Top Vacations in Ireland

Ireland is a very safe country to visit and crime is relatively low. In fact, the Emerald Isle was named one of the most peaceful places in the world by The Global Peace Index. Should you need any help, you can contact us on our 24/7 emergency line and we’ll handle any issues while keeping you safe and informed.

Ireland is made up of two countries. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, along with England, Scotland and Wales. The rest of Ireland is called the Republic of Ireland, which is independent of the United Kingdom.

Famed for its beautiful landscapes and vibrant cities, Ireland regularly graces the pages of magazines like National Geographic, Conde Nast Traveler and Forbes as an unmissable destination. The vast sea views, lush rolling hills, and historic Irish castles and embattlements alone are great reasons to visit. 

Ireland is also well-known for its warm hospitality and was even named the friendliest country in the world by Lonely Planet, so you don’t ever have to worry about asking for directions.

Keen to discover more reasons to visit? We’ve written about the top 10 best places to go in Ireland for your viewing pleasure.

The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro, while Northern Ireland (like the rest of the UK) uses the Great British Pound.

People in Ireland predominantly speak English, however, many citizens of the Republic of Ireland are bilingual and speak both English and Irish (Gaeilge).

For fun Irish phrases you could use on your trip, see our language guide.

We recommend that you visit between April and October as the weather is milder and the days longer, giving you more time to sightsee in better conditions. These months are an ideal time to bird watch, hike countryside routes, and explore the remains of Irish castles.

An amazing destination all year round, find out the best time to visit Ireland based on your interests and wish list attractions.

Whether you need a visa or not will depend on where you’re visiting from. If you’re coming from the USA, the UK, the EU/EEA or Singapore you will not need a visa to enter Ireland. 

If you’re travelling from India, Russia or China, you will need to apply for a short stay tourist visa. Find out if you need one and how to apply by visiting the Republic of Ireland’s visa page.

Please be aware that from 2025 the UK requires citizens from a majority of countries to hold an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the country. Northern Ireland is part of the UK, so if your tour includes a stay there, you'll need to apply for one. This ETA also applies for transfers via UK airports. Find out more on the UK Home Office website.

Yes, you can choose the best arrival date for you. All of our tours are available to book online, so you’re able to check and choose your preferred dates and times to travel.

All of our Ireland tours are crafted using first-hand experiences and expert knowledge. That said, it's easy to personalise your tour online. Add extra nights, upgrades, and optional activities to your liking as you go through the booking steps.

If you'd like to personalise your itinerary further, be sure to ask your dedicated travel consultant.

Our self-drive Ireland tours are the most flexible packages, allowing you to add extra nights to the start and end of your trip.

If you'd prefer not to drive, why not opt for a small group tour of Ireland? On these trips you'll travel with like-minded travellers in a minibus, while learning all about the local culture from your experienced guide.

You could also explore on a privately guided tour of Ireland. This way you'll have your guide's undivided attention. They'll take care of the driving while sharing their insider knowledge with you for a truly unforgettable travel experience.

We’d advise that you search and look over flights for pricing and timings, but hold off buying them until your tour has been confirmed by your dedicated travel consultant. Once your package is booked, you can then choose and purchase your flights.

Why? Once you’ve been introduced to your travel consultant, you’ll have all the information you need to make an informed choice on flights and timings. If you have any questions then you can always contact your consultant for advice.

Ireland has an abundance of stunning attractions, historic castles and colourful cities to discover. Here are some of the most popular places in Ireland:

• Cliffs of Moher
• Galway
• Killarney National Park
• Dublin
• Guinness Storehouse
• Belfast
• Achill Island
• Killary Harbour
• The Giant’s Causeway
• Dingle Peninsula
• Wild Atlantic Way

Discover even more incredible attractions in our guide to the best places to visit in Ireland.

Ireland’s weather is well known for being changeable, so it’s important you pack for all eventualities. We suggest that you bring:

• A warm sweater or fleece jacket
• A waterproof jacket and trousers
• A comfortable pair of walking shoes or boots
• Light layers for the summer months
• Insect repellent for summer hikes
• Warm thermal layers for winter trips
• Hat, gloves and cosy socks

Depending on where you visit from, you may need to take a power adapter or converter with you. Read our electricity information for further details. For more advice on what to bring, check out our Ireland packing guide.

In Ireland, tipping is not a compulsory practice but if you have great service and want to acknowledge this, we’re sure that your tip would be appreciated.