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Tourism Ireland promotes Ireland as a travel destination in key markets around the world. Find out the latest news, press releases, opportunities and resources for the tourism industry.
Tourism Ireland’s website is packed with holiday ideas, information and advice to help you find accommodation, plan activities and see what’s on. Official website of Tourism Ireland for visitors to the island of Ireland.
Discover the best of Ireland, a land of constant surprise, where town meets country in a landscape of ancient beauty. Explore stories, culture, life and charm of Ireland, and find out what fills your heart.
- Overview
- Why you should visit Ireland
- Best time to visit Ireland
- Lay of the land
- Getting around Ireland
- Know before you go
- How to visit Ireland sustainably
- What to read
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Here’s everything you need to know about exploring the Emerald Isle—when to go, where to stay, what to do, and how to get around.
Bicyclists roll along the 26-mile-long Great Western Greenway. Running from Westport to Achill in County Mayo, it’s one of many scenic trails around Ireland.
Fast Facts
Capitals: Republic of Ireland: Dublin. Northern Ireland: Belfast.
Time zone: Republic of Ireland: Irish Standard Time (GMT+1 Daylight Savings). Northern Ireland: British Summer Time (GMT +0 Standard).
Main airports: Dublin Airport, Ireland’s largest airport, is serviced by major airlines. Shannon Airport, in County Clare, has flights to 30 European destinations and four U.S. airports. (Dublin and Shannon airports have U.S. Preclearance, so U.S.-bound passengers can clear U.S. customs and immigration before boarding). Cork Airport has flights to 32 European destinations. Northern Ireland’s main airport, Belfast International, has flights to the U.K. and European destinations.
Landscapes as green and lovely as everyone says. Literary giants in Dublin; Titanic history in Belfast. A pint and good craic in a traditional pub. The lure of Celtic legends.
Spring: Easter and St. Patrick’s Day draw crowds, but not quite as many as in the summer. It’s a bit easier to navigate popular sites in the bigger cities like Dublin and enjoy wildflower-dotted areas along the western coast.
Summer: The peak season brings plenty of events, like the Galway Arts Festival. Cycle a trail like the Great Western Greenway, kayak a blueway, or hike in Connemara National Park.
Autumn: October festivals, such as the Cork Jazz Festival and the enthralling Púca Halloween festival in County Meath, start filling the calendar. It’s also a great time to sample the local harvest at farmers markets in towns and villages.
Winter: It rarely snows in Ireland, but it rains quite a bit. There are fewer crowds, so winter visitors will feel more of the local vibe, especially in the pubs. Christmas is big, with holiday events like Winterval in Waterford.
Cities: Capital city Dublin is easy to explore on foot, with Trinity College, home of the Book of Kells, not far from the EPIC Irish emigration museum beside the River Liffey. Laid-back Galway has a thriving arts and music scene plus ferries to the Aran Islands. County Cork and Limerick are market counties, with the historic English Market at the former and the Milk Market in the latter. Known for its shipping history—and mid20th-century troubles—Belfast is also gaining recognition for its food scene.
East: In County Wicklow, get lost in Powerscourt and Mount Usher gardens or hike in Wicklow Mountains National Park. In County Meath, history buffs find Neolithic monuments Newgrange and Knowth, plus other Boyne Valley treasures like Trim Castle and Loughcrew Cairns.
Southeast: The city of Waterford’s Viking roots are on display at the Waterford Treasures museums. In Kilkenny city, follow the Medieval Mile walking trail and explore the narrow alleyways that reveal hundreds of years of history.
Southwest: Backdropped by mountains like the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, gorgeous peninsulas, and colorful harbors, Cork and Kerry draw artists and writers. Killarney National Park and the Dingle Peninsula are sightseeing favorites during long summer days.
West: The sea-lashed Cliffs of Moher and the otherworldly limestone plateaus of The Burren are just a few miles apart in County Clare. To the north, County Galway is home to the blanket bogs of Connemara. County Mayo preserves Céide Fields, one of the world’s oldest archaeological sites.
(Follow the trail of Ireland’s legendary pirate queen.)
By plane: There are daily flights between Dublin Airport and regional hubs including Kerry Airport and Donegal Airport.
By bus: Bus Eireann is the national operator with local services in cities and towns. It also runs the inter-city Expressway. Private bus services, such as GoBus.ie, connects cities. Plan journeys via the app or website Transport for Ireland. Services in Northern Ireland are run by Translink.
By train: The rail network is operated by Irish Rail/ Iarnród Éireann, with good connections between main cities and towns. Trains from Dublin to Galway or Cork take around 2.5 hours. Rail services in Northern Ireland are operated by Translink.
By car: Driving in Ireland is on the left. Ireland’s network of motorways (M) includes the M1 from Dublin to Belfast, the M6 crossing the country from Dublin to Galway, and the M8 from Dublin to Cork. Road types include national (N), regional (R), and local (L). Regional and local roads can be narrow and winding, so allow for plenty of time.
By boat: There are seasonal and year-round passenger ferries servicing Ireland’s populated offshore islands such as the Aran Islands. These are for foot passengers (visitors can’t bring cars to the islands).
(Uncover the hidden legends along Ireland’s southern coast.)
Irish language: Irish and English are the country’s two official languages. Irish (a Gaelic language but not called Gaelic in Ireland) was the country’s first language until the 19th century, when English became dominant. While 40 percent of the population can speak some Irish, it is only spoken daily by about 2 percent of the population, particularly in the Gaeltacht, where place names and road signs are in Irish.
Hours: Some restaurants open only three or four days, especially in smaller towns or during low season (October to Easter). Kitchens can close as early as 8 p.m.
Outdoors: Help preserve habitats by staying on the main trails and boardwalks. Consider joining a tour led by a registered guide to reduce your impact. Leave no trace—remove trash when picnicking or camping.
Shopping: Purchase from independent shops, markets, and small farms. Look for sustainable souvenirs and locally-made gifts like Aran wool sweaters, pottery and ceramics (the label will indicate where they are made).
A Short History of Ireland, by John Gibney. The historian takes you through five centuries, from 1500 to 2000, covering key events including the Great Famine and the fight for independence.
Dubliners, by James Joyce. The famed novelist’s collection of short stories depicts life in Dublin in the 1900s.
Travelers’ Tales Ireland: True Stories, by James O’Reilly, Sean O’Reilly, and Larry Habegger. Short stories like kayaking around an island and climbing Ireland’s holiest mountain capture some of the country’s magic.
(For more tips on what to do in Ireland, see our Explorer’s Guide.)
Go with Nat Geo: with National Geographic Expeditions offers Ireland: Tales and Traditions of the Emerald Isle and Iconic Ireland itineraries.
Yvonne Gordon is an award-winning travel writer based in Dublin. Follow her on Instagram.
Learn everything you need to know about exploring the Emerald Isle, from when to go, where to stay, what to do, and how to get around. Discover the best places to see landscapes, history, culture, and nature in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Find out the best places to go, things to do and events to enjoy in Ireland. Explore the Wild Atlantic Way, castle hotels, spas, golf courses, festivals and more.
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Mar 27, 2024 · Because be in no doubt, while Ireland has gorgeous landscapes, a rich history and the best pubs in the world, your visit will only be truly memorable if you get to know the people – friendly and welcoming but often contradictory and inscrutable. 1. Plan on at least seven days to start making sense of the country.
Planning a trip? Or just want to scroll yourself happy? We'll show you an Ireland that's tailor-made for you. Advice. Your ultimate Ireland guide. From passports to public transport, if you've got questions, we've got the answers. Thinking of coming to Ireland? With our need-to-know information and useful tips, we've got you covered. Read more.
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related to: Tourism IrelandBook Car Rental Today & Save with The World's Leading Car Hire Service
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Get To The Heart Of Irish Culture On A Tour Through Ireland, The Emerald Isle. You'll See More & Do More. Unrivaled Support, 24/7. This Is How Travel Should Be.
- Up to 20% off -Memorial Day Sale
- ·Ends May 31
Discover our inspiring Europe tour packages from the US: Capitals, Beaches and much more. Enjoy our most exclusive experiences in Europe with English guides and Premium hotels
