Ireland holidays

Essential Information

Why Ireland

From the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coast to the Sunny South-East and all of the 11 cities in between, it is time to start exploring the ‘Emerald Isle’ on holidays in Ireland. 

Visit Dublin’s Trinity College, sample a pint of Guinness in a traditional Irish pub in Belfast, or travel throughout Ireland’s diverse landscape which is scattered with medieval castles and be spellbound by the World Heritage Site that is the Giant’s Causeway and the stunning Cliffs of Moher. 

Courtesy of the warmth and charm of the local population, the astounding beauty of the countryside and an island saturated with history, the alluring atmosphere of the eternally green Ireland sucks you in from the second you step on land.  Dublin offers old-world charm and history mixed with contemporary shopping and exceptional entertainment and a unbelievable cuisine scene.  Head out to the countryside on Ireland holidays and you will see the gently rolling hills and idyllic landscapes, grand homes and impressive castles, and stone-built villages with welcoming pubs. 

The island is about 486 kilometers (302 miles) long and more than 270 kilometers (170 miles) wide, and covers about 84,000 square kilometer s (33,000 square miles). 

Ireland is home to 32 counties.  There are 26 counties across the Republic of Ireland and a further in 6 in the part of the United Kingdom that is Northern Ireland. 

Ireland is a country characterized by how young the people are.  One third of the population is less than 29 years old.  There are almost 6 million people living on the island of Ireland – 4.3 million in the Republic of Ireland and a further 1.7 million in Northern Ireland. 

Climate

On holidays to Ireland you will discover the climate is characterized by mild, damp and changeable weather with a lot of rain and few temperature extremes. 

January and February are the years’ coldest months and average daily air temperatures are between 4 and 7 degrees Celsius (39.2 and 44.6 Fahrenheit).  July and August are the warmest months, with average daily temperatures of 14 to 16 (57.2 to 60.8 Fahrenheit), while average maximums in July and August range from 17 to 18 degrees Celsius (62.6 to 64.4 Fahrenheit) in coastal areas, to 19 to 20 degrees Celsius (66.2 to 68.0 °F) inland.  May and June are the sunniest months. 

How to Spend Your Ireland Holidays

A great way to kick off your Ireland vacations is by visiting its capital city.  Dublin is steeped in history to explore, Dublin Castle is a great place to start, originally the seat of the British rule of Ireland.  The castle features an interesting museum, as well as a café and gift shop.  Another of Dublin’s historic buildings you should not miss is Christ Church Cathedral.  Built in the 11th century, the church is home to the largest crypt to be found in all of Great Britain and Ireland. 

With the money you have saved by booking holidays in Ireland with Booked.net you can indulge yourself in a bit of retail therapy.  Grafton Street is the most well-known shopping street in Dublin and has a great range of shops to browse.  If you are looking for a more high-end shopping experience, visit Brown Thomas, Dublin’s leading department store. 

Ireland has many astonishing natural wonders waiting to be discovered by you on Ireland vacations but the most famous of them has to be the Giant’s Causeway.  According to legend, its 40,000 interlocking columns are what is left of a causeway constructed by a giant.  Whatever you choose to believe, the causeways’ basalt columns are an impressive sight and you won’t regret visiting here.  Visiting the causeway is free, but it is worth paying entry to the visitors’ center, which is home to an exhibition on the region’s geology. 

If you are a fan of the immensely popular HBO series Game of Thrones, then Ireland is the ideal place to visit as it is here where much of the series is filmed.  The ideal way to see all of the locations for filming is with a special tour.  Simply board a bus; the tours take you around all the top locations like Ballycastle and the Cushendun Caves. 

Where to Stay

There are in excess of 3,500 places to stay on holidays to Ireland, including hotels, Irish Home B&Bs, hotels, self-catering, guest houses, hostels, glamping, camping, pods and more. 

That translates to more than 100,000 beds to lay your head down on Ireland vacations and look for the Quality Assurance stamp given by Fáilte Ireland.  Your holiday begins with Booked.net (after you do research and pack your bags, but you know what we mean). 

Check out Booked.net’s full range of accommodation in Ireland. 

When to Go

When you are thinking about the best time for visiting for your Ireland holidays, it is worth considering that no matter when you visit, it is wise to be prepared for wet and windy conditions, especially along Ireland’s west coast which faces on to the Atlantic – the source of much of Ireland’s and also Britain’s weather.  On average, it rains about 150 days a year along Ireland’s east and southeast coasts, and can rain up to as many as 225 days per year in the west and southwest. 

How to Get to Ireland

Ireland has four international airports, Dublin Airport in the country’s east, Ireland West Airport at Knock and Shannon Airport in the country’s west and Cork Airport in the south.  Ireland’s largest airport is Dublin Airport and it has the most routes and is the usual starting point for holidays in Ireland.  Dublin Airport features connections to the US and Canada, the Middle East, to the UK and Europe.  Shannon Airport, near the city of Limerick, also has flights to many of the same destinations as Dublin Airport.  Cork Airport offers flights to most major UK cities and a great range of European cities. 

Over the Northern Ireland border there are two airports in Belfast (International and City Airport) and also City of Derry Airport. 

Planning Your Holidays in Ireland

With Ireland taking the place of 5thLonely Planet’s ‘Best in Travel 2015’ guide this destination is sure to increase in popularity for Ireland vacations. 

Like any popular destination it pays to book ahead for holidays to Ireland.  Yes, you will not be able to get last minute bargains this way.  But you will also be safe from sudden price increases and you will be able to budget better once the costs for flights, accommodation and a rental car are out of the wa

Conclusion

From the rowdy character of the local pubs to the lively citizens of Dublin, the Irish are an amiable and bighearted lot.  As the natives say, “go where Ireland takes you”.  No matter if you have always dreamed of just a stroll in the streets of a pretty village or going exploring in a stately castle, Ireland and its people are awaiting your arrival.  Experience the very best of holidays in Ireland with Booked.net.