Ireland Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Ireland is compact, welcoming, and full of green landscapes, dramatic coasts, and lively towns where music spills out of pubs at night. You can explore Dublin’s museums and Georgian streets, drive to the Cliffs of Moher and the Wild Atlantic Way, visit medieval castles, and stay in villages where everyone still greets you with a smile. Because the island has a lot of “must-sees” spread out—Dublin, Galway, Killarney, Dingle, Cork, Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway—planning a route and understanding transport (self-drive vs. buses/tours) will make your trip smoother. Ireland is part modern European country, part storybook countryside, and this guide is written to give first-time tourists exactly what they need: money tips, power plugs, language notes, safety, and common scams to watch for.

Cities, Towns & Attractions Popular with Tourists

Dublin: Trinity College & the Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, Temple Bar (touristy but fun), Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol, Georgian squares.
Galway & Connemara: Lively, artsy Galway as a base; day trips to Connemara National Park, Kylemore Abbey, and the Aran Islands.
Cliffs of Moher & the Burren: Ireland’s most famous cliffs, often combined with the lunar-like Burren landscape.
Killarney & the Ring of Kerry: Lakes, mountains, Muckross House, and one of the most scenic drives in the country.
Dingle Peninsula: Cute harbor town, Slea Head Drive, beaches, and views of the Blasket Islands.
Cork & Cobh: English Market, foodie scene, and colorful coastal towns.
Wild Atlantic Way: 2,500 km of coastline from Donegal to West Cork—amazing for road trippers.
Northern Ireland highlights: Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Causeway Coastal Route, and Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. (Remember: Northern Ireland uses the UK system for currency and plugs.)

Good to Know

Weather: Changeable. You can get four seasons in one day—pack layers and a waterproof jacket, even in summer.
Best time to visit: May–Sept has the best chance of milder weather and long daylight. July–Aug is peak and more expensive. Winter is quieter but shorter days.
Driving: Left-hand side of the road. Rural roads can be narrow, with sheep! Take it slow.
Pub culture: Pubs are social hubs; many have live traditional music. Families are often welcome early evening—check locally.
Public holidays & Sundays: Some places close early, especially in smaller towns—plan meals and groceries.

Currency & Budget

Currency (Republic of Ireland): Euro (EUR, €).

Currency (Northern Ireland): Pound Sterling (GBP, £) as part of the U.K. If you cross the border, be ready for two currencies, though cards make it easy.

Exchange rate: In 2025, 1 USD is often around 0.90–0.95 EUR and 1 USD around 0.77–0.82 GBP, but rates move—check right before you go.

Average daily budget (approx.):

Backpacker: 65–100 EUR/day – hostel, self-catering or pub lunches, buses, a paid attraction.
Midrange: 120–200 EUR/day – B&B or 3-star hotel, car rental, restaurant dinners, day tours.
Luxury: 230–380+ EUR/day – castle or boutique hotels, guided day trips, fine dining, extra activities.

Tipping: Not as rigid as North America. In restaurants, 10–12% for good service if not already included. Round up in taxis. Tip tour guides/musicians if you enjoyed it.

Credit card acceptance: Excellent. Visa/Mastercard widely accepted; Amex in many but not all places. Contactless/tap is very common.

ATMs: Easy to find in cities, towns, and petrol stations. If crossing to Northern Ireland, withdraw GBP or pay by card.

Best way to get cash: Withdraw from bank ATMs with a low-fee card and pay by card whenever possible. Avoid dynamic currency conversion (DCC)—always pay in the local currency.

Language & Communication

Official languages: Irish (Gaeilge) and English. English is the main everyday language for visitors.
Irish (Gaelic): You will see bilingual signs; in Gaeltacht areas, Irish is widely spoken. Locals appreciate a “Go raibh maith agat” (thank you) but it’s not required.
Accents: Irish accents vary a lot by region—don’t be shy about asking to repeat.

SIM cards / eSIM

Main providers: Vodafone, Three, and eir.
Where to buy: Dublin Airport, city center phone shops, supermarkets. Bring your passport if asked.
Tourist eSIM: Easy option—buy online before arrival and activate as soon as you land.
Coverage: Very good in and between cities; can be weaker in remote coastal and mountainous areas—download offline maps if road tripping.

Power Plugs & Voltage

Voltage: 230V, 50 Hz.
Plugs: Type G (three rectangular pins, same as the U.K.). Travelers from continental Europe, the U.S., Canada, and Australia will need an adapter.

Getting Around

Self-drive: The best way to see rural Ireland, the Wild Atlantic Way, Dingle, and the Ring of Kerry. Book an automatic early (fewer in stock). Drive on the left.
Trains: Irish Rail connects Dublin with Cork, Galway, Limerick, and some other hubs—comfortable and scenic but not as dense as in mainland Europe.
Buses: Bus Éireann and private companies connect many towns and tourist sights—good budget option.
Day tours: Very handy if you don’t want to drive—popular from Dublin to Cliffs of Moher, Giant’s Causeway, and Glendalough.
In cities: Dublin has buses, trams (Luas), and suburban rail (DART). Contactless and travel cards are easy to use.

Safety

Overall: Ireland is a very safe country for tourists, including solo travelers.
Petty theft: Can occur in busy pub/party areas and in Dublin city center—keep bags closed and in sight.
Road & weather safety: Rural roads can be narrow and wet, with tractors or animals—drive slowly.
Hiking/coast: Cliffs and coastal walks can be windy and exposed—stay behind barriers and follow local advice.

Common Tourist Scams & Annoyances

Overpriced taxis / wrong route: Use official ranks, agree a fare, or use apps where available.
Pub tab confusion: Ask for the running total if you are in a busy bar.
Ticket resales: Buy attraction or tour tickets from official websites or well-known operators.
Parking/towing in cities: Read signs carefully in Dublin, Galway, and Cork—fines are enforced.

Give Dublin 1–2 days, head west to Galway and the Cliffs of Moher, add either Killarney/Ring of Kerry or Dingle, and you will have the classic Ireland first-timer route—green countryside, coastal views, and music-filled evenings.