Ireland Travel Guide

Ireland captures the imagination with its lilting charm; its impressive range of landscapes replete with towering mountains, magical woodlands, rolling pastures and rocky coastlines. Sleepy villages dot the countryside and culturally rich cities abound, making the Emerald Isle a must for a wide variety of travellers.

Culturally minded visitors will note that Ireland's arts have permeated the global consciousness for generations, particularly through literature and music. Celebrated writers such as James Joyce, WB Yeats, Oscar Wilde and Jonathan Swift called the country home; Irish dance and music have circled the globe through breakout acts such as Riverdance, The Cranberries and U2.

Outdoor enthusiasts can hike scenic routes such as the Ring of Kerry and explore the beauty of Killarney National Park; history buffs will marvel at ancient buildings such as St Patrick's Cathedral and Blarney Castle; avid readers won't want to miss the James Joyce Museum and Trinity College Dublin. Those simply looking for a good time can find one in Dublin's lively Temple Bar District, or in almost any pub in this lively and sociable society.

Best time to visit Ireland

The best time to visit Ireland is from May to September. The weather can be cold and damp all year long, but the months from late spring to early autumn are the best for sunny and warm weather.

What to see in Ireland

-Take a guided tour of the Guinness Storehouse.

-Drive the scenic Ring of Kerry route on the Iveragh Peninsula.

-View the majestic Cliffs of Moher in County Clare.

-See the Book of Kells at Trinity College Dublin.

What to do in Ireland

-Trace your Irish ancestry at the National Library of Ireland.

-Enjoy the music and nightlife of Dublin's Temple Bar District.

-Attend a service at the impressive St. Patrick's Cathedral.

-Tour Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Blarney Stone.

Getting to Ireland

There are plenty of direct cheap flights to Ireland on budget carriers, so getting to Ireland from the UK is a breeze. Getting to Ireland from the US isn't as quick, but there are direct flights from the US to Dublin and Shannon airports.

Read

Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt, Dubliners by James Joyce, and The Van by Roddy Doyle.

Listen

Cailín na Gaillimhe (Traditional), Irish Washerwoman (Traditional), and Riverdance (Anuna).

Watch

Leap Year (2010), Mad About Mambo (2000), and The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006).

Drink

Guinness.

Eat

Boxty (potato pancake).

What to buy

Claddagh jewellery and Irish whiskey.

What to pack

It's a good idea to pack lots of layers for a holiday in Ireland, as the weather can be unpredictable any time of the year.

What's on in Ireland

Dublin is the place to be on St Patrick's Day for one of the world's biggest parties. James Joyce fans can celebrate Bloomsday in style, held in Dublin each June. The Festival of World Cultures draws music and culture lovers from all over the world.

Did you know?

Ireland is the world's only country with a musical instrument for a national symbol: the harp.

A final word

Europe's 'Emerald Isle', Ireland is a patchwork of beautiful landscapes, quaint villages and cosmopolitan cities that form a thousand-year-old civilisation with a modern attitude.