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It won’t take long to see how the poetically named Emerald Isle got its nickname. As we tour through Ireland, you will be charmed by the dramatic natural beauty and good-natured locals peppered across the country. Together, we will explore the iconic and the unexpected, Guinness and Grafton Street to Viking legacies. Discovering layer after layer of intriguing Irish history and culture, this small island with a vast and striking countryside is a gem you need to experience. Dramatic coastlines, moving folk music, joyful encounters with strangers. Ireland will stir your soul in ways you could never imagine.
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“It was wonderful! Rhi, our Travel Director, was very friendly, and packed our days full of amazing views, along with fun and entertaining evenings. My favourite things were the drive around the Ring of Kerry & the Giants Causeway. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
- Sherri, Best of Ireland and Scotland
“Our Travel Director Michael who gave us a great commentary and quite a few good jokes as we travelled around a great range of sites. Enjoyed the experiences and had enough leisure time to do some private exploring. For me this mainly included searching out music venues and good pubs.”
- Ronald, Irish Experience
“This tour was packed with a great itinerary. Optional experiences complemented the included activities. We had plenty of sightseeing and photo opportunities, and were encouraged to try foods and drink from each local area as well as partake in local activities. I would highly recommend Britain and Ireland Grandeur with Trafalgar.”
- Sheree, Britain and Ireland Grandeur
Your best place to plan and book Ireland tours with complete ease.
With Trafalgar, you’ll journey into the heart of each destination. Be My Guest invites you to connect with locals, while MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences let you positively impact communities. Plus, on many tours, you’ll overnight at Stays with Stories accommodations with tales as rich as the places you explore. Here are just a few of these unforgettable experiences on a Trafalgar Ireland tour.
Meet Catherine at Glenealy House, County Wickow, Ireland
Catherine Fulvio, your Be My Guest Host – and celebrity chef – welcomes you to her family’s Glenealy House in Ireland. Enjoy a tour of the farm while hearing the family stories before Catherine treats you to traditional Irish fare with an Italian twist. Experience on Amazing Ireland, and Irish Highlights.
Walk through the country’s oldest city and stand on the dramatic Cliffs of Moher. These are just some of the pinch me moments we’ll share with you on our trips to Ireland.
Ancient settlers, celebrated authors, iconic brewers. In Dublin, Trafalgar delves into Ireland’s layers of history and becomes acquainted with the people who have called it home through visits to its many museums.
Ireland knows comfort. Whether it’s in a pot, on a plate or filling a pint, we'll share their national culinary treasures that will warm your heart and fill your stomach.
What to pack for Ireland
Consider your environmental impact when you next take a trip and go single-use-plastic-free by packing a reusable water bottle, a steel straw, your own shopping bags and refillable toiletry bottles.
If you are travelling to Ireland and you are not a citizen of the UK, Switzerland, or a country in the European Economic Area (the EU plus Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein), you may need to apply for a visa. EEA and Swiss citizens do not need a visa to enter Ireland, but will need a valid passport or identity card. US citizens do not need a visa for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days. If you're unsure, check the Citizens' Information website to see if you need a visa to enter Ireland.
While the peak summer season promises the best weather and longer days, the best time to visit Ireland is between March and May, and September to November, when the weather is mild and the country is far less crowded – in September, Ireland begins to explode with autumn colours. While March is a lively time to visit Ireland with St. Patrick's Day, be aware it will be much more expensive and very busy.
Weather in Ireland is generally changeable, but mild, with warm summers and winters that rarely dip below freezing. In the summer you can enjoy highs of around 26ºC (80°F), while the average winter temperature hovers around 6ºC (42ºF) – but Ireland does see a healthy amount of rainfall throughout the year!
The Republic of Ireland uses the official currency of Europe, the Euro (€). Ireland only began using the Euro in 2002, before which it used the Irish pound (£).
It's not compulsory, but when travelling in Ireland it is customary for tourists to leave a small tip of around 10-20% in restaurants, while most cafes will have a tip jar where a few coins can be added (usually around €1). On a Trafalgar tour, we have pre-paid certain tips and gratuities for you such as baggage handling at hotels, service charges and tips for hotel wait staff (for included meals).
Ireland has an excellent ATM network, and you'll easily find them at grocery stores, outside banks, in bars and at transit centres – just look out for any fees you might incur when taking cash out abroad.
Tap water in Ireland is perfectly safe to drink.
We highly recommend guests purchase travel insurance prior to your trip. Please ensure you add the details of your insurance to the My Trafalgar portal.
Your insurance should cover trip interruption, personal injury, medical expenses, and evacuation and repatriation cover including during pandemic events.
While many European countries greet with a kiss on both cheeks, in Ireland you're better off with a firm handshake – though that doesn't mean the Irish aren't very friendly. Talking to strangers is commonplace, but it's best to avoid the subject of politics, Irish stereotypes (no leprechauns, please), and clichés (people don't really greet each other with "top of the morning"). "Slagging" is also a popular Irish pasttime, so don't be offended if locals start making fun of you.
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