Green headlands, lively pubs and wild Atlantic coastline.
Ireland is a country of green fields, dramatic sea cliffs and small towns full of music. Dublin has Trinity College, Georgian squares and plenty of pubs, while the west is all rugged coast: the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula and the lakes and bogs of Connemara near Galway. Newgrange and Glendalough reveal ancient and monastic history.
The Wild Atlantic Way makes for a classic road trip, with stops for seafood chowder, brown bread and live traditional music in the evening. Rain is always possible, but long summer days make up for it. May to August is best, with the most daylight and mildest weather; spring and autumn are quieter, and winter is short, wet and windy.
Best time to visit Ireland
May, June, July, August.
Places to visit in Ireland
Dublin: Ireland's friendly capital of pubs, literary history and Georgian squares, where the Liffey meets the sea.
Cliffs of Moher: Sheer sea cliffs on Ireland's west coast, rising more than 200 metres above the Atlantic.
Galway: A lively, arty harbour city on Galway Bay and the gateway to Connemara and the Aran Islands.
Ring of Kerry: A scenic route around the Iveragh Peninsula, with mountains, lakes, beaches and views to the Skellig Islands.
Dingle Peninsula: A wild peninsula with the colourful harbour town of Dingle, the Slea Head drive and ancient stone monuments.
Connemara: A rugged region of mountains, lakes, bogs and white beaches west of Galway, with a Gothic abbey on a lake.
Essentials
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Language: English; Irish spoken in Gaeltacht areas
Plugs: Type G, 230 V
Driving: Left side
Time zone: UTC+0
Tipping: 10–12.5% in restaurants; not expected in pubs
Getting around: Trains and buses link main towns; a car is best for the west coast
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking