Travel to Ireland — everything you need to know
When to go to Ireland?
- May – September — Irish summer : The best time to enjoy the green landscapes and long, bright days. Temperatures stay cool (14–18°C), but the sunshine is more reliable. June and July are ideal for the Ring of Kerry and the Cliffs of Moher.
- March — St Patrick's Day : On 17 March, Ireland comes alive for St Patrick's Day, with parades, music and a festive atmosphere that is hard to match, especially in Dublin. It is an exciting time to visit, but accommodation should be booked well in advance.
Weather in Ireland
Check the weather city by city, starting with Dublin.
- Dublin: daytime highs from 8 to 20 °C depending on the season, 64 mm of rain per month on average.
- Galway: daytime highs from 9 to 20 °C depending on the season, 96 mm of rain per month on average.
What to do in Ireland?
Known as the Emerald Isle for its wild, green character, Ireland is famous for its dramatic cliffs, welcoming pubs and deep tradition of storytelling and Celtic music. Dublin blends Victorian heritage, a literary legacy shaped by Joyce, Beckett and Wilde, and a lively nightlife scene around Temple Bar. The landscapes of Connemara, the Ring of Kerry and the Cliffs of Moher deliver breathtaking views at every turn.
Dublin
Lively and welcoming, Dublin is Ireland's literary and musical heart. Temple Bar, with its traditional pubs, Trinity College, home to the Book of Kells, and the Chester Beatty Library reveal a city of unexpected cultural depth. The Irish pub scene, especially live music nights, is a uniquely memorable European experience.
Highlights : Trinity College and the Book of Kells — an illuminated 8th-century manuscript, Temple Bar — the pub and nightlife district, Guinness Storehouse — the story of Ireland's most famous beer, Dublin Castle — the city's historic core since the 13th century.
Ring of Kerry
The Ring of Kerry is one of Europe's best-known scenic drives, winding for 179 km around the Iveragh Peninsula. The Lakes of Killarney, the Skellig islands, coastal villages and mountains combine to create a landscape of sweeping beauty. Killarney is the ideal base for exploring the region.
Highlights : Skellig Michael — a medieval monastery on an offshore rock, Lakes of Killarney — a national park with enchanting scenery, Gap of Dunloe — a dramatic pass through the MacGillycuddy's Reeks, Torc Waterfall — a romantic waterfall in Killarney Forest.
Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher rise 214 metres above the Atlantic along 8 km of rugged coastline in County Clare. They are Ireland's most visited natural attraction and offer spectacular views of the Aran Islands and Connemara. Nearby, the Burren — a limestone plateau unlike anywhere else in Europe — is well worth exploring too.
Highlights : O'Brien's Tower — a Victorian lookout at the cliff top, The Burren — a unique karst landscape with Mediterranean flora, Aran Islands — Inis Mór and its prehistoric forts, Doolin — a traditional village famous for live Celtic music.
Giant's Causeway
The Giant's Causeway is a spectacular geological formation of 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns stretching into the Irish Sea, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Legend says the giant Finn McCool built it to reach Scotland. It lies in Northern Ireland and is easy to reach from Dublin.
Highlights : Giant's Causeway — UNESCO-listed hexagonal basalt columns, Dunluce Castle — medieval ruins perched on a cliff, The Dark Hedges — the twisted beech avenue made famous by Game of Thrones, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge — a rope bridge suspended above the sea.
Travel budget for Ireland
Ireland is one of the more expensive countries in Western Europe, especially in Dublin, where accommodation and dining are costly. Outside the capital, prices drop noticeably. Northern Ireland uses the British pound.
- Backpacker : 85–115 €/j — Hostels, affordable pubs, buses and trains, plus a few paid attractions
- Comfort : 160–220 €/j — Boutique B&Bs, restaurant meals, car rental and guided activities
Practical tips for travelling to Ireland
- Flight from Paris : A direct flight to Dublin takes about 1h30 from CDG or Orly
- Visa : No visa required — Ireland is not in Schengen, but EU citizens are admitted
- Currency : Euro (€) in the Republic of Ireland — British pound (£) in Northern Ireland
- Language : English everywhere — Irish (Gaelic) appears on signage and in the Gaeltacht areas
- Electricity : Type G (three-pin British plug) — an adapter is essential
- Health : European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) accepted — healthcare quality is very good
- Driving : Left-hand driving — right-hand steering wheel, with narrow rural roads
- Weather : Very wet climate all year — a raincoat is essential, even in summer
Compare Ireland with other destinations