Ireland
Visas & entry
The Republic of Ireland is in the EU but outside Schengen: a Schengen visa does not automatically cover Ireland. Irish and British citizens travel under Common Travel Area arrangements; EU/EEA/Swiss citizens generally use free-movement rights; US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport holders ordinarily do not need an Irish visitor visa for a short holiday, while visa-required nationalities need an Irish Short Stay “C” visa. Northern Ireland follows UK immigration rules, so check UK entry and ETA requirements before crossing from the Republic; rules change, so verify with Irish and UK official sources before travel.
Getting in
- Dublin Airport: The default international gateway, with the broadest long-haul and European network; best for Dublin, the east and most first trips.
- Shannon Airport: Useful for Clare, Limerick, Galway and the west, especially if you want to avoid backtracking through Dublin.
- Cork Airport: The sensible arrival point for Cork, West Cork and a southwest-focused trip; Kerry is reachable but still requires onward road travel.
- Belfast International Airport: Northern Ireland’s main airport for Belfast, the Causeway Coast and routes continuing into Donegal; UK entry rules apply.
- George Best Belfast City Airport: A convenient close-in airport for central Belfast, mainly useful on UK and European itineraries rather than as the island’s primary long-haul gateway.
Getting around
Use rail for the straightforward city links—Dublin to Cork, Galway, Belfast, Limerick or Waterford—and avoid renting a car for a Dublin-only stay. Rent a car for Kerry, West Cork, the Burren, Connemara, Mayo, Donegal and the Causeway Coast; roads are left-driving, Republic speed limits use km/h, and narrow hedge-lined lanes make distances slow. Buses cover gaps and tours can substitute for a car, but rural services can be thin on Sundays and outside summer.
Money
The Republic uses the euro; Northern Ireland uses pounds sterling. Cards are widely accepted, but keep some cash for small rural businesses, tips and contingencies; contactless is normal. Tipping is not compulsory, though rounding up or leaving roughly 10% for good table service is common.
Book before you land
Brú na Bóinne visitor access for Newgrange and Knowth · Skellig Michael landing boats, in the operating season · Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin · Book of Kells Experience at Trinity College, Dublin
- Do not treat Northern Ireland as a casual extension of the Republic: its currency, road signage and immigration rules are UK-based.
- Pack waterproof layers and proper walking shoes in every month; there is no dependable dry season.
- Avoid driving in central Dublin unless you truly need a car; collect it when leaving the city.
- Do not plan coastal drives by map distance alone: narrow roads, weather and photo stops turn short distances into long days.
- Book popular small-town accommodation early in summer, especially in Dingle, Killarney, Galway and on the Aran Islands.
- Temple Bar is a tourist pub district, not a representative version of Dublin’s pub culture.
Entry rules change — verify visa requirements for your passport before booking this country.