The little island to the west of the UK needs little introduction. From its ancient ruins that stand against a (usually) grey sky and fabled beauty spots to its ultra-modern cities - not to mention the strong ties that exist between the two countries - Ireland is an unbeatable destination.
Given the family and business connections that link the UK and Ireland it's not surprising that London-Dublin should be the busiest international air route. Cheap flights to Ireland are available on more than 70 routes.
Dublin, the capital, may not have the "must-see-before-you-die" monuments, but it is affluent, cosmopolitan and very buzzy. It has a rich literary heritage, cosy (and smoke free) pubs, elegant Georgian streets and a local population who love to "have the craic".
Outside Dublin, Ireland has a wealth of attractions - fishing in the lakes and in the coastal waters, hiking the Connemara Way, Wicklow Gap or Ring of Kerry, surfing off the coast of Antrim, Donegal, Clare or Kerry.
The Atlantic thunders on the west coast and the Irish Sea is to the east, giving up some of the best seafood in the world. Its farms produce the meat and vegetables for the simple and hearty Irish cuisine.
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The Gulf Stream gives Ireland a temperate climate. Summer is typically dry and in the 20s (Celsius), spring and autumn in the teens, and winter is rainy and in single digits. January and February are generally the coldest months. July and August are the warmest, but are rarely hot. There is rain, lots of it. The Irish have even given it categories such as a soft rain, spitting, a shower, or lashing and pelting. The weather also changes quickly. It can be summer in the morning, an autumn rain in the afternoon, and a chilly winter evening. Dressing in layers is the standard.
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Peak Season:
The peak season for flights to Ireland is summer with its warm weather and long, sunlit days (6am to past 10pm). All rates are at their highest, festivals are in full swing, and all attractions are open. Dublin is busy year-round and doesn’t have a low season. The amount of competition on UK-Ireland routes means that there are usually plenty of cheap flights to Ireland.
Shoulder Season:
Spring and autumn are great times to visit Ireland. The weather is usually fairly good and most of the crowds have left.
Off Season:
Except for Dublin, winter prices tend to be the lowest. However, seasonal hotels, restaurants, accommodations, and attractions usually close from early or mid-November until mid-March or Easter.
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Public transport (buses and trains) is great if you are travelling from, say, Dublin to Cork or Galway, but it can be tricky getting around within counties.
Bus Eireann is the national bus company and there are lots of private coach companies that offer good, well-connected services between the cities. In general, it is cheaper to take a bus than a train.
Renting a car is a good option and rental companies are represented at all the major airports, but shop around for the best deals. If you are pushed for time, you could fly between cities. Aer Arann for example flies from Dublin to Cork, Galway, Donegal, Kerry and Sligo. Ryanair also flies from Dublin to Cork.
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- Raining? Dublin's art galleries all have free admission. The main ones are the National Gallery, Merrion Square; the Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square and the IMMA (The Irish Museum of Modern Art), in the old Royal Hospital, Kilmainham.
- Climb the steep hill to ring the bells at St Anne's Church in Cork. Then once you have arrived, climb the stone steps to a parapet that has 360-degree views of the city. Visitors can also ring the church's eight bells.
- For a glimpse of how people used to live on the furthest edges of Europe, take a boat trip to The Aran Islands off the coast of Galway, or to Great Blasket, a short ride from Dunquin Pier on the Dingle peninsula in Kerry. The islands have small tourist industries, breathtaking views and lots of sea birds.
- Dip into CS Lewis's Ulster. The creator of The Chronicles of Narnia was born in Belfast and spent some of his childhood there, and holidayed there regularly as an adult. Now there are lots of ways to follow him including a black taxi tour. Visit the Northern Ireland Tourist Board website and key in “cs lewis” into the search box for more things to do.
- A favourite of bohemians, artists, and students, Galway has a proliferation of art galleries and an arts scene that includes traditional music, street theatre, and festivals — the best known being the Galway Arts Festival held every summer. The vibrant energy continues into the exuberant nightlife. Galway is also a departure point for the Aran Islands and nearby Lough Corrib has excellent fishing.
- Ireland’s majestic beauty is picture perfect in CountyKerry. There is tourist glitz, but pristine beauty is just minutes away — such as Ireland’s two highest mountains, miles of moorland, and spectacular coastal vistas — and an abundance of prehistoric and early Christian sites. Killarney and the Ring of Kerry are the most popular destinations, and Dingle Peninsula the most beautiful.
- The Shannon region has stunning scenery: Cliffs of Moher; Burren’s limestone; Aillwee Cave’s stalactites, stalagmites, and relics; Lough Derg; Atlantic seacoast; Shannon River; Slieve Blooms mountains; and so much more. History buffs can explore sites such as Bunratty Folk Park, a sixth-century monastery, Celtic exhibits, and museums. All this in a region about 130km end to end.
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Passports should be valid for at least six months from date of entry. It is recommended that all nationals, other than those from the EU, hold a return or onward ticket, and must have sufficient funds to cover intended period of stay. If the stay exceeds the visa free period (i.e. three months), or stay is longer than visa validity, visitors must contact the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
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British citizens travelling from Great Britain to Ireland only require a proof of nationality. Otherwise British travellers coming from another country require a passport. No visa is required if the passport is endorsed British Citizen, British National (Overseas) or British Dependent Territories Citizen. In all other cases, a visa is required.
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