Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Ireland

A photograph of Ireland
Photograph · Suicasmo · CC BY-SA 4.0

Ireland here means the state covering 26 of the island's 32 counties; the other six are Northern Ireland, and the two share the republic's only land border. About 5.4 million people live in the 26, more than 1.5 million of them in Dublin on the east coast, where most arrivals begin. Everything else is a direction away from the capital - the Atlantic west and its cliffs and harbour towns, the Celtic Sea to the south beyond Cork, the Irish Sea coast running north. The island is small enough to cross by car in a day, which regularly tempts people into trying it.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Irish and English
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+353
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112 or 999
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type G · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Safe from the mains
Public supplies are monitored; follow any local boil-water notice

Planning a visit

  1. January: no seasonality data recorded
  2. February: no seasonality data recorded
  3. March: no seasonality data recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded
  10. October: no seasonality data recorded
  11. November: no seasonality data recorded
  12. December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Anna Livia
    04 1 hour

    Anna Livia

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  2. Wood Quay
    06 1 hour

    Wood Quay

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  3. Vicar Street
    08 1 hour

    Vicar Street

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  4. The Helix
    19 1 hour

    The Helix

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  5. GalleryX
    28 1 hour

    GalleryX

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  6. The Ark
    29 1 hour

    The Ark

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  7. 3 Wise Foxes
    45 1 hour

    3 Wise Foxes

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  8. 5th Dimension
    46 1 hour

    5th Dimension

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  9. AAAARGH
    47 1 hour

    AAAARGH

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  10. After image
    54 1 hour

    After image

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  11. Ah go on
    58 1 hour

    Ah go on

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  12. Amor Fati
    64 1 hour

    Amor Fati

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  13. An Taisce
    66 1 hour

    An Taisce

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  14. Aquaduct
    68 1 hour

    Aquaduct

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  15. Astra Hall
    72 1 hour

    Astra Hall

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  16. Awe
    73 1 hour

    Awe

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  17. Axis
    74 1 hour

    Axis

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  18. BabyDoll
    75 1 hour

    BabyDoll

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  19. Bacon
    76 1 hour

    Bacon

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  20. Beckett
    81 1 hour

    Beckett

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  21. Beds 1993
    82 1 hour

    Beds 1993

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  22. Bee Happy
    83 1 hour

    Bee Happy

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  23. Bee life!
    84 1 hour

    Bee life!

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  24. Be Nice
    86 1 hour

    Be Nice

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  25. Bí Cineálta
    90 1 hour

    Bí Cineálta

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  26. Biking Viking
    93 1 hour

    Biking Viking

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  27. Bird Lady
    95 1 hour

    Bird Lady

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  28. Birdsong
    99 1 hour

    Birdsong

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  29. Birdy
    100 1 hour

    Birdy

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Ireland be?

Seven to ten days supports Dublin plus one coherent coastal or western circuit. A shorter trip should choose either the southwest, Galway and Connemara, or Northern Ireland connections rather than tracing the entire island.

What entry documents are needed for Ireland?

Irish Immigration explains the documents examined at the border. Visa need, passport validity and supporting evidence depend on nationality; Ireland is not part of Schengen, so a Schengen permission alone does not settle Irish entry.

What is the best way to travel around Ireland?

Dublin is the largest air gateway, with Shannon and Cork useful for western and southern routes. Intercity rail and coach links serve the main cities, while rural peninsulas and small settlements often require a car or planned bus connection.

When is a practical time to visit Ireland?

May to September offers longer daylight for road and coastal itineraries. Rain and wind remain possible throughout the year, so ferry crossings and exposed walks need a current forecast rather than a seasonal assumption.

What money and payment basics apply in Ireland?

Ireland uses the euro (EUR). The cited national tourism source does not record a universal payment rule; confirm card acceptance for rural transport, small accommodation and deposits, and retain an alternative.

What practical safety details should I save for Ireland?

Emergency services in Ireland answer 112 or 999. Type G sockets use 230 V, and mains tap water is recorded as safe.