Ireland is a safe destination for solo female travelers, with numerous stunning hiking destinations including Dublin, Meath, County Wicklow, Cork, Donegal, Killarney National Park, and the Kerry Way. The country offers a unique mix of mountains, lakes, and landscapes, making it an ideal destination for solo female hikers.
The Kerry Way, a 135-mile long-distance walking route, is Ireland’s longest trail, covering 230 km from Killarney to Killarney. This 12-day walking tour starts and finishes in Killarney and takes in the entire Kerry Way, offering a unique mix of mountains, lakes, and landscapes.
Ireland is generally considered safe for solo female travelers, but it is important to keep your wits about you. Traveling alone with confidence is possible, but it is essential to be prepared with the right clothes, footwear, compass, and paper map. This comprehensive guide equips women on a solo hike in Ireland, from popular trails to safety tips, making their Irish exploration more enjoyable.
A woman who hiked and camped in Ireland solo for nine straight days for The Kerry Way felt completely comfortable even though she saw very few other hikers. The best places to visit alone in Ireland are the Ring of Kerry, which is generally recognized as a safe destination for solo female travelers. However, public transport is limited and not available at all hours, so it is always safer to avoid walking alone late at night in isolated sections of the route.
In summary, Ireland is a welcoming, safe, and well-equipped place for solo female travelers, with a variety of stunning hiking destinations and safety tips to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
📹 Things you SHOULD NOT do while visiting IRELAND 🇮🇪
Planning on doing some Ireland Travel this year? Then this video is perfect for those planning their first trip. Find out from a local, …
Is it safe to hike alone in Ireland?
In Ireland, safe solo hiking requires following marked trails and being aware of local wildlife. Trails guide you and keep you from getting lost. Be aware of signs and avoid feeding or touching animals that may feel threatened. Enjoy their beauty from afar and check the weather before going hiking alone. Wear appropriate clothing and carry a raincoat as weather changes quickly in Ireland.
Is Galway safe to travel alone?
Galway City is a safe city for solo female travel, with Ireland ranking as the 6th safest place for studying abroad in Europe. The city is known for its friendly and safe atmosphere, with a vibrant nightlife centered around the Latin Quarter. Although there may be some crime and rowdy behavior, Galway City offers a safe and welcoming environment for solo female travelers. The city’s “purple flag” nightlife ensures a vibrant yet safe environment for travel after dark, making it an ideal choice for solo female travelers.
How long does it take to walk Kerry Way?
The Kerry Way is a 135-mile round trip divided into nine sections, each lasting nine days. The route is designed to pass through valleys rather than mountain peaks, with the highest elevation being around 400 meters. The shortest section is 11 miles, while the longest is 19 miles. The paths are well-maintained and waymarked, making it difficult to get lost. The footing varies from well-worn footpaths to rocky trails through valleys, with more difficult sections requiring slower walking. Experienced hikers may complete the route in less time. The longest section is 19 miles, with the shortest being 11 miles and the longest 19 miles.
What time of year is best to walk the Kerry Way?
The best time to walk the Kerry Way is from April to October, as it offers longer daylight hours and milder weather. The trail is busier in June, July, and August, with more sunshine. For a quieter walk in cooler weather, visit late spring or early autumn. November to March is not recommended due to limited accommodation options and short daylight hours. Muckross House Gardens is a must-see, with its beautiful greenhouses and stunning views of the Lough.
How difficult is the Kerry Way?
The Kerry Way, a challenging and challenging hike, was one of the most difficult stages of the journey. The hike involved steep ascents, descents, and elevation gain each day, making it one of the most challenging hikes. However, the journey was filled with blessings, wind, and sun. Stage 5 was the most challenging day, with over 3, 000 feet of elevation gain in just 13. 5 miles. The weather forecast was for significant rain and wind with limited visibility, making the hike even more daunting.
Despite considering skipping the stage, the hikers were up for the challenge as long as there was no lightning forecast. The hikers felt the blessings beneath their feet, the wind at their backs, and the sun on their faces as they neared the completion of their eighth and final trek.
How do you protect yourself as a solo female Traveller?
This blog post offers 11 safety tips for solo female travelers. It advises choosing a destination carefully, considering using a travel agent, downloading safety apps, ensuring your bank knows your destination, considering your phone, taking out comprehensive travel insurance, and connecting with other travelers and locals. The post is suitable for both new solo female travelers and experienced travelers, offering valuable insights and a checklist for future solo adventures. The first step in planning a solo trip is researching the destination’s safety rating. This blog post is designed for both new and experienced solo female travelers.
Is Ireland safe for a solo female traveller?
Ireland has a low crime rate compared to other European and North American countries, making it a relatively safe place to travel solo, especially outside major cities. The traditional Irish pub is at the heart of Irish culture and is a great leveller for meeting people and experiencing life in Ireland. Social status is irrelevant, age is forgotten, and personal background is just something to talk about over a few drinks.
Irish bars are known for their engaging banter and good old Blarney, and visitors can often catch a trad session, a traditional Celtic music night, where local musicians play for their amusement and for anyone else present. This pub experience offers a real taste of life in Ireland and is a great way to meet people and experience the local culture.
Is it safe to walk alone at night in Ireland?
The US Embassy in Dublin has issued an alert urging US citizens to be cautious when traveling in unfamiliar or crowded areas, especially at night, and to avoid walking alone. The alert follows a recent assault on a 57-year-old New Yorker in Dublin, who is currently in intensive care.
Which country is the safest for solo female Travellers?
Japan is a safe destination for solo travelers due to its respectful culture, etiquette, and traditions. It offers a variety of accommodations, including female-only train carriages and women’s hotels, and offers efficient transport options like the bullet train. Dining alone in Japan is considered normal.
Central America is gaining popularity among independent female travelers due to hostels, tour routes, great infrastructure, and affordable food and attractions. Meeting new friends is easy, as most people follow the same trail to visit stunning sites like Lake Atitlán, Tikal’s ancient pyramids, and Semuc Champey’s blue falls. Antigua’s colorful streets are also perfect for hiking up Acatenango to watch Volcano Fuego erupt at sunrise.
In Southeast Asia, Thailand and Vietnam are the safest destinations for women backpacking, but Vietnam is a good starting point. With a well-trodden tourist route from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam offers mountains, beaches, islands, ancient villages, and delicious cuisine. Whether traveling by train, sleeper bus, or scooter, thousands of other solo travellers will share the same journey.
Is female solo Travelling safe?
Most destinations are safe for women to travel alone, provided they are attentive, well-informed, aware of the current situation, and take basic safety measures. To ensure safe travel, it is essential to be aware of the local situation.
Is Ireland safe for solo female travelers?
Women can travel alone in Ireland without issues, but it is important to take precautions and inform local staff about your destination and the time you plan to return. The traditional Irish pub is a vital part of Irish culture, offering a unique way to meet people and experience life in Ireland. The pub is a great leveller, where social status is irrelevant, age is forgotten, and personal background is just a topic to discuss over a few drinks.
Irish bars are known for their engaging banter and good old Blarney, and it is possible to catch a trad session, a traditional Celtic music night, where local musicians play for their amusement and for others present. By embracing the Irish pub experience, you can get a real taste of life in Ireland and meet people who share similar interests.
📹 He Didn’t Even Hesitate 😳 #shorts #comedy
I’m an American of Irish heritage who went to an Irish pub in the USA where the entertainers were singing Irish drinking songs in English. I didn’t think I’d ever heard any Irish drinking songs before, but I realized I knew most of the words before they sang them. They just kept popping into my head, seemingly out of nowhere. I found it very odd, and I mentioned it to my mother, who was slightly embarrassed to admit to me that when I was a baby she sang Irish drinking songs to me because she didn’t know the words to any lullabies.
3:26 I met an Irishman in Galway because we were both walking down a street the same way on opposite sides. After a short while he walked across the street towards me and said “Hello, mind if I walk with ya?” In the next few blocks we walked down together, I learned he was born in Ireland, had duel citizenship in the USA, and he told me tons about his favorite pubs, sights to see, and things to do! Everyone tells you the Irish are friendly but you don’t realize how true it is until you experience it! Haha
I’m American of Irish descent. My father and I visited last June. In Dublin, we start talking to a very nice guy in his early 20’s having a few drinks. He recommends a pub nearby with the best Guinness pour but sees my dad and I are a bit confused. He finishes his beer and says “come on, I’ll walk you there”. Walked us 8 blocks to a great pub, basically became our tour guide for the day, and insisted on buying US a round. I’ve been to 8 countries and never has an experience like this. Beautiful countryside, even more beautiful people.
Fun mini story: years ago I took a trip to London, then Paris, then Dublin. I’m an American and just a petite, quiet woman but the customs guy in London gave me a lot of unnecessary grief. Paris customs was a bit nicer but still rather tough. The customs guy in Dublin looked at my passport, then up at me and said, “So, Kelly, are ya here for workin’ or drinkin’?” with a smile. Irish people are fantastic ❤
I’m from the countryside of Switzerland and a few years ago I got overwhelmed by everything around me and had to get a break. So I decided to just leave and go to Ireland for a week. And when I was there, I discovered that the Irish have pretty much the same mentality as we do (swearing, caring for each other, sarcasm, food etc.). But in Switzerland you need to get to know the people better to get this kind of treatment. And this experience made me open up more to strangers when I got back home. And that’s why I’ll be forever grateful to the lovely people I met up there… 🙏❤
The one time I was there, I was staying at a hotel in Dublin that had a pub attached in 2010. Got back from sightseeing in time to watch the US/England match of the World Cup. I’m from the States, and proudly of Irish heritage, and sat at the bar while the person I was with was still getting ready upstairs. I ordered my first Guinness, then someone heard my accent and bought me the second, I bought the third, then the US scores and another buys me my fourth. Then they find out I was active duty military, and them also being American who moved to Ireland, bought me my fifth. Then they find out my mom’s maiden name was Irish, and every time I tried to pay for a drink, I was turned away the rest of the night. The Irish are some of the best people I’ve ever met, and I’m always so proud that my heritage goes back to them!
We went in 1998 on our honeymoon. Our last night was in Six Mile. We got to the pub around 5:00.and were the first there. 3 locals trickled in, after 15 minutes they insisted we join them. When they found out we were on our honeymoon the serenaded us singing “Danny Boy”. The pub filled up with 50 people from around the world and we all sang Acapella at the top of our lungs. We floated on air back to our B&B.
I would just like to comment on the reflective clothing issue. Soon after moving to rural Ireland, while in a pub, an old man gave me a reflective arm band to walk home with. I accepted but felt a little bit like I was being treated like a child. I came from an urban area and was used to ubiquitous street lighting. In rural Ireland when there is cloud cover (most of the time!) the darkness is complete. Something I had not experienced before. I have since nearly hit pedestrians a couple of times when they did not have reflective clothing while I was driving. Others reading this might be like me and not realise how important it can be. There is more street lighting now in rural areas but still beware.
My dad had to give up driving in Ireland. My dad is a lifetime NYer, and OH MY GOD, did he not adapt well. First there was the obvious “Driving on the other side of the road” problem, alongside the roads being thinner than what he’s used to his whole life. But THEN, there was the roundabouts. At one point, were we driving, and the GPS goes, “Enter roundabout”, and jokingly I imitated the voice with this, “Now, exit roundabout, drive 20 yards, and enter roundabout”. We come out of the roundabout, and the GPS goes, “Drive 1000 yards, and enter roundabout”. He fully gave up on driving on the third day in, and me and my brother took over. As it turns out, I’m pretty good at Irish driving, cause it’s a lot more like driving in rural areas of Virginia, which is where I’d been living for a while. The other fun incident occurred one morning. I had independently taken it upon myself to buy groceries, but I was making breakfast for everyone one morning (We were staying in a small timeshare in Barna Village), when I noticed I had underestimated the milk we had left. My brother goes off to the store (Also a city kid). When he gets back, he puts the milk away, but with an odd look on his face, takes a moment, and goes, “Sean, why does the cashier of the supermarket know I’m your baby brother?” Me: “Oh, Mary was on this morning?! Damn, shoulda gone in.” Michael: “Okay, no, we have been here under a *week*. How do you have a personal relationship with this woman?” Me: “Well I was in there getting groceries, and she noticed I was American, and y’know, we chatted a bit, she gave me some tips for cooking Irish bacon, and I gave her my recipe for deviled eggs and sweet tea.
My great grandfather was Irish. He died years before I was born. I always wanted to come to Ireland, but now I am to old to travel. It was refreshing to watch you and receive all this information. I really don’t know what part of Ireland my grandfather and his parents came from. It is a shame not to know. I am proud of my Irish root just the same.
My first trip around Ireland was a bicycle tour. I free-camped all the way. It’s the easiest European nation I have found to do this. There was never any attitude of ‘what are you doing here?’, rather, a welcome. Of course, be sensible. On one occasion I spotted a beautiful large rolling grass field, with a church on one side and a house the other. I thought it would be politic to ask at the house if it would be OK, and got the answer – the man who rents the field lives three miles away and you would get lost in the lanes, so why don’t you camp in my field?
My first trip to Ireland was in 2005, I was in County Longford visiting my friend’s family. I had gotten a bit ill while I was there but still did Sunday brunch followed by a trip to their fave pub. My parents called to check on me. My friend Stephen spoke to them first. Then his parents. In the end 20-30 people spoke to them – just to let them know that they already considered me family and I was in safe hands. My dad HATED talking on the phone but this was an exception; that call lasted almost 2hrs, he didn’t care. He was genuinely moved by how many people cared for me – a person they’d just met.
Hi Laura 😃 Thanks so much for making this article! I’m a South African and have lived in Ireland for 6 years. I can tell you that I now find some of these things as offensive as any Irish person. I have adapted, adopted and recultrulalised to my beloved Ireland. When I say Ireland, I mean the Irish people. It’s always the people that make the place. I am so thankful by how I have been treated and received. Please, for anybody coming to visit: Bring your warmest smile, your kindest heart, your most generous hand and a blessing in each of your steps. You can not find better people to gift it to.
My parents and my little brother visited Ireland with a big group back in 2012, I was a week away from having my first child so, sadly I didn’t get to join them, but they said it was amazing. They saw The Blarney Stone, my mom and brother kissed it, they saw several castels, and my brother was “apprehended” for flirting with all the young women and “thrown in” a cell. He had to sing ‘Row Row Row Your Boat’ in front of everyone to be released! I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland, and after they came home, I was even more jealous! I hope that I will get to visit someday!!
My brother discovered how helpful the Irish are. Trying to negotiate driving on the “wrong” side of the road AND how narrow the road can be, he ended up crashing into a ditch and blew a tire. There was just one house in this rural area that he could see but before he could walk up to ask for help, a man emerged at the roadside, took one look at the damage, and said, “Sooo, you’ll be coomin’ ta tea then.” Bro didn’t really understand that “tea” can mean what we call “supper” and trotted along behind him thanking him profusely. Wow! While the missus dished a great meal, hubby called the appropriate agencies to fix the problem. My brother was blown away. Many of my family have visited the “old country” and had similar experiences. I hope to be another someday.
We are flexible travelers and walked into dromoland castle and asked for a room and dinner and were warmly welcomed. Also saw a sign for b and b and rang the doorbell and Mrs Donahue welcomed us and even had her son meet us at the boat when we went over to inishmore. We didn’t want the tourist bus, so he arranged for Patrick Joyce with his pony and trap to take us on a tour.
I’ve been to Ireland once, about 10 years ago, it was in the November and it was absolutely beautiful. The people were so friendly and warm. As a Welshman, it felt a little bit like home from home, but even friendlier. I can honestly say, I would visit Ireland before anywhere else I’ve been in a heartbeat.
Greetings from Canada, my wife and I are visiting Ireland for the first time this June. I found your article very helpful and interesting. Firstly, the use of the word “sorry” we do the same. Secondly, holding doors open for the person behind you is also something that is done in Canada and lastly queuing to be served is also common here. So, hopefully we won’t make too many mistakes while visiting your country.
My grandparents, who’ve been to so many different countries, said they loved their trip to Ireland best. They mostly visited less traveled places and were treated so warmly that they wished they could stay permanently 🙂 Thank you to the citizens of Ireland for your lovely hospitality to my grandparents! Bless you all & your beautiful country!
40 years ago, I hitch hiked for two or three months along the coast between Wexford and Galway, spending every morning on the road and every afternoon playing the guitar in the next town to get the money for food and a night’s B&B. It was April/May and the weather was as hot as I’d never have expected it. All the people I met…it was an absolutely incredible, amazing time. Often I stayed in people’s houses when they invited me for a night or even longer. About six years later, I moved from my German hometown to Yorkshire, where I still live today, but one day I’d love to see the old places in Ireland again. I very much liked this article! 🙂
I’m American but I have strong Irish heritage. My grandma, born here in the U.S. was able to get an Irish passport. For as long as I can remember I have yearned to visit Ireland. This popped up on my YouTube feed randomly, seeing as I have not interacted with Ireland content recently. I am in grad school now, so it will be some time before I am able to make a big trip out of the country, but after perusal this I am getting so excited to start researching more and planning a trip. perusal this article as a tool of manifestation to finally get my butt over there ✨
Excellent article and advice. I worked for a US company that had a plant in Limerick and was fortunate to spend three months there. On weekends, I would pick a location and drive to it. You can’t get lost. Ireland is an island and you will come out somewhere. The plant manager told me that the beauty of Ireland is in the countryside. This is true. It is a beautiful county with beautiful people and it is so refreshing to see a younger generation come into leadership roles.
We were able to visit Ireland when we were stationed in Germany. The first time was for our 2 year wedding anniversary as we didn’t have a honeymoon. We had a good laugh when, on our first morning there, our waitress turned out to be from Michigan. We finally got our dream trip just to have an American waitress.😂
I was fortunate enough to be in Ireland in March, 2002. I was only there for 3 days. Had I known how wonderful it was I would have scheduled more time there. Your culture is amazing. The people are absolutely the best. Couldn’t have had a better experience. I am too old to come back now, but if I could, I absolutely would. My great grandparents on my father’s side came from Ireland to the US. My maiden name was Quinn. Can’t get much more Irish than that.
Ireland is a wonderful welcoming country. I went all around including in the North. We did a pub crawl many nights to out of the way local places. They were so welcoming and the band even made sure we knew the words to the songs they were singing. It was craic to be sure. We also had a local lady walk us all the way to our hotel because we were lost getting off the train. I’m sure she was late for dinner that night but we so appreciated the kindness. Couple that with the best Guinness and mashed potatoes you’ll ever eat including getting a Guinness at your gate when you leave Ireland! What a great country to visit. Highly recommend.
We’ve been on vacation in Ireland a couple of years ago (mostly Donegal and the west) and been to a couple of pubs. What we encountered regarding alcohol was that people looked for each other. One, a man, clearly slightly on the drunk side of tipsy, entered and was just refused to get any more (coming from Germany, this was sort of a culture shock – I mean, this would have meant selling another drink, and here, to most bartenders, that’s what counts most). That refusal was polite, and the man’s reaction was, too. He then was brought home (they obviously knew him, and just took care that he didn’t get into too much trouble). While this particular situation was unique while we were there, an overall vibe of care for each other was present almost everywhere.
Lovely article. My husband and I spent a week driving around southern Ireland. It’s so beautiful. I recommend that everyone do this. We made a big loop starting in Dublin and going southwest along the coast to the west coast up the west coast then back across to Dublin. It was one of the most beautiful vacations I’ve ever had. Everyone was so kind. I can’t begin to put into words how stunning the country is and how nice all the people are. So much to see and do.
We were trying to find the home of a friend’s son and getting lost. We saw a man walking and asked him how to get there. His accent was very hard for us to understand. Finally he said ‘scoot over darlin. I was just going to the pub I can get one there. So he got in the car, gave us brilliant directions, refused to even take the price of a beer.And delivered us safely to her sons house😂
Loved this. I lived in Belfast in 1972-73 and despite the unpleasantness, I found the people joyful. I even hitchhiked throughout the Republic and the North and always felt safe. And yes, hearing everyone using colourful language was a tad surprising initially, after realizing it was universal, I fell into step—just after living there nearly two years, I did have a problem with my terminology when I returned to the USA
Friends of my parents used to take in young players from the local football club as lodgers. One of them was from Northern Ireland and he lived with them from the ages of 16 to 18. Back in Northern Ireland (the football club released him at 18) he got married and invited his former landlord and landlady to his wedding. In his speech he said they became his “English mum and dad”. This struck a chord with the guests who made a point of buying drinks for his “English mum and dad”.
My parents came from Newfloundland, they moved to the USA in the late 40’s. The area they, and my ancestors, inhabited was populated by Irish immigrants who were trying to make a living in the fishing industry. Their manner of speaking was very similar to native Irish people. I grew up hearing Tree, Tink, shut your gob….and many other expressions.
My favourite country is Ireland, I can’t wait to go back. We stayed in Dublin and then went and stayed with family in Ballymote, it was absolutely amazing. We went to a pub one night for music and chicken wings, the pub was packed and loud but as soon as someone started singing/playing an instrument everyone went quite and listened or joined in depending on the song. Everyone in the pub were locals and they all knew who we were and went out of their way to make us feel at home. Our family were amazing, even more so because we had never met them before. I absolutely love Ireland.
I’m an old ‘London Irishman’ only turned up to hear the ‘accent’ but stayed for the reminders of days and people gone by. There was less Gaelic spoken when I went there as a child so it’s great to hear that it’s become more relevant. I loved my summers spent on the banks of the River Suir and with my cousins of Baile hac (Roche) and Arthurstown (Murphy). Blessings to all.
The Irish culture profoundly influenced the Southern United States culture. My grandmother pronounced “Irish” as you do and we are the friendliest part of our country. Your input of holding the door open for the next person is a given, to do otherwise would be a sin. Lovely, informative article. Thank you.
I stumbled upon your website and spent the next twenty minutes thinking “she’s right about that”. I’ve been to Ireland three times and planning a fourth trip. My most special experience was finding the graves of my Great Great Grandparents – I was literally adopted for the day by a gentleman who was contacted by someone in a tourist information centre to help this woman (me!) who was asking questions about a graveyard. I couldn’t believe his level of support and consideration shown to a stranger. He drove me for hours and I found ancestral homes (and was shown through them by welcoming owners) and a third cousin of my dad’s who still lived in a family home that my GG Grandfather had lived in. I have a gorgeous article recording of my Irish friend reading the gravestone with dates full of 3s (“trees”).
Departing from Dublin, and three friends in tow, l drove most every county in the country, (I’m from Scotland so l was the chosen one), the surprises around every corner were fantastic and beautiful. Met some wonderful and funny locals, danced in the street, sang in the pubs, had some great laughs and amazing food. Oh, and we had good reliable trains and buses, and wonderful accommodations. Our two weeks were filled with fun and our hearts filled with love.
Thank you for this article! I’m Mexican-American and I plan to visit Dublin and other parts of Ireland this summer. I always try and learn about a country’s customs and culture before I visit because I want to be a thoughtful guest. This article provides all the info I need to make me feel comfortable traveling to Ireland. Normally, I will only visit countries where I know someone so I can get the real sense of the place and learn more about the culture. Sadly, I don’t know anyone in Ireland but I’m going anyways! I look forward to seeing your other articles.
Just came across your page and I love it! My parents were both Irish (Athlone) and I and my sister are English. We used to go for summer holidays and come back with an Irish accents. We used to kid that we’d visit Ireland and get the sh*t kicked out of use for sounding English then go home after the holidays and get the sh*t kicked out of us for sounding Irish. 😆 That said, neither of us could be prouder than we are of our Irish ancestory. 👍
I’ve been to Ireland 3 times so far and had always a great time and met nice people. The first time was with my mum, an organized journey, where we stayed in several hotels throughout the country. The second time was with my best friend, where we stayed in B&Bs in Dublin and Galway. The third time was with my boyfriend. We rented a car and went to different locations and stayed in several B&Bs. This summer is going to be the fourth time, but this time with the same boyfriend and also our 3 year old son. We’ll be staying in a hotel in Dublin for two weeks and we’re also going to rent a car.
I was pleasantly surprised to find your YT website today Laura Grace and I love . The reason being that I am fortunate enough to have visited Ireland several times and found out for myself how beautiful your island is and how wonderful and friendly the Irish people really are. The main reason I wanted to comment was, how could anyone complain about your lovely accent??!! I absolutely love it. Love from Tennessee.
40 years ago when I was in my 20’s we booked b&b accommodation on the west coast. I do not recall where. But the family that owned the cottage was so welcoming. So pleasant. And when we wanted to visit the beach, the Grandmother said, ‘ohhhh Joey will take you there.’… the big black Labrador retriever! A beautiful place and experience!!! I need to go back.
I’m perusal this and realizing how strong my Irish heritage is just bursting from my DNA. LOL. My family are SO sarcastic, like even serious topics are approached with sarcasm, but it is sort of expected. Were also lso super polite, which sounds like a contradiction, but we were all raised that doors are held, and smiles or a nod to passersby are just a natural reaction. If I ever get to visit Ireland, I’ll definitely fit right in.
Laura, I watched another native Irish woman’s suggestions to Americans, and she explained that the tradition of declining the first two times came from times when the Irish people were poor, and often people would offer tea or other treats, when they could not afford it, but they felt obligated to offer, because it would be rude not to, whether they could afford it or not.
I really enjoyed visiting Ireland. I am from New Zealand but am a decendant of Hogan’s and Fitzgeralds and perhaps that is why I have a lot of your sayings and manners. It is pretty cool that my Greatgrandmother was born on a Sailing ship from Ireland. I now have grandkids so now we are 6 generations of Kiwis but we still have a strong feeling for your beautiful country, people and humor. Love you guys ❤
I am pleasantly warmed at the simalarity between the Irish culture and the true Aussie culture. When I am overseas I try not to use Aussie slang, but at a pub in the republic I said g’day mate. The night went downhill from there in a good way. I got down-under, and vegimite jokes and a lot of locals wanted to know if the Australian wildlife was really that dangerous. We drink the water out of our taps too. I have memories of a dark beer and the best pies if have ever had. And Irish butter beats Lurpak hands down.
Tips on walking Irish rural roads:- Always walk on the right hand side facing incoming traffic. However, if you approach a bend in the road veering to the right, i suggest crossing carefully to the left and navigate the corner from the wider perspective. This will allow car drivers longer visual contact with you. Then cross back to the right after getting around the corner. Basically walk all corners from the outside arc and on straight parts, stay right! This tip is for rural roads which have no pedestrian paths. There are exceptions to the above though. Sometimes you might find yourself on a rural road that is norhing but corners, veering left and right all the way to your destination with absolutely no staight parts at all. If this is the case you should cut youself a very long hazel branch and tie an old pair of brightly coloured knickers to the end and hoist it to your left every time yoy hear a motor car approach. Be careful of those fancy new expensive elecrical powered motor propelled vehicles though. They could be on top of you before you have time to shnife your pants! 😅
Ireland in April was wonderful! No tourists anywhere. We had sun, rain, high winds and snow. But if you don’t like the weather, just wait 10 minutes! 4 different times (in a pub, on a hike, walking through town), Irish folks we had just met invited us into their homes. We were able to hire a car and tour for 28 days at the same cost we would have spent for a 10-day guided group tour in the summer.
So many positive comments, and well deserved. My grandparents came from Ireland and growing up in Australia, where there is a definite Irish influence, I was aware of many of things in this article. But many I did not know. I visited Ireland in 2017 for an irish language course and found everyone i met to be friendly and helpful. One thing I found that I was not expecting was the sense of humour, sometimes sarcastic humour, that was so like my own. I am sometimes considered a “little bit different” among friend in Australia, but In Ireland I felt at home. Go raibh míle maith agat.
From a fellow Irish person (m): Great article, nicely paced and pretty accurate. Remember that on country roads, you should walk walk facing the oncoming traffic in general. This means on the right hand side of the road. Obviously, on sharp bends to your right, where the driver won’t see you till the last moment, it might be safer to walk on the other side! Common sense is the order of the day. I’d never heard of a ‘baby Guinness’, but then I don’t go to pubs much. Also I’d be just a bit careful who you ask for directions from in certain parts of certain places. Maybe a word of advice in a future episode would be an idea. I’m looking at you, Dublin! Bórd Fáilte aren’t going to thank you for saying most of the attractions are around the coast! Leitrim and Roscommon are unique, for example.
holy smokes, this was lovely. look at your one! incredibly warm, inviting, caring, understanding (Americans are going to be crude, well what else is new? nothing you can do about it, just laugh and move on). makes me feel like I just spent an evening in Dublin with a very friendly local. thank you so much!
I started going back to Ireland regularly having not lived there for a long time. Two things I avoid, first I don’t rent cars there. If you do rent a car make sure that the damage sheet is up to date. They will charge you for even the slighest damage. Also, fill the tank before you return it, they sometimes charge stupid money if they have to fill it. Probably best if there’s a company rep there when you collect and return it. I travel so regularly now that’s cost effective for me to have a little car in Ireland. The other thing is motorway tolls, while they’re not that expensive you tend to miss out on lots of towns and villages that have been bypassed by the motorway network. So if I have the time I program my satnav to avoid motorways.
I hear many people say, when they were on a visit to Ireland the people were nice to them. Of course, most people would be nice to tourist visiting their country. The difference is, the Irish are honestly nice all of the time. I got to know lots of them for many years, they are amazing people. Long live Ireland and the Irish.
I love this article! I have always dreamed us visiting Ireland as some folks on my mom’s side of the family are from there. I thought I was more Irish but upon having my DNA analyzed it turns out I’m 1/3 Scottish! I don’t think my dream of visiting either Ireland or Scotland will come true as I’m close approaching 70 and there are no funds for travel in my future. Lovely to hear your endearing descriptions of the Do’s and Don’ts for travel. Have a lovely week, it’s actually still raining here in Southern California! 😘💚
Those are great things to know before you went to Ireland. I’m from Germany and remember my surprise when I went to an ATM in a town off the motorway between Dublin and Belfast to get some cash for Northern Ireland. The money came out of the ATM and it didn’t looked like the Pound notes I got used to while I’ve been in the UK. But it looked just like those Danish Kroner I’m used to on my vacations in Denmark… I looked up at the building and right it said Danske Bank in big letters on the building… I learned later on that there were four different notes that are used in Northern Ireland: Bank of Ireland, Bank of England, Den Danske Bank and the Ulster Bank. I liked the notes of the Ulster Bank the most, they looked somewhat old fashioned but I liked that. About jaywalking…. while in Dublin, and stoping at a red light a lady remarked: “You’re tourists right?” We all had a good laugh at that. Twice I got asked if I would join in making music while sitting in a pub in towns in Donegal. I had to decline the offer, because I had’nt played a guitar in more then 15 years, and my singing isn’t the best either. Maybe I should exercise some before my next visit… A detail for driving in Ireland and using a GPS system to find your destination. A lot of places we wanted to visit didn’t gave an adress, but just some coordinates…. Sometimes the things got a bit funny toward the end of the drive…. We loved our stay in the northern part of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and we are looking forward to our next visit to the other parts of Ireland.
Thank you for this article! We traveled to Ireland as a family with my daughter and son-in-law in 2019. But I just got back from my second trip (solo), because I rode 170 km in the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle! it was an awesome experience and I made it all the way (I’m 66) It was a very nice part of Ireland to visit!
I’m glad I watched this article! I was with my now ex husband sitting at the bar of one of our favorite restaurants waiting for a table. There were three young Irish men sitting there and they were saying sarcastic things to us. I thought they just hated Americans but now I know it’s something Irish people do. I hope to visit Ireland some day!
I’m BEYOND excited to be heading to the West Coast of Ireland in a few months, and I’m lucky to have known a fair amount of this info due to my awesome friends who’ve been, but I want to thank you SO MUCH for this article— answered a few worries I had, and gave a great introduction to things I didn’t know! Appreciate it. Be well out there!
I visited Ireland a few years back on a vacation to learn about my family history and found it to be the friendliest country I ever visited. I still remember the kindness of the people as my most favorite memory of being there. Thank you for the tips. As expected, I made several mistakes that I won’t repeat.
So happy I found your web site. I am a small resort manager in the White Mountains of Arizona, Love my job our guests and owners so a vacation meeting new people is my goal for this October. A tour for my first time your insight and information are helping me so much…… enjoying the journey already finding out best tours best place to go on my first visit to Ireland.
My husband and I traveled with friends to Ireland this past March. It was an amazing trip! We were able to experience the southern parts of Ireland. Loosely, from Dublin International to Kilkenny, Waterford, Cork, Limerick. Our most challenging roads were the “L” roads…those cute little country roads. Switching to a Right-hand drive was easier than we expected. Get the insurance! LOL! We absolutely LOVED the turn-abouts and country drives. (I wish we had more in the US in heavy traffic areas.) We can’t wait to go back to explore more of the western parts of Ireland. We visited the week before 17-March. We experienced lots of temperature changes, including sleet at the Cliffs of Moher. For those traveling from th US…one extra tip…don’t sit at certain bars aedn order “shots”. Order drinks “neat” 🙂 Happy trails and happy travels!
Additional note on rental cars in Ireland that I didn’t see mentioned in the article — my experience is that they are primarily all standard stick shift, not automatics. These days, that can particularly throw off visitors from the States who maybe never learned to drive stick. Anyhow, thanks for the article. It’s a beautiful country and I’ve loved my time there!
This is probably the best guide to traveling in Ireland I’ve seen. Very thorough and well done. If you’re not from Ireland, be extremely careful driving. Give yourself some time to get used to it. The world needs a article guide to leaving Dublin airport and getting on the M50. As of this summer, it seems the rental car companies have started including that M50 toll in the rental charge. Some of the main national routes that radiate out from Dublin towards the rest of the Island have toll booths installed. Don’t panic, they accept chip cards (except American Express) DO NOT DRIVE IF YOU HAVE BEEN DRINKING! The Gardai are known to set up checkpoints at any time of day. Its obviously a terrible thing to do anyway. On a lighter note, be careful about offering someone a ride. It’s one of those words that has a different meaning in Ireland. Thank you, Laura, very well done!
And don’t like I did, think that walking from Cork to Midleton is quick after a night out on the beer in the city, four hours later I was still walking by the dual carriageway and got my one and only lift from the guards near Carrigtwohill to my accommodation. I was on holiday from the UK visiting family, lesson learned the hard way….
I’m Irish, born in Hawaii on February 8th, 1957. I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland, and possibly live there. But I’ve never had the opportunity, due to my family situation, and having to care for my parents, as they grew old and passed away. But I would still like to visit Ireland. I would be so honored to be able to visit there. Thank you so much for your informative article on Ireland.
This was so great to hear! My grandfather was born in Ireland and I have never been. :>(( In so much of what you said I see my behavior which many times is misconstrued in the US, ie. sarcasm, politeness, stretching the truth…and I never knew why. I need to visit Ireland. also, I just watched An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl) and loved the sound of the Irish language, beautiful film by the way.
It’s so hilarious and quite interesting how the language gets passed down to families that migrated years ago to America. My grandmother’s side is mostly Scottish and Irish. my great great great grandparents immigrated from Ireland to America so for several generations my family was born and raised in America but they held on to so many of their native speaking idioms/nuances and after perusal your article I see now where and why they said certain things. They were very sarcastic and even certain terms you spoke about they carried down the family line to this day. I understood much of what you were talking about the second you said it 😅
My husband and I went to Ireland In 2019. We went to Dublin and went to some beautiful places. My husband drove and did a great job. We were very polite and did most of the things you mentioned. The people were so nice. When you said that Irish people say things differently I understood that completely. I am from the American Southern state of Tennessee and we have southern accents and we sometimes get people that make fun of our accents and our customs. The way you described Ireland and the customs there are not unlike the ones we have in the South. I very much enjoyed your article because we’re planning to return soon.
Spectacular job! As an American who has visited Ireland quite a few times, being of Celtic heritage, I can tell you these are the very things I say to so many of my friends who ask me questions for their upcoming trip to the Emerald Isle. You absolutely nailed it. And I will use the link to this article to help get these silly American friends off me back!! God bless you, Laura!!
Great article. I’m from probably the most Irish place outside of Ireland. At one time over 50% of our population was Irish and now more than 59% are Irish descendants. We also live in the most easternly point in North America, on the island of Newfoundland. Many Newfoundlanders who go over to Ireland are mistaken for Irish due to our accent which I’m told is more of a Wexford accent I started to laugh at 4 seasons in one day because it’s true here too. Going to Ireland this year, renting a car and driving around the island or at least the Republic of Ireland. We will take a train to Northern Ireland. Love your article.
I’ve been living in Ireland for about a year now, and in this first year, I’ve been really busy getting my stuff sorted here. Now, I believe it’s the ideal moment to delve deeper into the culture and actively engage with the community. Your article is super helpful, and I sincerely appreciate it. Thank you.
Hi Laura. Thanks for another great vid. We are heading back to your lovely island soon after almost 6 years. I couldn’t agree more about your comment about not trying to squeeze in too much. We learned our lesson after the last 2.5 week trip. We were up and moving to the next spot every day or two and not only was it exhausting but like you said, we couldn’t fully enjoy any one spot. This time we are spending a week with our friends there (that we made the last time we came) and splitting up the other week between just two spots. Last time we came, with the exception of a couple must do spots, we tried to stay more off the beaten path. We did Ring of Beara instead of Kerry, Slieve League instead of Cliffs of Moher etc. We got some really good suggestions along the way too from the amazing people that we stayed with at their AirBNBs. We fell head over heels in love with Ireland and everything about it so we are so elated to come back. What part of Ireland are you in if you don’t mind me asking? I appreciate all your helpful tips. Thanks again and have a great day! p.s. They put your face on the Guinness now…WHAT?!? mind=blown!
Hi Laura! Thank you for a very good introduction to Ireland. I’ll try to give a few comments (some generalities) on us swedes, if I may. On ignoring strangers, good manners and such among swedes There are lots of things interacting here. Good manners like you describe them are taught one way or another, In earlier generations good manners were taught from childhood, but then that was partly lost when we had a period of trying to free ourselves from upper-class oppression, sexism and such. Nowadays we are beginning to use good manners again to some extent. If you meet swedes without manners, try gentle persuasion first. We sometimes just don’t realize how we behave. We often have a definite streak of not wanting to disturb people, not wanting to force ourselves on people, not wanting to interfere. This happens in situations concerning anything from walking past each other in the street, up to and including seeing somebody crying because they have lost somebody near and dear. Also, we are afraid that if we try to come across, people will refuse that courtesy or support. This is often misunderstood to mean that we are cold and forbidding. Anyway, these are just generalities. If you meet us, please feel free to greet us and strike up a conversation with us. Some of us will be very welcoming, and you will have quite a nice time, and others will find the task quite daunting. All those t(h)rees… We have a little jingle we use on ourselves (I think it originated as an educational tool in school).
Back in about 2007 I had a househunting trip around the west coast of Ireland. A lot of the little white cottages all looked very similar so I had great difficulty finding some of them. In one case I knocked on a cottage door to ask for directions. An old man answered and invited me inside. I showed him the estate agent printout for the house in question. He read the details and said the name of the village “That’s 3 miles from here, I’ve never been there”.
The booking in advance is something I did not do on either of my week long trips in Ireland. I stayed in a different hotel every night because I was traveling the coastline. I didn’t prebook a single room because I didn’t know how far I would make it each day. I went in the March and April months so it wasn’t expensive either. I stayed in a large variation of places from a small B&B to a night stay at the Trump resort in Dunebeg. B&B were usually around 90-100 euro and a nice hotel was around 150. I absolutely agree that the March and April months are gorgeous! I also spent a week in the Scottish highlands around the same time and it was perfect! Driving a rental car and going at your own pace is the only way to go!
Laura, As today was my first day in Dublin, I wanted to thank you so much for giving seriously practical advice. Some things I knew, some I did not. Your charm and your speaking style are a winning combination. Keep it going, love. You’ll be the official ambassador of The Emerald Isle in no time. I’ll be following and recommending your website to all that want to come here. Your kindness of spirit shines through. Hugs.
The pronunciation of T and Th and 3 vs tree is not an issue in all areas of Ireland. Certain areas can say it correctly and others don’t (even within different parts of Dublin). So important for tourists to understand just like the accents vary significantly between counties or even different parts of Dublin.
Four seasons in one day… you were NOT kidding! About 20 years ago, I took a side trip to Dublin from London, just for the day—New Year’s Day, as a matter of fact. The weather was springlike and breezy when the plane touched down in the morning; by the time I got on the plane back to London, it was bone-chilling cold, damp, and rainy. Craziest weather I’ve ever experienced.
Lovely article! I wish it existed before I took my first trip to Ireland last year. I wasn’t expecting to be able to drive right from the Republic into the North. I also planned too many places for us to visit while we were there. So, I did follow your advice about not staying only in Dublin, and we did go to Waterford (which is lovely), but we didn’t have enough time there.
I have been to Ireland twice now and just loved it. The scenery and people are contagious, very welcoming and helpful, and the scenery is like they say “a thousand shades of green”. My wife now wants to go as my trips were years ago when I was a young lad, so it looks like Ireland is on our future itinerary.
As an American who lived in Ireland I beg you to NEVER (as an American) start bragging about being 100% Irish, especially if you have no friggin clue where your family is actually from in Ireland. I once got a round of applause by answering an Irish coworker who inquired where my family is from. When I looked at her like she was nuts and asked could she not understand my accent? I said I am 100% American of course. … It was more like a standing ovation! There is a genealogy library if you want to discuss your heritage take it there. Nothing more obnoxious than saying how Irish you are! Definitely don’t ask about “the Troubles” in the North.
Such good general advice. Starting with prepare clothing for four seasons in one day is really great advice. It is hard to understand until you see it and I saw so many fall victim to the weather changing quickly. All of it is really solid and I will point to this article in the future rather than give my long spiel for certain sure. I got hungry thinking about chicken roll. Stuffing and cheese. Been a while lol. They can ask about Leprachauns in Kerry . Or even Luricanes. But not the best County to ask for directions in sometimes 0_o Respect and many thanks for sticking up for our culture. You are a real one clearly.
Tremendously and comprehensive advice as I’ve been living in Ireland for many decades. Thank you, even I’ve learned a few things such as NI currency is not the same as the UK! The door swinging gets me everytime. I once held it for somebody in St. Stephens Green Shopping Centre that was probably 20 seconds away. They fast walked all the way to the door to take advantage of me holding it open. For pubs – the Cobblestone in Smithfield or Grogan’s off George’s street. Some further clarifications. In a house, tap water is fine to drink if you are drinking from the cold tap (or faucet( kitchen sink with is almost always connected directly to the water main. Drinking cold water from any other tap usually means you get the water from the cold storage tank which is not recommended. Never drink water from the hot tap nor use it in a kettle to expedite boiling.
When I was working in Yellowstone I had a family say they were from Ireland. I said, in my normal accent, “Well, if you’re from Ireland I have to ask: How’s the craic?” The looks on their faces were classic. I’m sure that was the last thing in the world they expected to hear an American ask. However, this American had visited Ireland and had good friends there. The craic was brilliant by the way.
My wife and I live in the US, Ireland is a lovley country. We flew into Dublin from Hethrow and took a train South to a little town call Rathnew. People were amazing. Loved the area and the kindness of everyone. We stayed in this Bed and brakfast that use to be the main carrage stop headding towards Watterford. Unfortunetly we could only stay a few days, We plan to return.
Thanks for the article! Just one point I wanted to make. 7.40 You CAN use Northern Irish notes in the UK! The odd person may have come across a shop worker in EngIand who has not understood the difference between notes from the North and South of IreIand .This is usuaIIy a genuine mistake because, especiaIIy in the south of EngIand, the notes aren’t common. These occurrences are now reaIIy rare. I used to traveI reguIarIy between BeIfast and MainIand Britain and onIy once in 15 years was a bank of IreIand note note questioned when I tried to use it. On that occassion I niceIy pointed out the SterIing symboI on the note and quickIy received an apoIogy.
I started going to Ireland in 1982. It was very different then. There were no big tourist traps, and it felt very genuine. If you didn’t have a good local friend or contact, you’d be hard pressed to find good accommodations. I’ve been back many times over the years and I love Ireland. If you told me I’d have to move to “Europe” I’d spend the rest of my days there.
Very comprehensive list! We are returning to Ireland in September. My brother used to live in Dublin (many years ago) and when I visited him I recall learning a few things – like the busses in Dublin will take you out if you don’t have your whits about you. And the sarcasm – it made me feel at home. My family has Irish roots on both sides. And the rest of the ancestors were Scottish. The humor, the sarcasm – it just felt very familiar. Everyone should try a Guinness in Ireland. Even if you think you hate it. Just try it there. And hire cars are absurdly expensive in Ireland. There is no way around it except choose the smallest and most are sticks so keep in mind if you can’t drive a manual you’ll pay up to $100/day for automatics.
As someone who has visited Ireland could I recommend this article – it is superb. Absolutely accurate. Ireland is so much like Australia. Spend a day in Belfast (maybe two) – One or two days in Dublin. However the countryside is beautiful. Would recommend the west coast. And the Irish people are wonderful. Spend a night in a country Irish pub – a wonderful experience – singing, stories and you meet great people. One of my favourite countries to visit. Thanks Laura.