Ireland – When to go, What to pack, What to see
2nd January 2017
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT IRELAND?
The best time to visit Ireland is when you can arrange it! There really is no bad time for an Ireland vacation.
That said, there are times that are less busy or the weather may be a bit less wet.
- Shoulder season – after Easter to early June and September to mid-October – sees fewer visitors so prices on everything from airfare to car rental to lodging are less.
- Summer, when most people take their ‘big’ vacation and kids are out of school, is the busiest. Thus, higher prices due to higher demand.
- Late August thru early September is nearly ideal. There is a saying in Ireland that the weather gets nice just as the kids go back to school.
- November can be a wonderful time to visit. Yes, the weather is a bit cooler and the days shorter, but crowds are thin and attractions are still open.
WHAT DO I NEED TO PACK FOR AN IRELAND VACATION?
This is entirely dependent on the type of vacation you plan, but this basic list works for 95% of visitors.
- Plan to dress in layers. Jeans or travel pants, a light shirt, a heavier shirt, and a jacket are a good daily outfit. Plan to re-wear pieces; mix & match.
- Most Ireland vacations involve a fair amount of walking. Bring sturdy shoes or boots that have a bit of water resistance.
- Pack extra pairs of warm socks. Alternately, wool socks make wonderful souvenirs.
- A good water resistant jacket. It doesn’t have to be a trench coat, just able to repel water for a reasonable amount of time.
- A roomy, comfortable bag to carry all day. It needs to carry your necessities (camera, wallet, umbrella, layers you remove).
- If you have a castle stay planned be sure to check the dress code for the on-site restaurants.
- For city breaks add a pair of comfy and attractive walking shoes that go with anything.
WHAT SHOULD WE SEE IN IRELAND?
Ah, now that’s the big question, isn’t it? For such a small country Ireland is bursting with activities and attractions!
- Decide what to see based on your interests. Foodie? History geek? Love castles? Sporty & adventurous? Ireland has all this – and more!- covered.
- When visiting very popular sites opt for later in the day. The majority of tour buses visit these attractions in the morning before moving on across the country. While you won’t miss all the buses, you will be happy to have avoided most of them.
- If you want to check peak times for visitors send a tweet or Facebook message to the attraction – they are happy to answer that question for you!
- Remember that though Ireland be small, she is not a quick country to explore. Less is more. Take your time.
Posted in Events, Family, History, Sightseeing, Stories, Uncategorised, Uncategorized and tagged Culture, family vacations, Ireland, Scenery, Sightseeing, Travel, Vacations, weather, Wild Atlantic Way
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