An Ireland vacation doesn’t have to break your budget! Use these tips to make your Euro go farther and help you save money in Ireland! In this article you’ll learn eight essential tips for saving money while traveling in Ireland. From budgeting and timing your trip to finding the best flight deals and transportation options, this…
If you’re planning to visit Ireland in 2025 you need these Ireland travel tips before you begin booking! Below you’ll learn about the new requirement for visiting Northern Ireland (and the UK), the days I recommend you NOT be in Dublin, and what’s new in 2025. You’ll also get handy tips on booking everything from…
It has only happened to me once… but once was enough. A flight delay or cancellation is never fun but a little proactive action + a positive attitude can keep a bad situation from turning worse. My Flight to Ireland Was Delayed Multiple delays began to stack up for our flight out of Chicago, and though…
It’s highly unlikely you will ever need this information… but luck always favors the prepared. The Irish Tourist Assistance Service (ITAS) is a specialist service that provides support and assistance to tourists who are victimized while visiting Ireland. The service is free and confidential. Staff and volunteers speak a wide variety of languages and provide…
Ireland is actually quite easy, regarding documentation, for visitors from North America, Australia, and the EU to travel to for vacation. This article is also available as a podcast. To listen please scroll to the player at the bottom of the page to listen. What Documents Do You Need to Enter Ireland? Most visitors need…
I don’t know about you, but I’m often behind the camera catching all the vacation fun. And though I’m trying to teach them, my kids just don’t quite have an eye for taking flattering photos of people. So I end up with a very one-sided vacation story of my family in amazing places and maybe…
One of the first decisions you will make as you begin planning your Ireland adventure is transportation – how will you travel from city to country, cliffs to castles – while making the most of your time and budget? Consider the insights in this article to help you decide whether to hire a private driver-guide…
When James Stuart lined the drive to his Georgian mansion with 150 Beech trees in the late 18th century his goal was to add a sense of grandeur to the entry of his estate. Nearly two centuries on about 90 of these trees remain as one of the most photographed locations in Ireland: The Dark Hedges….
Use my recent private tour as inspiration for your own Ireland itinerary. Friends & Family Tour through the ‘Heart of Ireland’ – see the itinerary Traveling in Ireland Podcast episode 234
From the eastern side of the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork, the Wild Atlantic Way follows 2500 km of Ireland’s most stunning coastline. Soaring cliffs, Blue Flag beaches, and small Irish villages welcome travelers to areas once overlooked by tourists. Only a handful actual cities lie along the Wild Atlantic Way and one…
I remember buying a Dublin Pass the first time my family visited Dublin. My eldest daughter was 1 and her favorite thing was the Dublin Zoo. Since that trip in 2005 I’ve used the Dublin Pass multiple times, during solo stays, a couples break, and when exploring Dublin with kids. Get more tips for visiting Dublin…
Guide to eating in Ireland. Traditional foods to try + tasty food experiences. How to eat in Ireland with food allergies and picky eaters.
Are you considering a visit to Ireland in the off-season? It’s a terrific time to explore the Emerald Isle! In addition to Ireland’s well-known attractions you’ll also find unique festivals, smaller crowds, and plenty of extraordinary experiences. Read on for expert insights on making the most of your off-season trip to Ireland! This article is…
Is Ireland’s capital city on your itinerary? If so, you may be wondering about the best way to get around Dublin! Getting around Dublin is easy- and you have so many options! But first let me begin with this disclaimer: Do not drive in Dublin. Yes, it is do-able. Yes, Google maps work (to a…
Please allow yourself a minimum of 3 hours to depart Ireland from Dublin Airport to the US when traveling from May thru October. Even in January, Aer Lingus recommends 3 hours. Unlike many international airports with many multiple terminals, the Dublin airport has two, aptly named Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Terminal 2 serves Aer…
Non-EU visitors to Ireland can file a VAT refund at the airport as they leave Ireland. This refund returns the value added tax (aka VAT) applied to souvenir items purchased by tourists that leave the Republic of Ireland within 90 days of purchase. If you aren’t familiar with the VAT (listen to podcast episode 142)…
Renting a car in Ireland can be confusing at the best of times, and when you add in considerations for a family or group, the complexity can increase – especially when you are traveling with 5 or more people! In Everything You Need to Know About Car Rental in Ireland I outline the 8 steps…
The trick to packing light for your Ireland vacation is to choose clothes that can be ‘mixed and matched’ to create different outfits. See my Ireland Packing List here. But if you are staying longer than a week you may find that you need to wash your clothes in something other than a sink. In…
There is a lot to do as you prepare for your Ireland vacation… Flights. Accommodations. Transportation. Tickets for tours and attractions. What to pack. What NOT to pack. The list goes on and on. Which makes it very easy to overlook the three important documents you must check prior to leaving for your Ireland vacation:…
Tourist: a person who is traveling or visiting a place for pleasure. I’m not sure when ‘looking like a tourist’ became taboo, but it is a statement I hear quite often. After a while it became clear that what was really being asked was less about ‘looking’ like a tourist and more about how to…