or any rolling green pasture you drive by, everything looks like a postcard.
The natural beauty of Ireland will be what stays with me for a long time. It’s also what is already calling me to return!
If you were looking for things to know before going to Ireland for the first time, I hope this list has helped. We had such a fun first trip to Ireland, and I can’t wait to go back.
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