The Emerald Isle is known world-wide thanks to its beauty, culture and history. People around the globe celebrate St Patrick’s Day, listen to Irish music, drink Guinness beer and read Irish literature. Let’s not forget about its natural beauty, stunning coastlines and mystical castles.

Read more cool things about Ireland on our experts' blog.

The weather conditions in Ireland can change quickly and often in all regions of the country. Although the climate isn’t extreme, the locals are fond of saying that you can experience all four seasons in a day. Make sure to dress the part and nothing will stop you from enjoying your trip!

From grand historic castles to atmospheric ruins, there are castles dotted all over Ireland. Estimated at over 30,000 there are too many to visit during your tour. For this reason, we’ve compiled our 15 favourite Irish castles in this blog so you can decide which ones you want to see.

English and Irish (Gaelic) are the two main languages of the Republic of Ireland. However, the Gaelic-speaking Irish are bilingual, so you won’t need a language book. You may encounter some signs in Gaelic throughout your tour, but you can check out our wee guide to learn more.

The Republic of Ireland is part of the European Union and uses the Euro (€, EUR) as currency. In Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, the currency is the Pound sterling (£, GBP). Find out more in our guide about Ireland’s currency and money.

Ireland is a very safe place to visit! It has recently been ranked amongst the 15 safest countries in the world. As in other European countries, pickpocketing and petty theft can occasionally occur in cities, but the risk of encountering crime in the rural areas is very low.

Dublin is the capital of the Republic of Ireland and Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland. All our Ireland tours start from Dublin. If you fly into a different Irish city, get in touch so we can book you a private transfer to Dublin or customise your tour to start from a different location.

EU or EEA citizens, as well as those carrying passports from the UK, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, do not need visas for short-term travel in Ireland. If you are visiting from another country, please check the Irish Government website to see if you need a visa and how to apply.

Yes, you can. Our Ireland tours can start on any day between April and October. When you’ve picked your favourite package and you’re ready to book, simply pick a date in the calendar that suits you best. Your personal travel consultant will then get in touch to confirm your details.

We recommend that you do not organise flights until we have confirmed your package. Once you book your tour with us, one of our travel agents will contact you within two working days with more details about your arrangements. You can then book your flights with the confirmed start date of your tour.

There is much to explore in Ireland. We believe one of our adventures tours of Ireland will allow you to see the Emerald Isle at its best and enjoy its highlights.

Some must-do activities in Ireland include:

• Discovering the capital, Dublin, from where you can take day trips to nearby attractions.
• Walking along the impressive Cliffs of Moher.
• Driving the Wild Atlantic Way to see the stunning coastline.
• Tasting the Irish flavour with some local food, whiskey and beer.
• Heading to Northern Ireland to visit Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway.
• Exploring the gems and villages along the Ring of Kerry.
• Learning about your Irish heritage.

You can read about some of our favourite places in Ireland here.

While it is technically possible to sometimes see the northern lights from Ireland (especially in County Donegal, thanks to its northerly location and lack of light pollution), it’s not the ideal location to do so.

Why not head inside the Arctic Circle instead? You have a higher chance to spot the northern lights in Iceland or see them during an aurora safari in northern Norway.

When creating packages, our tour operators aim to show our visitors the very best of Ireland. But we understand everyone’s dreams are different. Should there be anything in particular you’re keen to see, or if you want to stay longer to explore more of Ireland, simply get in touch so we can help arrange it all for you.

For the best weather and longer daylight hours, we recommend visiting between April and October. At this time, attractions also have longer opening hours meaning you can make the most of your tour! Read more about the best time to visit Ireland depending on your interests.

The Irish weather can be variable and unpredictable, even between April and October. Regardless of the weather, this is what we recommend packing for your trip to Ireland:

• Light and waterproof layers, including a rain jacket
• Light gloves
• Hat
• Scarf
• Your camera!
• Binoculars for wildlife and bird watchers
• A pair of walking shoes (or boots) if you intend on going for coastal walks

Read more in our packing guide.

While Ireland is an island, you can easily drive or take a bus to Northern Ireland (which is part of the UK). From there, you can hop on the ferry to the south of Scotland. If you’re interested in combining both countries, keep an eye out for our upcoming joint Ireland and Scotland tours!

When you visit Ireland, you may hear the word ‘craic’ (pronounced crack) or the expression ‘What’s the craic?’ from the locals. It’s a popular Irish word meaning ‘enjoyable time’. It can also mean fun and entertainment.