The Emerald Isle: where the rhythm is slower, the people are warmer, the spirit is fuller, and the earth is richer.

Irish hospitality may be a cliché – right up there with leprechauns and kissing the Blarney Stone – but when you take a tour in Ireland (whether that's in Galway or down South) you realise that this enchanting republic revels in its old-school approach to life. Connemara really is as brooding and lonely as we’ve been led to believe. The Dublin of James Joyce still lingers on in odd pockets of the city. The Guinness really is that good. If you want to enjoy your holiday, it’s best to leave your cynicism at the door and grab Ireland with both hands: learn the folklore of Roscommon and Donegal, road trip your way along the south's coastline, go searching for faeries in Knocknerea Mountain, moan about the inclement weather and (above all) embrace the craic.

Top Ireland travel deals

Departing Days From GBP
24 Apr 2023
Northern & Southern Ireland
8 2335
2102
21 May 2023
Walk the Wicklow Way
6 1730
1298

Our Ireland trips

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Travel for eight days to visit Dublin, Killarney and Belfast touring Ireland’s natural...

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6 Days From 1298

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Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

Travel lightly with Intrepid. We’ve offset the main sources of carbon emissions from this trip on your behalf, including transport, accommodation & waste. Read more

Ireland tour reviews

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Ireland travel highlights

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At a glance
Best time to visit Ireland
History and government
Top 5 Irish Mythical Creatures
Health and Safety
Further reading

Ireland travel FAQs

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy

Getting to Ireland is super easy with two popular options: flying or catching the ferry. Flying is the quickest way to get to Ireland but it can be quite expensive depending on where you're travelling from. If you're travelling from a country like Australia or the United States then flying is your only option. If you live in the UK, you have the option of driving to Liverpool and catching the ferry to Dublin so that you can easily get around once you're in Ireland. 

Read more about how to get to Ireland

Tipping of 10-15% in restaurants is common. Some restaurants add a service charge to the bill, so check for this. It’s common to round up fare in taxis or leave around 10% if they’ve been particularly helpful.

Internet access is good in Ireland, with internet cafes and Wi-Fi hotspots easily found in most cities and major towns.

Mobile phone coverage is generally very good in most parts of Ireland. Ensure global roaming is activated before you arrive.

Modern, flushable toilets are the standard in Ireland.

Pint of Guinness = 4.50 Euro
City public transport ride = 2.5 Euro
Simple cafe lunch = 15 Euro 
Nice meal in a restaurant = 40 Euro

Tap water is considered safe to drink unless otherwise marked.

Major credit cards are widely accepted by stores and hotels in Ireland. Smaller cafes and shops may not accept credit cards, so ensure you carry enough cash to cover small purchases.

ATMs are very common in Ireland, so finding one won't be a problem in most towns and cities.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

As Ireland is known to be quite rainy all year round, packing wet weather clothing is important. Items like a waterproof jacket or raincoat, quick-dry clothing such as pants and tops, beanies, scarves, thick socks, and gloves will all come in handy. You should also consider packing a collapsible, travel-sized umbrella to minimize the likelihood of getting wet when it's raining. Remember to pack a camera, a backpack, a reusable drink bottle, and a portable charger as well. 

Read more about what to pack for Ireland

Irish food is undoubtedly one of the main reasons why this breathtaking country is so popular among travellers. From hearty stews full of vegetables to salty bread you'll get addicted to, traditional Irish food has a focus on fresh produce served up farm-to-table style. 

Read more about what to eat in Ireland

While homosexuality was only decriminalised in Ireland in 1993, it has since become a welcoming and accepting country for members of the LGBTQIA+ community within Ireland, and for travellers coming from elsewhere, with a range of gay friendly venues, bars, and events located in all major cities. 

Read more about the LGBTQIA+ community in Ireland

  • 1 Jan New Year's Day
  • 17 Mar St Patrick's Day
  • 17 Apr Easter Monday
  • 1 May May Day
  • 5 Jun June Bank Holiday
  • 7 Aug August Bank Holiday
  • 30 Oct October Bank Holiday
  • 25 Dec Christmas Day
  • 26 Dec Saint Stephen's Day

Please note these dates are for 2017. For a current list of public holidays in Ireland go to: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/ireland/public-holidays

Responsible Travel

Intrepid is committed to travelling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment. It's important to remember that what may be acceptable behaviour, dress and language in your own country, may not be appropriate in another. Please keep this in mind while travelling.

Colourful village streets of West Cork

How we're giving back

In Ireland, we stay in locally run accommodation including guesthouses, smaller-scale hotels and homestays in an effort to support the local economies. We also visit locally-run restaurants and markets where travellers will have opportunities to support local businesses and purchase handicrafts created by local artisans.