Overview
There is something for everyone in Ireland. Whether it is the Irish Whiskey, the lush countryside, golfing, shopping, bicycling, charming pubs, castles, friendly people, music, hearty food, or wandering sheep. There is still lots of tradition in Ireland's culture that hasn't been modified much by the modern times. Visitors admire the service oriented people and the low crime rate. Many people find Ireland's charm irresistible.
You will find many different accommodation types to please all styles of travel and levels of comfort. You can sleep in a castle or a lighthouse or a quaint bed and breakfast. If you can, I recommend staying at as many different types of accommodations as time and budget allows. Ireland is a small country but it is best to take your time and explore all the nooks and crannies that you can.
Another aspect that travelers like about Ireland is the temperate climate and the long hours of daylight during the summer. While summer is a very popular time of year for people to visit Ireland, people enjoy the amber tones of the fall foliage as well as the fresh blooms in the spring.
There are several ways you can tour this country from escorted tours large and small to private chauffeured tour to independent self-driving tours. The possibilities are endless in Ireland!
Make sure you plan your trip with me as I am an Ireland Gold Specialist!
You can learn more about this exquisite destination by visiting my Ireland Guides:
Location
Ireland is an island off the western coast of the U.K. and it is separated by the North Channel, St. George's Channel and the Irish Sea. The coastal areas of Ireland tend to be mountainous and rugged, especially on the western side of the island, which wards off the Atlantic Ocean with an almost unbroken line of cliffs and mountains. By contrast, the central portion is relatively flat, fertile farmland that is dotted with bogs.
The island is about 300 miles long and 170 miles wide, and covers approximately 32,600 square miles. There are about 6 million people living on the island – 4.3 million people live in the Republic of Ireland and 1.7 million in Northern Ireland.
Ireland's natural elements that make the countryside so green make the weather cool and damp—it rains and mists a lot. The weather, even in summer, can be damp and chilly, but then no one goes to Ireland for the weather.
Best Time To Visit
Northern Ireland - The best time to visit Northern Ireland is generally summer (June–August) for the best weather and longest daylight hours, or the "shoulder" months (May, September, and early October) for fewer crowds. For specific interests, spring (April-May) is ideal for wildlife and St. Patrick's Day, while winter (November-March) offers the fewest crowds but also has the coldest weather.
Ireland - The best time to visit Ireland is during the seasons of spring (April-May) or autumn (September-October) for a balance of milder weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices compared to the peak summer months. Summer (June-August) has the warmest weather and longest days, ideal for outdoor activities, but is also the most crowded and expensive. Winter (November-March) offers the lowest prices and fewest crowds but can have cold, wet, and windy weather, with shorter sightseeing hours and some attractions closed.
DID YOU KNOW?
The term "honeymoon" comes from the days when mead—a drink made from fermented honey—was Ireland's favorite alcohol. According to tradition, newlyweds were given enough mead to toast each other until the next full moon.
What's that smell? It's probably the smoke from burning peat, which is still a popular fuel in Ireland. In some rural areas, you may see piles of peat bricks drying beside the bogs where they were cut.
The former headquarters of the pirate queen Grace O'Malley (Granuaile) is on Clare Island. For 40 years she commanded fleets and armies, leading rebellions against Queen Elizabeth I of England. Defeated, O'Malley was sent to London to pay homage to the queen. The Irish say it was a meeting of equals.
Thousands of people make the pilgrimage to climb Ireland's most sacred mountain, Croagh Patrick (Cruach Phadraig) in County Mayo. The annual climb takes place on Reek Sunday (the last Sunday in July).
County Kerry was the first part of Europe sighted by Charles Lindbergh in his 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic. Using a compass and dead reckoning, the aviator was less than 3 mi/5 km off course after his long ocean crossing.
The Transatlantic Cable, a forerunner of the internet, came ashore at Valencia Island in County Kerry. Because of this, IRA members in New York heard of the Easter Rising in Dublin before the news reached the U.K. government in London.
Sample ItierarIes
You could spend many weeks in Ireland and not see all the wonderful sights but most people spend about 10-14 nights. I have several options for examples as you can do a self-drive, guided or private chauffeured but they all can be easily adapted for other travel styles.
Some of my trusted travel partners also have guides on Ireland that also include some sample itineraries:
