Ireland: How to make the most of your visit

First time visiting? Here's how to make your trip a successful one!

Ireland is arguably one of the best travel destinations for individuals and families, as it offers wonderful sights, landmarks, and attractions. Though world travel may seem daunting, using these tips, we’re sure you’ll enjoy it.

with stunning views, fascinating landmarks, and fun tourist experiences, Ireland has something for everyone.

Travel Tips

First of all, unless you live in Europe, you’ll probably be traveling by plane. Ireland has many airports, but we recommend flying into Dublin or Belfast, as these are the most trustworthy. Also, we recommend flying with aer lingus, which has excellent service and is a very good airline. Once you have arrived, make sure to take it easy for the first day or two (jet lag should not be underestimated). If you want to travel all across the island, we recommend renting a car. Although it may be tempting to take scenic routes, you’ll save hours of travel time if you take the main highways. When you’ve reached your destination, walk to the local attractions. Town roads are often tight and crowded, you’ll SAVE TIME by walking. One last tip: Don’t try to go everywhere. You’ll probably end up feeling very tired the last few days. Instead, explore a few regions and limit your travel time, especially with young children.

What to do in Ireland

The Cliffs of Moher

Located in West Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher are a fascinating sight for adults and children alike. You must reserve a boat tour ahead of time.

Dublin and the Guinness Storehouse

If you choose to visit Dublin (which we recommend), definitely try to tour the original Guinness Storehouse. Touring the brewery-turned museum was unquestionably one of the highlights of our visit.

Killarney

This beautiful town in County Kerry features Celtic castles, beaches, and excellent hiking trails. We recommend staying for multiple days, since you won’t want to miss out on the wonderful experiences inside and around the city.

The Aran Islands

There’s so much to do on the mainland that many folks miss out on the Aran Islands. Don’t overlook them! “One of the world’s top island destinations”, according to National Geographic, the islands showcase breathtaking views and contain historical and religious treasures. If you love history or majestic cliffs, you will appreciate the Aran Islands.

Weather and Environment

In case you didn’t know, it rains a lot in Ireland. Also, even if you’re traveling in the summer, the temperatures might drop below your comfort zone. Plan for the temperatures to hover around the 40-60 degree range in the spring and summer.

Food and Drink

Irish Pubs are everywhere, so don’t worry about having to travel far for dinner. The pubs are often loud and crowded, but have a pleasurable atmosphere and excellent service. There are also numerous tea shops with excellent food and drink that you can find all around Ireland. As well, there are a few restaurants, but don't count on them being them everywhere.

WARNING - don’t have high expectations for the food. Irish cuisine consists mostly of meat, cabbage, bread, and potatoes (Ireland is where the term “pub food” came from). Though the food may be on the plain side, Ireland is known for its excellent beers. For children and non-drinkers, the Irish also make tasty teas and sodas.

Thank you for reading this post. IF you enjoyed it, comment down below. Good luck on your next trip to Ireland!

-Brandon Isbell, BLEEM co-founder