What to Expect When Visiting Ireland

Ireland is a beautiful, engaging island and popular with tourists from all over the world. Many choose to visit several times over the years, since one trip simply isn’t enough to take in everything that Ireland has to offer its visitors. Repeat trips have a particular comfort, since those who have visited Ireland before have some idea of what to expect, but newcomers are not so fortunate. If you are a first time visitor to Ireland, you may be wondering just what you might be in for!

Ireland is predominantly English-speaking; although there are communities where the original Irish language is still used in everyday life, you will still be able to make yourself understood! The Irish are friendly, welcoming and warm, and not for nothing is Ireland called the Land of a Thousand Welcomes.

 Ireland boasts over three thousand kilometres of coastline, making for some fantastic diving, snorkelling and fishing opportunities, and has a population of four and a half million. Almost a quarter of them live in Dublin!

The climate of Ireland is temperate, with mild winters and mostly cooler summers. There is no really heavy rainfall, but if you want to catch the sunniest months of the year then visit in May or June, which offer five to seven hours of sunlight daily.

When you enter Ireland, you will need a valid passport or, if you are a resident of a European Union Member State, you will need a national identity card. Visas are not required for several countries, so be certain to check and verify if you are arriving from a country of whose citizens a visa is required. If you plan to hire a rental car when you are in Ireland, you will at the very least need to have a valid driver’s licence issued by your home country; an international driver’s licence may also be advisable.

Pack clothes such as jeans and other comfortable, casual wear for going touring, but be certain to include a few articles of semi formal or formal wear if you plan to participate in any fine dining or similar. Sensible footwear is a must, and rainwear is never a poor choice!

For more information about Ireland, or if you have any questions about our Ireland Car Rental service please do not hesitate to contact us.