TIPS FOR A TERRIFIC FIRST TRIP TO IRELAND
Have you've been putting off visiting the Cliffs of Moher, Killarney National Park and the Blarney Castle for too long now?
Is this your post COVID trip? It's finally time to take that trip to Ireland! My clients always say, it's a "do again" holiday.
I applaud and concur that decision, because it's a country you'll want to return to over and over again. We had one of the best family trips of our life, when we went.
It had been a lifelong dream of my father-in-law, his sister, my husband, brother and of course the kids ... to seek and find family homesteads and roots.
Armed with a Family History mapping, meticulously prepared by my sister-in-law, 1901 Census records of addresses and a town to begin with, we made our way to Bainbridge, County Down to track down more records, churches, and hopefully relatives.
And with the luck of the Irish, and a chance meeting on a rainy day on the side of a road, we encountered a stranger, who took us directly to the home of one of Martin's second cousin's widow, whom we had no idea existed. That's when the magic started to happen ...
Photo: That's us in The Crown Liquor Saloon - oldest pub in Belfast
But let's talk about you! Before you book that brewery tour or get too excited about visiting Dublin's Grafton Sreet, here are a few tips to make a more enjoyable trip, when it's time for you to travel again.
CONSIDER CAR TRAVEL
The best sites in the Emerald Isle are seen via public transportation or tour buses, but renting a car is not a bad idea to get to those obscure sites and also to create your bubble. Most of the vehicles you rent will be small (maximum 4 passengers and don't forget luggage space) as that rural roads in Ireland are narrow. Oh, and the Irish drive on the left side of the road and pass on the right ... so be prepared. Most of the vehicles are also a stick shift, so if you feel you might have an issue shifting and driving a standard on the other side of the car, make sure it's an automatic! It'll cost you more, but it'll be worth it in the long run.
Photo: The perfect country for a road trip
TAX-FREE SHOPPING
All those goodies you'll find to buy on Grafton Street are tax-free! That's right, travellers who live outside the European Union can shop tax-free in Ireland. Make sure to apply for a Fexco Horizon Card prior to to your trip so you can register and swipe it in affiliated stores in the country and claim sales tax back on the purchases. For more information on how it works CLICK HERE
Photo: Shopping in the cities in Ireland
DIFFERING CURRENCIES
And while we're on the topic of shopping, it's important to note that, as part of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland uses pound sterling rather than the euro.
DRESS APPROPRIATELY
Irish weather is not extreme, but the country does get a lot of rain and wind, particularly along the west coast. And if you're travelling to Ireland during winter, know that the season's days are short. The sun rises at about 8am and sets about 4pm, which means you have to cram a lot of sightseeing (and driving) into a few hours. Bu during summer, the sunsets are late as 10pm. Spring and fall are great shoulder months to travel within.
Be mindful of these seasonal changes, pack light layers of clothing and a pair of rain boots or waterproof shoes, and you should be fine.
My recommendation is a good rain coat that's waterproof to provide you protection from the wind and driving rain. I lived in my Mountain Equipment Coop rain jacket and layered up every day, so as the day progressed and the environment and temperatures changed, I was ready for all the day threw my way.
Photo: Ireland is a great destination for the adventurists at heart
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION POINTERS
The trains in Ireland carry you in comfort, but they can be pricey. So if you intend to travel on one during your trip, make sure you book it in advance to take advantage of online discounts that the Irish Rail offers. If you choose to travel by bus, be aware that you must flag the bus, be aware that you must flag the bus to get it to stop.
In the cities, the hop on/hop off buses are by far the best way to see the sites, but give yourself enough days to spend in each, so you don't miss out.
And of course, be prepared to mask-up, have hand sanitizer available and have limited capacity. One item we will continue to travel with, that we use on a daily basis now when out in public, is our CASPR Personal Device and for more info on how it works CLICK HERE
HERITAGE CARDS ARE HELPFUL
If you plan to visit the country's many cultural attractions, pick up a Heritage Cad from the Office of Public Works is a great idea. This card entitles you to free admission to all heritage sites managed by the state for an entire year. These sites include castles and national parks.
So now that you have the tips to a successful Ireland trip, why not CONTACT ME to plan that perfect itinerary?
I can plan that whole trip around the island for you, including planes, trains and automobiles, including 10 of the Best Irish Road Trips. Not interested in doing the driving yourself, no problem. I can make it a combination of trains and private cars/drivers, if that's your preference. Then you can stop at all of the pubs along the way. And that's a story for another day ...
