cost of family trip to ireland

Cost of a Trip to Ireland & the Cheapest Time to Visit Ireland

The average price of a 7-day trip to Ireland is $1,305 for a solo traveler, $2,014 for a couple, and $2,987 for a family of 4 . Ireland hotels range from $56 to $310 per night with an average of $99, while most vacation rentals will cost $160 to $490 per night for the entire home. Average worldwide flight costs to Ireland (from all airports) are between $545 and $1,593 per person for economy flights and $1,711 to $5,002 for first class. Depending on activities, we recommend budgeting $42 to $85 per person per day for transportation and enjoying local restaurants.

See below for average , budget , and luxury trip costs. You can also look up flight costs from your airport for more tailored flight pricing.

The Cheapest Times to Visit Ireland

On average, these will be the cheapest dates to fly to Ireland and stay in a Ireland hotel:

• January 1st to April 1st
• September 17th to December 16th

The absolute cheapest time to take a vacation in Ireland is usually late January and early February .

Average Ireland Trip Costs

Average solo traveler.

The average cost for one person to visit Ireland for a week is $1,029-$2,597 ($147-$371 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $42 to $85 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $309 to $1,390 for economy

Lodging : $71 to $91 per night for one 2 or 3-star hotel room

or $84 to $102 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Average Couple’s Trip

The average cost for a couple to visit Ireland for a week is $1,638-$4,575 ($234-$654 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $85 to $169 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $617 to $2,780 for economy

Average Family Vacation

The average cost for 4 people to visit Ireland for a week is $3,167-$9,013 ($452-$1,288 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $169 to $338 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,234 to $5,561 for economy

Lodging : $143 to $181 per night for two 2 or 3-star hotel rooms

or $125 to $154 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Traveling Cheap to Ireland

How cheap can you make a vacation to Ireland? The cheapest trip to Ireland is about $105 per person per day for travelers willing to take standby flights, deal with inconvenience, and otherwise limit travel expenses. About 1% of rentals are available in the $0 to $100 range for an entire place, and vacation rentals can be booked for as low as $20 per night. These inexpensive rentals must be booked as early as possible and may not be in the most desirable areas. 1-star hotels are more likely to be available, with rooms starting at around $47.

Even cheaper trips are possible depending on where you live and whether you can drive. Check the cheapest times to fly for more saving ideas.

Budget Solo Traveler

The lowest cost for one person to visit Ireland for a week is $738-$2,506 ($105-$358 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $21 to $42 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Lodging : $47 to $56 per night for one 1-star hotel room

or $106 to $137 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Budget Couple’s Trip

The lowest cost for a couple to visit Ireland for a week is $1,193-$4,190 ($170-$599 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $42 to $84 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Budget Family Vacation

The lowest cost for 4 people to visit Ireland for a week is $2,386-$7,974 ($341-$1,139 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $84 to $169 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Lodging : $94 to $111 per night for two 1-star hotel rooms

or $159 to $205 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Overall it is possible but not easy to travel to Ireland cheaply.

The Cost of a Luxury Ireland Trip

There is no true ceiling on the cost of a luxury trip, so our estimates are based on what most people do in Ireland.

Luxury Solo Traveler

The high-end price for one person to visit Ireland for a week is $2,062-$10,496 ($295-$1,499 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $84 to $169 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $766 to $3,457 for first class

Lodging : $118 to $310 per night for one 4 or 5-star hotel room

or $486 to $976 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Luxury Couple’s Trip

The high-end price for a couple to visit Ireland for a week is $3,417-$15,144 ($488-$2,163 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $168 to $339 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,533 to $6,915 for first class

Luxury Family Vacation

The high-end price for 4 people to visit Ireland for a week is $6,847-$27,365 ($978-$3,909 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $337 to $678 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $3,066 to $13,829 for first class

Lodging : $237 to $620 per night for two 4 or 5-star hotel rooms

or $730 to $1,465 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Ireland Hotel Prices

The cost of staying in Ireland is about average than the average city. On average hotels are less expensive than vacation rentals. Luxury vacation rentals are more expensive in Ireland due to very high property costs. The graphs below show how much cost can vary depending on the type of experience you’re looking for.

Ireland Lodging Cost by Star Status

The average price for the class of hotel is on the (y) axis. The hotel class (out of 5 stars) is on the (x) axis.

Prices are based on Ireland hotel averages and may not reflect current prices. In some cases, we extrapolate prices to estimate costs, and hotels with your desired star rating may not be available.

Vacation Rental Prices

The percent of vacation rentals in the price range is on the left (y) axis. Price range is on the bottom (x) axis.

There are a healthy amount of vacation rentals serving all budgets in Ireland.

Flight Costs to Ireland

Averaging flights around the world, prices go from a high of $1,593 average in early to mid July to a low of $545 in late January and early February. Median flight price is $709. These prices are based on millions of flights. For Ireland our data includes thousands of originating airports, and hundreds of airlines. The area has average variance in price compared with other locations.

Average Flight Cost by Season

Average flight cost by day of week.

The cheapest day to fly in is typically Monday, and the cheapest day to fly back is usually Monday. Click here to see data for the cost of flights from your airport. In Ireland, the difference between the cheapest and the most expensive week is about $1,048, so you can easily save about 192% simply by using our free flight guides and booking in advance.

Daily Expenses Budget

Daily vacation expenses vary more based on what you’re interested in doing. A fine dining restaurant with drinks around Ireland can easily cost $317 per person or more, while a standard nice meal might be about $21 per person. Private tours can cost $633 per day, but self-guided tours to see the outdoor sights can be free. Costs vary wildly, so recommendations are made based on the cost of living and averages we see for this type of vacation.

Other Ireland Guides

Travel costs nearby.

• Birr, Ireland
• Portumna, Ireland
• Ballinasloe, Ireland
• Athlone, Ireland
• Nenagh, Ireland
• Roscrea, Ireland
• Kinnitty, Ireland
• Moate, Ireland
• Roscommon, Ireland
• Loughrea, Ireland

Travel Costs in Popular Places

• William F Hayden Green Mountain Park, the United States
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What a Trip to Ireland Costs in 2024 | Average Prices

Written by: Author Andrew Helling  |  Reviewed by: Sandy Mitchell

Andrew Helling is a licensed pilot, travel enthusiast, and the founder of Travellers Worldwide whose travel expertise has been quoted in countless publications across the web. Armed with a laptop and a Wi-Fi connection, he loves exploring the world with his wife and son and is always on the hunt for cheap flights and new adventures... Learn More

Sandy Mitchell is a travel expert and the content reviewer/fact checker at Travellers Worldwide. Using the experience she gained working in the travel industry for more than 20 years, as a travel agent, travel marketing executive, and cruise school administrator, Sandy fact-checks and reviews each of our guides to ensure they're as accurate and helpful as possible... Learn More

Posted on Last updated: January 12, 2024 - Travellers Worldwide is reader-supported. If you buy a product we link to, we may earn a commission. Learn more

What's an average trip to Ireland cost?

A trip to Ireland for one person typically will cost around  $1,600. This estimate includes expenses for accommodation, round-trip flights, daily spending on food, drinks, and activities, as well as transportation.

On average, you can expect to spend about $80 per day on accommodation, with round-trip flights costing around $700. Daily expenses for food, drinks, and activities may average at $30 per person, while transportation costs can be approximately $25 per day.

If you were to take a random survey of people on the street, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t have Ireland occupying one of the top spots on their travel destination bucket list.

Who hasn’t dreamed of a trip to the Emerald Isle, land of shamrocks and leprechauns, rye whiskey and bannock cakes, ancient ruins, lush green landscapes, and maybe best of all, no snakes!

Luckily, a fun and educational Irish vacation is within the means of most people with a little planning and preparation. And the first place you should start is calculating a budget by determining how much your trip to Ireland is going to cost.

Obviously, your itinerary is a very personal thing and the cost of your trip to Ireland will depend on the things you want to see and do while you’re there.

And, of course, prices can go up or down somewhat between the time you plan your trip and the time you depart.

But by a careful consideration of all the variables involved in your travel and accommodations, you can arrive at a pretty good rough estimation of the total expense of your own trip.

And that’s just what our travel experts have done for you. We’ll show you the average prices for the basic trip necessities and offer you valuable pro-tips on how to save money, avoid hassles, stay safe, and have fun on your travels to this picturesque country.

Consider us your personal travel advisor for your upcoming trip to Ireland!

Average Trip to Ireland Cost in 2024

These are the current average cost estimates per person by category on a trip to Ireland:

• Average Accommodation Cost: $80 per day
• Average Flight Cost: $700 (round trip)
• Food, Drink, & Activities: $30 per day
• Transportation: $25 per day
• Total Cost: $1,645

Being such an attractive travel destination means that tourism is a big contributor to Ireland’s economy and they do all they can to make touring and sightseeing in the country as tourist-friendly as possible.

You’ll find a wide range of services and amenities, something to suit any budget and taste. No matter if you’re vacationing on a shoestring budget or splurging on your dream honeymoon, you’ll be able to plan the perfect itinerary for your trip to Ireland.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these expense categories below along with some helpful insights and tips.

Ireland Trip Cost: Average by Item

Jamegaw/Shutterstock

Accommodation Costs

Ireland boasts a wide variety of options for the weary traveler to rest their head after a long day of exploration and adventure. You’ll find all the usual hotels, B&Bs, Airbnb rentals, inns, and guesthouses, as well as a plethora of more exotic and unusual accommodations.

You’ll have no trouble finding a place to stay regardless if your destinations are rural or urban. Standards of cleanliness and safety in public accommodations are high all around the country.

For the really budget-conscious tourist, it’s possible to find youth hostels and church or charity traveler shelters for cheap or free. Hotels tend to run between $15 and $20 per night.

To really experience the history, heritage, and natural beauty of the island, consider renting a room in one of the many ancient castles or in a quaint thatched-roof cottage.

You can spend some time in a centuries-old house on a working farm or on the ocean in a small fishing village.

Hotels in Ireland are rated with the familiar 5-star system, and the more luxurious, and expensive, establishments are located in the larger cities such as Dublin, Galway, and Cork.

As with any travel destination, prices are lower in the off-season and higher in the peak season from spring to late fall.

Flight Costs

Commercial flights to Ireland will vary widely according to your departure point, but the worldwide average runs from as low as $350 to $1,600 per person for economy class and from $1,700 to $5,000 for a first-class seat.

Pretty much every major airline offers flights to Eire though, as always, you should shop around for the best deals and easiest routes. Ireland boasts five busy international airports, with the largest being Dublin Airport, followed by the airports in Shannon, Knock, Belfast, and Cork.

The cheapest flights to Ireland will be found in the off-season from around September to April, except for the holiday season from mid-December to mid-January, and, of course, around St. Patrick’s Day in March.

It’s generally good practice to book your travel well in advance and to be flexible in your travel dates to find the best deals.

You don’t want to have any nasty surprises pop up on your trip to Ireland, so always check with the official Irish government website  for any travel restrictions or advisories before you leave.

Food, Drink, & Activity Costs

An indispensable part of the fun of traveling to a new place is sampling the local culinary fare and entertainment venues.

It simply wouldn’t be a proper trip to Ireland if you didn’t try the traditional foods, quaff the locally brewed stouts and liquors while enjoying the unique Irish pub culture, and see and do all the cool stuff you’ll discover on your route.

But remember food, drink, and entertainment costs  can quickly add up and bust your budget. The reported average is about $30 per day per person, but with so much temptation around, you should probably pad that figure by at least another $20.

You’ll find all the familiar fast-food restaurants in Ireland in the cities and smaller towns, as well as smaller family-style restaurants catering to the locals with reasonable prices.

You should be able to save enough on most days to afford a more lavish dinner or two in the city or on the coast. Don’t ignore the many pubs you’ll encounter for excellent food at prices that won’t strain your wallet.

Tipping isn’t as big of a thing in Ireland as it is in the U.S. and you’ll often find a small service fee added to your bill in lieu of leaving a tip. If you do want to leave a tip, the usual 10-15 percent is fine or even just rounding up the tab will suffice.

You’ll come across lots of farmer’s markets in the Irish countryside with low-priced locally grown and raised products and it’s quick and easy to stop and gather the ingredients for a lovely and economical picnic in a roadside park or historical site.

Fish markets abound on the coasts too. If you plan your itinerary so you can stay at inns and hotels that offer a kitchenette, you can even cook your own cheap meals on the road.

Transportation Costs

Ireland is blessed with a great public transportation system and it’s entirely doable to go anywhere you want by train and bus and in taxis and ride shares in the cities.

The fares are quite reasonable , their infrastructure is modern and well-maintained, and the carriages are clean. Depending on your mode of transport, $25-$50 per day per person is a good estimate for transportation costs.

You can also book tours that will shuttle you around to all the main tourist destinations and, although that might be more expensive, it may be worth it to save time and trouble.

But to really experience the Irish countryside, you can’t beat driving yourself in a rental car. If you’re only going to be in the country for a short time, your regular driver’s license will suffice.

Yes, they drive on the wrong side of the road in Ireland, but you’ll find that with a little bit of careful practice on the side roads you’ll have it mastered in no time.

Rental rates are about the same as in the U.S. but insurance fees can be higher because of damage routinely caused by tourists driving down narrow roads.

Also, most rental cars will sport a manual transmission, so if you need an automatic, you should let the rental car company know in advance and be ready to pay a higher fee.

Things to Consider

SAKhanPhotography/Shutterstock

Here are a few other things besides costs to keep in mind to ensure that your trip to Ireland is fun and hassle-free:

• Your phone’s maps app won’t always be accurate on the back roads of rural Ireland, so make sure you have an old school paper map with you as a backup. Many of the roads you’ll encounter off the beaten path will be narrow and curvy and your travel will be slow, so make the necessary time adjustments to get to your destination.
• You’ll need to bring a plug adaptor, as Ireland uses 230v/50hz, requiring a three-prong adapter. In some places, you may need a voltage converter unless your device is rated for dual voltage. Check it out before plugging things in.
• There’s a difference between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The much smaller region in the north of the island is still a part of the UK, so if you want to go there you’ll be crossing a border into a different country.
• The Euro is used in the Republic of Ireland, while in the north they use the British Pound. If you’re going to carry cash and are going over the border or near it you might want to have some of both on hand. However, ATM machines and currency exchanges are plentiful and credit cards are widely accepted pretty much everywhere, so you shouldn’t have any trouble paying for things.
• English and Gaelic are both official languages in Ireland and the road signs are usually written in both. But don’t worry, although you might encounter people speaking Gaelic in the smaller villages, you’ll get by just fine in English, although you might have some difficulty understanding the heavy brogue accent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jan Stria/Shutterstock

Will I need a visa to visit Ireland?

It depends on which country you’re coming from. If you’re a citizen of the EU or the EAA member states (Norway, Iceland, and Lichtenstein), the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Australia, or New Zealand, then you don’t need a visa to enter Ireland.

What is the best time of year to take a trip to Ireland?

The summer months from June to August offer wonderful weather and longer days, although spring and fall can also be mild and pleasant and have the advantage of attracting fewer tourists and thus having fewer crowds and better travel deals.

What kind of clothes should I pack for the Irish weather?

The Irish weather is famous for being unpredictable and capable of changing very quickly. One day it can be sunny and warm and the next it might be chilly and raining. Even in the summer, the evenings can be chilly. Be sure to bring along some warm clothing and a waterproof jacket along with some comfortable shoes for walking.

What are some must-see attractions in Ireland?

The most visited attractions include the famous Cliffs of Moher, the Giant’s Causeway, the Ring of Kerry, Trinity College, and the Guinness Storehouse, just to name a few. The city of Dublin is considered a must-visit by many tourists. You’ll never get bored in Ireland.

Is it safe to travel in Ireland?

Ireland is considered by most to be a very safe tourist destination. You’ll need to exercise the same common sense you would use back home. Take precautions against pickpockets and petty thieves in the cities and in crowds.

So, What Does an Average Trip to Ireland Cost?

Our estimate of an average cost of $135 per person per day for a trip to Ireland, based on recent tourist surveys and reports, is pretty accurate for someone trying to stay within a budget yet splurging occasionally on experiences.

But in the end, the cost of your trip to Ireland is completely up to you and what you want to do and see in this beautiful, ancient, and magical country.

So, with so much to see and do and the ability to visit this amazing country on a budget, what are you waiting for — book your trip today and experience for yourself all that Ireland has to offer. Happy travels!

When to Go: The Best & Worst Times to Visit Ireland in 2024 Is Ireland Safe to Visit in 2024? | Safety Concerns Where to Stay: Where to Stay in Ireland in 2024 | Best Areas & Hotels What to Do: 15 Best Golf Courses in Ireland in 2024 | Our Top Picks The 15 Best Hikes in Ireland (Our Favorites in 2024)

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• How much do I need for a trip to Ireland?
• Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
• Travel Guide

How much does it cost to travel to Ireland?

You should plan to spend around $156 (€143) per day on your vacation in Ireland. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

• $45 (€41) on meals
• $27 (€25) on local transportation
• $147 (€134) on hotels

A one week trip to Ireland for two people costs, on average, $2,184 (€2,001) . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

• Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
• Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 156 € 143
• One Week Per person $ 1,092 € 1,001
• 2 Weeks Per person $ 2,184 € 2,001
• One Month Per person $ 4,680 € 4,288
• One Week For a couple $ 2,184 € 2,001
• 2 Weeks For a couple $ 4,368 € 4,003
• One Month For a couple $ 9,360 € 8,577

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Ireland cost?

A one week trip to Ireland usually costs around $1,092 (€1,001) for one person and $2,184 (€2,001) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Ireland on average costs around $2,184 (€2,001) for one person and $4,368 (€4,003) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Ireland will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Ireland on average costs around $4,680 (€4,288) for one person and $9,360 (€8,577) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Organized tours are usually more expensive than independent travel, but offer convenience and peace of mind that your trip has been planned by a travel expert.

The average price for an organized tour package in Ireland is $293 per day. While every tour varies by total price, length, number of destinations, and quality, this is the daily average price based on our analysis of available guided tours.

• Irish Escape 7 Days - 11 Destinations $ 1,199
• Authentic Ireland - Multi-Day - Small Group Tour of Ireland 10 Days - 19 Destinations $ 2,965

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Ireland is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.

Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Ireland is moderately priced compared to the other countries. The overall cost of travel here is comparable to Belgium or Spain.

For more details, see Is Ireland Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Ireland?

The average Ireland trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Ireland travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Ireland

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Ireland is $73 (€67). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Ireland is $147 (€134). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

• Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 73 € 67
• Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 147 € 134

Hotel Prices in Ireland

Looking for a hotel in Ireland? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Actual Hotel Prices The average hotel room price in Ireland based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $129. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.

Recommended Properties

• The Cliff House Hotel Budget Hotel - Kayak $ 166
• St Columbs House Luxury Hotel - Kayak $ 141

Local Transportation Budget in Ireland

The cost of a taxi ride in Ireland is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $27 (€25) per person, per day, on local transportation in Ireland.

• Local Transportation 1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. $ 27 € 25

Recommended Services

• Dublin Airport transfers: Luxury transfer To/From DUB per vehicle Viator $ 168
• Shannon Airport to Galway City, Private Chauffeur Transfer . Premium Sedan Viator $ 222

What did other people spend on Local Transportation?

Typical prices for Local Transportation in Ireland are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Ireland, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Rental Car for a Day € 15

Food Budget in Ireland

While meal prices in Ireland can vary, the average cost of food in Ireland is $45 (€41) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Ireland should cost around $18 (€16) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Ireland is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

• Food 2 Meals for one day $ 45 € 41

Recommended

• Irish Craic & Cuisine: Cooking Class & Dinner in Central Dublin Viator $ 109
• Private Market Tour and Irish Cooking Class in a Modern Skerries Home Viator $ 102

What did other people spend on Food?

Typical prices for Food in Ireland are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Ireland, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Lunch Lynam's Pub € 3.95
• Fish & Chips Dinner € 8.12
• Lunch for Two € 32

Entertainment Budget in Ireland

Entertainment and activities in Ireland typically cost an average of $21 (€19) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

• Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 21 € 19

Recommended Activities

• Dublin Panoramic e-Bike Tour with Howth Adventures Viator $ 66
• Cliffs Of Moher Hiking Tour from Doolin - Small Group Viator $ 38

What did other people spend on Entertainment?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Ireland are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Ireland, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• St Pauls Cathedral € 4.50
• Dublin Writer's Museum € 6.30
• Guinness Brewery for Two € 27
• Wild Wicklow Tour € 26

Tips and Handouts Budget in Ireland

The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Ireland is $7.11 (€6.52) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Ireland is 5% - 15% .

• Tips and Handouts 1 For guides or service providers $ 7.11 € 6.52

Alcohol Budget in Ireland

The average person spends about $17 (€15) on alcoholic beverages in Ireland per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

• Alcohol 2 Drinks for one day $ 17 € 15
• Dublin Pub Tour (Private Walking Tour) Viator $ 235
• Pub Crawl Walking Tour Through the Heart of Irelands Capital Viator $ 40

Water Budget in Ireland

On average, people spend $4.53 (€4.15) on bottled water in Ireland per day. The public water in Ireland is considered safe to drink.

• Water 2 Bottled water for one day $ 4.53 € 4.15

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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

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How to Plan an Epic Family Vacation to Ireland Itinerary

Ireland is an incredibly deceptive country.

It’s small… roughly the size of the state of Indiana, which leads people to believe that they can zip from one place to another quickly and “see it all” in a week to 10 day long trip on their Ireland vacation.

Despite its small size, Ireland is filled with an incredible wealth of magical castles, breathtaking views, ancient history and charming pubs.

Add to that the narrow rural roads, the friendly locals and the many (many) discoveries to make at each and every place you visit and that “see it all” vacation to Ireland itinerary becomes overwhelming and rushed; far too much to do in a single visit.

When I coach families planning their first visit to Ireland or I plan one of my Ireland tours I find that a few thoughts remain constant…

Everyone wants to view the stunning Cliffs of Moher, drive the Ring of Kerry and see a castle (or 2 or 3) on their Ireland trip. 

But, beyond that, the ideas are vague…  traditional music is often mentioned, as is the thought of learning Irish dance, but how to see and do these things?  Often first time visitors aren’t sure where to begin.

First Visit to Ireland Itinerary

For a first-time visit to the Emerald Isle , I most often recommend Ireland’s “sunny Southwest”, the counties of Kerry, Limerick and Clare.

In these three counties your family can experience some of Ireland’s most magical locations, breathtaking sights, incredible history and beautiful culture.

For this itinerary (based on a one week vacation) I recommend arriving at Shannon Airport, if at all possible; it will save you a few hours of driving time.

Airfare is generally the same as getting to Dublin, although it can be a bit more depending on your departure city.

Day 1 & 2: Killarney, Ireland

Get your rental car in Shannon and begin your self-drive journey to Killarney as you explore Ireland. The most popular tourist town in the Southwest, you’ll find plenty of shopping and dining centered in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.

I recommend splitting your day in 2 halves, with a more grown-up activity and a more kid-friendly activity, with room to fill in with spontaneous explorations. 

With so many things to do in this area, you may find it difficult to choose your activities.

Learn more about renting a car in Ireland

Killarney Hotels

Things to do in killarney.

• Take a jaunting cart ride from Killarney to Ross Castle, through Killarney National Park .
• Drive to Muckross House and Gardens.  Tour the house and the Traditional Farms or just wander the beautiful grounds.  Be sure to wander to Muckross Abbey where many of Ireland’s High Kings are buried.
•  Enjoy the beautiful views at Tork Waterfall and the Ladies’ View.
• Rent a bicycle or walk through the Gap of Dunloe.
• Just outside Killarney is Kennedy’s Pet Farm, a fun hands-on petting zoo with deer, rabbits, peacocks, puppies, sheep and more.

Find more things to do in Killarney

Dingle Peninsula

Skip the land tour of the Ring of Kerry and instead take a day trip to the Dingle Peninsula . 

The scenery is just as beautiful and you’ll find incredible history to explore like the Gallarus Oratory, a stone age fort and beehive huts on your day tour. 

Dingle also has an incredible aquarium and its most famous resident is a dolphin named Fungi.

NOTE: as of late 2020, Fungi the dolphin had not been seen in the bay for quite some time . Local residents assume this beloved dolphin is now resting in peace.

Day 3 & 4: County Limerick and County Cork

Leave Killarney (I know- there is still so much to do!) and head to Ballyhoura Country.  This region of Ireland covers much of County Limerick and the northern portion of County Cork.

Limerick Hotels and B&Bs

I highly recommend staying at The Old Bank B&B in Bruff , though you’ll find other options in the area as well.

More places to stay in Limerick, Ireland

Things to do in Limerick and Cork

The donkey sanctuary.

As you drive toward Bruff, plan to stop at The Donkey Sanctuary near Mallow.

Hundreds of abused and neglected donkeys from across Ireland have found a beautiful home here. Take time to walk the farm trails or cuddle the donkeys at the entrance.  

Pop into the gift shop before you go… You can adopt a donkey!

Plan on at least half a day exploring the magic of Lough Gur. Stone and Bronze Age artifacts have been found throughout the area. 

You can also explore the largest stone circle in Ireland, the entrance to faerie land, the Giant’s Grave and stand where ruling clans once hung their enemies.

The town of Kilmallock is filled with history- as well as being the hub of walking and cycling in the area. 

You’ll find the Loop Walks to be family friendly and the Ballyhoura Mouintains incredibly scenic.

Rampling Houses

Scattered throughout the region are ‘Rambling Houses’; evening entertainments of live music, storytelling and dancing. 

A few quick phone calls can set you up for an evening of craic (pronounced “crack”; the Irish for fun and entertainment) you won’t soon forget.

Glen of Aherlow

Enjoy the astounding beauty of the Glen of Aherlow from horseback.  Plan a trail ride with Hillcrest Riding Centre.

Explore more towns and Villages

And don’t overlook the towns and villages.  Bruff, Adare, Emly and Kilmallock all have extensive histories, as do many of the other towns in the area.

Days 5 & 6: Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher

It’s time to leave Bruff and head north to Doolin to hit up the one item on your dream vacation to Ireland– the Cliffs of Moher. 

On your way you’ll stop at one of the best restored castles for families- Bunratty.  In fact, you probably saw it as you left the Shannon Airport.

Doolin Hotels and Vacation Rentals

Bunratty castle.

Bunratty Castle is terrific for families, and preferred over Blarney Castle (although you won’t get to kiss the Blarney Stone at this castle). 

You can explore the castle all the way to the top battlements. The surrounding Folk Park is filled with traditional Irish cottages, a cute village with stores and a nice pub for lunch and plenty of animals in the farm.

Kids adore the Irish Wolfhounds.  And you must visit the piggery…  just for the name alone.  If the kids are young enough to enjoy a play area, they will love the one at Bunratty.

Be sure to let them run off their energy before you get back in the car to drive up the Atlantic coast to the Cliffs of Moher.

Cliffs of Moher

No matter how many photos you’ve seen, you will be unprepared for the dramatic beauty of the Cliffs of Moher in Western Ireland. 

Take time in the visitor’s centre and learn the history of the cliffs before climbing the steep paths for the view.  It is breathtaking.

Just don’t get anywhere close to the edge. Too many tourists enjoying a bit of sightseeing have fallen off the cliffs when the ground gave out closer to the edge.

Things to do in Doolin, Ireland

From the Cliffs of Moher it is just a short drive to Doolin, a lovely village known for traditional music. 

By now you have probably learned that pubs are kid friendly, so make sure the kids have a bit of a rest so you can stay for a session (an informal gathering of musicians).

• Explore the Burren. The Poulnabrone Dolmen and Aillwee Caves are just incredible to see.
• Take a cruise on the Doolin Ferry to see the Cliffs of Moher from an entirely different angle.
• Plan a day trip to the Aran Islands.
• Enjoy a traditional Irish music session at one of the traditional pubs in town.
• Take the very scenic drive to Loop Head. Wander a nearby sandy beach looking for shells, visit the Loop Head Lighthouse (the last landmark between County Clare and America) or visit the natural “Bridges of Ross”.

Day 7: Shannon , Ireland

It’s your final day of your Ireland getaway.  If you are flying out of Dublin, it’s time to head that way. Pop into Trinity College and Dublin Castle if you have time.

If you’re final day is in the Shannon Region, take a look through the list of things you wanted to do but didn’t have time for. Or maybe the things you wanted to do, but the weather didn’t agree.

When all else fails, head to Galway. This college town is one of our favorite day trips.

Relax, enjoy your last day in Ireland and begin planning your return trip to see as many Irish castles as possible!

Jody Halsted is a family travel authority with a mad passion for Ireland.  A frequent visitor to the country, she loves nothing more than exploring the country with her husband and two daughters. 

Jody has a FREE Ireland itinerary at her site Ireland With Kids. GRAB IT NOW .  Jody also plans Ireland itineraries and provides Ireland travel coaching.  Get inspired by the Ireland Family Vacations Pinterest boards or follow Jody on Twitter @IrelandFamTrvl .

Ireland (Dublin) Destination Guide

This page contains affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!)

Dublin Hotels

• Dublin Skylon Hotel : A family run hotel situated near many Dublin landmarks. Hotel features free Wi-Fi, paid parking, and a bar/lounge.
• The Mayson : Beautiful hotel with pool, free Wi-Fi, and bar/lounge.
• The Croke Park : An unforgettable experience. The Croke Park is nestled close to Dublin center and features conference facilities, free parking, and Wi-Fi.
• The Grafton Hotel : Fun boutique hotel near Temple bar with free Wi-Fi and parking nearby.
• Anantara The Marker Dublin : Luxury hotel with a pool, spa and free Wi-Fi within walking distance of most attractions.

Looking for more? Search for the best Dublin hotel on Expedia.com .

Dublin Vacation Rentals

• Condo Across from Temple Bar : Sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms + 1 bath
• City Centre Apartment : Sleeps 5 in 2 bedroom + 1 bath
• Stunning Penthouse in the Heart of Dublin : Sleeps 4 in 2 bedroom + 2 baths
• The Yellow Door : Sleeps 22 in 6 bedrooms (16 beds) + 5 baths

Need a car? Grab the best rates on rental cars HERE (and yes, we use this site for every trip).

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About The Author

Keryn Means

10 thoughts on “how to plan an epic family vacation to ireland itinerary”.

I so would love to visit Ireland. I visited England when I was younger, and had so much fun..it was so green! Love the idea of visiting as many places as possible..but I think that I would take weeks to explore the area.

Lisa- this is the year to visit Ireland! So much is going on because of The Gathering that doesn’t normally happen. In the decade I’ve been visiting Ireland I’ve yet to “see it all” and still find new places every time we return!

I’m ready to pack my bags! This is a great itinerary. The first picture you included is amazing. Absolutely love it and would definitely enjoy a cart ride even without my children. I have heard to skip the Ring of Kerry for Dingle before so it must be a good tip.

Debbie- Thank you for such kind words. Riding in a jaunting cart is definitely a must do in Killarney- even if it is touristy! Just talking with the jarvey is amazing- so much history to hear and riding through Killarney National Park is gorgeous!

I’ve done both the Ring of Kerry and Dingle and much preferred Dingle- which is why I recommend it!

That Irish breakfast looks yummy!

You can never go wrong with a Full Irish breakfast! Of course, you easily gain 10 pounds from all the brown bread and meats…. But so worth it!

I love that little house in the first photo! Can I live there! Ireland is a place we haven’t been, time to put it on the list!

Laurel- the cottage is in the middle of Killarney National Park. I wish I could live there!

Great article – and I’ll be using the information on an upcoming trip to Ireland. But the page appears as grey writing on a black background. It is very hard to read!

Bronwyn what browser are you using? My site has a white background with black text, so the fact that you are seeing the opposite is very concerning. Thanks!

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What Does a Trip to Ireland Cost? 2024 Ireland Trip Budget

I have traveled to Ireland multiple times and I’ve managed to see many of the highlights of this charming island nation, including bustling Dublin , the Ancient East, the Dingle and Kerry Peninsulas, the stunning Cliffs of Moher, and the beauty of Northern Ireland . I’ve also helped many families plan trips to Ireland back in my days of a travel advisor. Needless to say, all this trip research, both personal and professional, has helped me wrap my head around how much a trip to Ireland costs for a family.

Below is an outline of an Ireland trip budget that families can use when planning their visit to Ireland. This Ireland trip budget includes the average cost of flights , approximate cost of accommodations in Ireland for families, how much to expect to pay for a rental car or driver , cost of activities and experiences , food costs , and tips on when to go to save money. Fortunately, with the right planning, travel in Ireland can be more affordable than other European destinations.

How Much Does a Trip to Ireland Cost?

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission.

I have based this Ireland vacation budget on the pricing for two adults and two children between the ages of 6-11, traveling from the United States in the summer months , and spending nine nights in Ireland.

For purposes of this post, I used a typical family vacation itinerary to Ireland that focuses on exploring Dublin and western Ireland. This budget is based on spending three nights in Dublin, three nights in Killarney (southwest Ireland), and three nights in Galway (due west of Dublin).

The bottom line is that a nine night trip to Ireland for a family with two adults and two young children in the summer costs an average of $9,140 or $254 per person, per day. But read on to see the budget breakdown and tips and ideas for savings that I used when planning my trips to Ireland, and I’ve also made recommendations on what I think is worth splurging on based on personal experience and feedback from clients.

You can easily swap Western Ireland for Southern Ireland or focus on Northern Ireland . These changes would only have a small impact on cost, as prices across Ireland and Northern Ireland are fairly consistent. Ireland’s currency is the Euro (though Northern Ireland uses Great British Pounds). I have converted all prices to U.S. dollars in this post.

Ireland Airfare Costs

Airfare is one of the biggest areas of cost savings for a trip to Ireland when compared to other European destinations. In fact, many people end up taking a vacation to Ireland solely because they snagged a great deal on airfare. But before you book that flight, here are a few things to be aware of.

Some of the best deals on airfare to Ireland come from budget airlines, like Play Airlines or Norse Airlines. The national carrier of Aer Lingus is a good “happy medium” to consider.

You can also look at flights in and out of Shannon Airport. Shannon is located on the west coast of Ireland and has many arrivals and departures to the US daily. Shannon is only a one-to-three hour drive from many of the major countryside regions that people want to visit, like Killarney, Limerick, Galway, and Connemara.

Utilizing this airport saves you from backtracking to Dublin at the end of the trip to fly home (and can ultimately save you money in another night of accommodation, another day of car rental, etc.) It is also much easier to deal with than Dublin, but you can still pre-clear U.S. immigration.

In the summer months, families can expect to pay about $500-900 per person in the summer. In the shoulder season of spring and fall, you may find deals for less from major U.S. hubs (just avoid the St. Patrick’s Day and Easter holidays). Another huge budget saver: consider visiting in winter.

Irish weather is often cold and wet year-round, but it rarely gets below freezing there. Meaning if you dress properly, you can still enjoy the outdoors even in winter, when flight prices drop.

When looking for airfare deals, I highly recommend signing up for a membership to  Going , which will send you airfare deal alerts for the cities that you are interested in.

Total airfare cost: $2,700 ($675 per person)

Irish Accommodations Cost

A trip to Ireland is a time to forego the nondescript corporate hotel chain in favor of friendly accommodation options that immerse your family in Irish hospitality. Consider booking a stay in a rural bed and breakfast , a farm stay, or a cozy cottage rental.

In general, basic four-star accommodation in Ireland is around $200-350 per night in the summer months, and that includes properties in central Dublin. The caveat is you must plan ahead: most properties have a limited number of rooms that can comfortably sleep four, and these are often booked months in advance.

Once those are gone, you’ll have to book two rooms, doubling your accommodation costs. I’ve helped many clients in the spring for summer travel who had to pay $400-500 each night at a hotel that was half that amount a few months earlier because of this.

If you do opt for a more rustic experience, even if just for a night or two, you can easily find options in the three-star quality range for around $100-150 a night. Rooms will be basic, but clean. On-site amenities will be limited (probably just a small breakfast room and very limited front desk staff), but the service is typically still very friendly.

If your budget is flexible, do consider splurging on a night or two in a five-star castle hotel , like Adare Manor , Ashford Castle , or Dromoland Castle . Summer prices for a family room at these properties range from $1,000-$2,000 per night, so it does come with a hefty price tag but the experience is so memorable.

That said, one of my favorite money-saving tips is that the premier castle hotels (like those mentioned above) often have more budget-friendly sister properties on site. Like the Inn at Dromoland Castle and the Lodge at Ashford Castle , where you can still get a taste of the experience but for hundreds of dollars less per night. Guests at these properties are typically still allowed to utilize many of the on-site amenities at the castle (be advised that many activities are an extra cost, though).

Total Accommodation cost: $3,150 ($350 x 9 nights)

Car Rental/Transportation Costs

Driving in Ireland is intimidating, but I also find it one of the best ways to explore the country as it allows you to go at your own pace and make some hidden discoveries of your own. With children, it also means you have the flexibility to stop when you want, or let the kids sleep off some jetlag in the backseat on longer travel days.

Do expect to pay a bit of a premium for an automatic car, and be sure to reserve one well in advance as manual cars are more prevalent in Ireland. But the ease of an automatic is definitely worth it.

Check in with your credit card company to determine what level of insurance coverage they provide on car rental bookings abroad. The odds that you’ll have a little fender bender with a stone wall on a narrow road isn’t that rare for American drivers!

If you’re not comfortable driving on the opposite side of the narrow, twisty roads, then consider booking a private driver. This can easily start at $700 per day so you’ll need to budget accordingly. One way to keep costs down is to utilize public transportation for your point A to point B travel journeys.

Another cost-saving tip: don’t pick up your rental car until the day you depart Dublin. Dublin is relatively small geographically, so you can easily explore on foot and through a few taxi rides during your time there.

Check rates on Car Rentals in Ireland  from Auto Europe

Total transportation cost: $1,000 (including 6 days of car rental and a few taxis/public transportation services)

Food Costs in Ireland

Nearly all hotels include a hearty Irish breakfast in the cost of accommodation, so I encourage families to fuel up on that meal. A light lunch could easily be $10 per person each day at casual spots, allowing you to splurge on a heartier and nicer dinner.

Take full advantage of the local food movement that is revolutionizing Irish cuisine. Allocate $20-30 per person for dinner, more if you indulge in a fine dining restaurant (particularly in hotels.) In general, budget around  $160-175 each day, possibly more if you know your family prefers more upscale dining.

Total food cost: $1,440

Tours and Activities

This is the most challenging aspect of budgeting for a trip to Ireland, in part because it’s so personal to each family and their travel style. In general, activity costs will be a bit higher while in Dublin, when you want to do more sightseeing and will likely pay more in entrance fees. (Find out 5 free things to do in Dublin .) I would highly recommend a visit to the EPIC Museum, Trinity College’s Book of Kells exhibition, and maybe a tour of the Guinness Storehouse. (See my 3 day Dublin itinerary .)

Fortunately, activities in rural Ireland are practically free, especially if your family loves the great outdoors. Plan to do a lot of hiking, some castle visits, etc. Entrance fees to major sites will be less than $20 per person, and many are free or only charge for parking.

If you do want to splurge on a few special experiences , I’d suggest a falconry course, an archery lesson, or maybe an Irish dancing class. For private experiences, expect to pay $250-$550 for these half-day activities.

Total Activity cost: $850

Total Cost of a Trip to Ireland: $9,140 (for a family of four for nine days)

This is below the per day budget that is the norm for families traveling at a four-star level in other parts of Europe, which is why I feel Ireland is more of a bargain compared to mainland Europe.

And I also think families can travel to Ireland for under $8,000 in total if they fly a budget airline and do more basic accommodations and fewer pricier activities. That said, if you want to travel in luxury, with castle stays and private drivers throughout, it’s easy for the total cost to rise well above $10,000.

Still undecided where to go? We also have budget breakdowns for London , Paris , Italy , Portugal , Greece , Japan , Morocco , and Iceland .

Visiting Ireland? You may also be interested in…

• 3 Days in Dublin
• Stops on the Coastal Causeway in Northern Ireland
• Game of Thrones sites in Northern Ireland
• Things to do in Waterford, Ireland
• Ireland travel tips

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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.

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Publish Date: December 1, 2023

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Is Ireland Expensive? Trip to Ireland Cost Guide in 2024

Last Updated on December 12, 2023

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Is Ireland expensive? How much will a trip to Ireland cost? As one of the most popular places to visit on this side of the Atlantic and, for many, their first sojourn into Europe, Ireland isn’t always considered to be the best destination for budget travellers.

Especially considering that its capital city of Dublin is an expensive city and one of the priciest urban areas in Europe.

But that doesn’t mean that a trip to the Emerald Isle isn’t attainable for those travelling on a shoestring budget. So if you’re wondering how much an Ireland trip will cost and want to be able to adequately budget your trip, read on to get a breakdown of the prices in this beautiful country.

Table of Contents

Ireland Trip Cost Guide

So how expensive is Ireland? Not including the cost of flights, you’ll need to budget for the cost of food, cost of transport in Ireland and other things like accommodation, activities and entertainment.

Travellers to Ireland may find it to be more expensive than other places in Western Europe, with an average trip cost being approximately €90 to €175 per person per day (around $96-188 USD) assuming you are splitting costs between two people.

You can expect to spend at the lower end if travelling on a tight budget or at the higher end if you have an upper mid-range budget.

Accommodation Prices

The first, and often biggest, aspect of an Ireland trip cost that you need to consider is the price of accommodation. The cost of accommodation in Ireland is probably going to take the biggest chunk out of your overall daily budget.

On average, you should expect to spend around €30-40 per person per night if you are a solo traveller staying in hostels or a couple splitting a private room on Airbnb. This will increase to around €50-75 per person per night if you plan to stay in mid-range B&Bs or hotels during your Ireland trip. Assume a double room to cost you around €100-150 on average, depending on where you’re staying.

What you will find is that prices can vary drastically depending on where you are in the country. Dublin is by far the most expensive when it comes to accommodation costs, especially if you want to be centrally located.

Other urban areas like Cork and Galway also, not surprisingly, tend to cost more than in the Irish countryside. In general, accommodation costs also tend to be higher in Northern Ireland vs the Republic of Ireland.

If you’re going the typical budget backpacker route when you’re travelling in Ireland, you are in luck as the Emerald Isle has quite a well-established hostel scene. There are myriad hostel options in Irish cities and you can normally find one or two in smaller towns.

If you’re planning on staying in hostels while travelling, don’t expect to pay any less than around €35-40 per night for the cheapest dorm bed in cities and around €30 per night in more rural locations.

If you have a little more to spend than that of a typical budget backpacker, then consider staying in a B&B or guesthouse. These are ubiquitous throughout Ireland and can be a great option if you’re travelling on a mid-range budget. These can average around €100-150 per night, depending on the season and the location.

We booked a couple of good-value rooms through Booking.com including The Stop B&B in Galway and Errisbeg House in Roundstone . 

Transport Prices

Another major factor in your total trip to Ireland cost is going to be the price of transportation. While there are a few different ways to get around Ireland, outside of the big cities, Ireland is a country that is really best seen by car.

Public transport exists, but it’s pricey and it can be infrequent, especially if you want to spend some time in more rural areas and want to get a bit off the beaten path, for instance, if you’re keen to wander around Donegal, where there are absolutely no train routes.

So, if you want to travel independently or want to experience the delights of popular routes like the Ring of Kerry or the Dingle Peninsula drive , your best option for transport in Ireland will be to hire a car.

You can expect your average price for renting a car in Ireland to be around €30-40 per day, so around €15-20 per person per day if splitting costs between two.

You’ll also need to add some buffer to this to fact in the cost of fuel prices. Ireland is expensive when it comes to petrol prices, averaging about €1.80 per litre of unleaded in December of 2023. Luckily, most newer cars these days are quite fuel-efficient so you may not need to fill up all that often.

There are a few other costs you need to consider when renting a car in Ireland . First off, as with many places in the world, it can be significantly cheaper if hire a manual transmission than an automatic. So, if you can drive stick, it will definitely save you a few euros along the way.

Another way to save money when renting a car is to forgo the excess insurance that the car hire company will push and opt for an independent policy. We suggest using iCarHireInsurance whose prices can be less than major rental companies.

In cities, public transport is always an option and generally preferable to driving when you’re sightseeing. However, most urban centres in Ireland — including Dublin, Galway, and Cork — are very compact and all of the main sites are accessible on foot.

If you’re looking to save on any transport costs, I would recommend walking everywhere that you can. In Dublin, you can also rely on the bus to get around if distances are too far.

You can save money on your overall trip cost by only renting a car when visiting rural areas and not as soon as you arrive if you’re planning on spending some nights in major cities like Dublin.

Food Prices

The third thing that needs to be considered in the cost of a trip to Ireland is the cost of food.

Over the past decade or so, Ireland has seen something of a food revolution where innovative chefs have reimagined the local cuisine and the results are something spectacular.

Everywhere from fine-dining establishments to local, neighbourhood pubs serve up fantastic Irish cuisine that you could never have imagined. But how much does a typical meal cost?

Well, if you’re travelling on a super tight budget and staying in a hostel or Airbnb with self-catering facilities, one of the easiest ways to cut back on your Ireland vacation cost is to cook for yourself.

Irish grocery prices are affordable and on par with those that you might find elsewhere in Western Europe, the UK, etc. In this case, you can probably get by on around €15-20 per person per day on food.

If you’re not looking to cook for yourself, there are obviously numerous options for food in Ireland. Street and fast food are widely available throughout the country and can be the cheapest, if not always the healthiest, option for those who are trying to keep their Ireland trip cost to a minimum.

For those looking for a sit-down meal at a mid-range restaurant or pub, you can expect to pay somewhere around €15-20 for a main meal. If your tastes are a little more high-end or you feel like a splurge, expect a nicer, three-course dinner meal to cost about €30-40 per person.

If you do want to take advantage of one of Ireland’s fine dining establishments but don’t have the kind of money to blow on a ten-course tasting menu, many of the best Irish restaurants offer fixed lunch, early dinner, or weeknight menus where you can experience the phenomenal Irish food revolution at a more affordable price.

On average, I would suggest allocating around €25-40 per person per day if you want to have a mix of cooking for yourself and some mid-range meals.

Activity Prices

Now that we’ve covered the most basic aspects of your trip to Ireland , it’s time to focus on how much it costs to actually do things on the Emerald Isle. Well, depending on your preferences and general travel style, it is entirely possible to spend a day visiting museums and sightseeing in Ireland without spending anything.

Most public museums in Ireland are free of charge to enter. The only time you’re likely to have to pay entry at a museum is if it is privately owned or there is a special, limited-time exhibit. Even attractions like the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland can actually be visited completely free of charge, provided you don’t park at the visitor’s centre!

It is also completely free to experience Ireland’s spectacular natural scenery. Hiking and hill walking are two of the best things to do in Ireland and it costs nothing to do.

If you’re interested in visiting historical sites, castles, or ruins in Ireland , oftentimes these places do charge an admission fee. Generally speaking, a full-price adult ticket to one of these sites costs around €10-20 depending on the site, but there are almost always discounts available for seniors and students with a valid ID.

Entertainment Prices

What is a trip to Ireland without the occasional pint or dram of Irish whiskey? Well, it’s important to factor the cost of this into your budget.

Well, unfortunately, liquor prices in Ireland aren’t exactly cheap and if you’re planning on sticking to a tight budget on your holiday, I would recommend keeping pub drinking to a minimum.

The average price for a pint at a pub or restaurant in Ireland is around €4-6, and a basic cocktail such as a gin and tonic averages about €10-12 depending on where you are.

As usual, most liquor prices are going to be more expensive in the bigger cities and in places that are more frequented by tourists. Even in Dublin, you can see a massive difference in prices between bars and pubs in heavily touristed areas compared to those that are more frequented by locals.

A good tip if you’re trying to visit Dublin on a budget is to avoid drinking in the Temple Bar neighbourhood altogether, as prices here are incredibly inflated.

As always, however, it is infinitely less expensive to buy your booze at the supermarket or liquor store or not to drink at all.

In general, if you want to have a few beers at the pub in the evenings during your trip to Ireland but don’t plan on binge drinking or ordering anything top shelf, then plan to budget about €5-15 per person per day on entertainment while in Ireland.

Average Trip to Ireland Cost

So how much does it cost to go to Ireland in 2024? While it is possible to travel and an incredibly tight budget while in Ireland for the purposes of this section, I’ve averaged all of the costs so you can have an idea of how much you might spend per day while travelling in Ireland. This is assuming costs such as accommodation and car hire are split between two people.

Accommodation:  €30 – 75/night

Transport:  €25 – 30/day

Food:  €25 – 40/day

Activities:  €5 – 15/day

Entertainment:  €5 – 15/day

This means that you can expect an average trip to cost roughly €90 to €175 per person per day with obviously the lower end being appropriate if travelling on a tight budget and the higher end if you’re on an upper mid-range budget.

Obviously, it is possible to cut costs more and spend less per day and it is certainly possible to spend more. This doesn’t factor in any pre-trip expenses such as airfares or ensuring you have the right gear for your Ireland trip such as comfortable shoes and a waterproof jacket.

Another thing to consider when determining your overall Ireland trip budget is travel insurance. World Nomads   offers flexible and simple travel insurance policies with coverage for more than 150 activities that you can buy or extend while on the road.

If you’re travelling on a tight budget then SafetyWing is an alternative option that offers travel medical insurance policies. Click here to get a quote from SafetyWing.

Travelling in Ireland doesn’t have to be an incredibly expensive experience and it’s entirely possible to stick to a tight budget. If you’re smart about where and how you spend your money, your Ireland trip cost shouldn’t be exorbitant. 

Are you planning a trip to Ireland? Have questions about the prices? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

10 Best Stops on the Ring of Kerry Drive

9 Best Stops on the Dublin to Cork Drive

A Perfect 2-Week Wild Atlantic Way Road Trip Itinerary

About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

My wife and I are planning a 2 week trip to Ireland. The hope is to fly into Dublin for a few days. Then rent a car and just wonder around for the balance of the time. It is a small island compared to where we live in California. I am expecting a fun laid back time. Am I wrong?

You will definitely be able to cover a lot of ground in 2 weeks, but don’t expect to be able to travel distances as quickly as you can in California – especially in rural areas 🙂 For a truly laid-back trip, don’t pack too much into your itinerary and really just concentrate on a few areas. Hope you have a lovely trip!

HI I am enjoyinging reading your blog we are looking to go to london scotland and ireland in july. We are attending a wedding in ireland and I am feeling like I dont know where to start in planning the trip. Thank you

Hi Donna! Sounds like you’re starting to plan a great adventure – I understand that it can get a bit overwhelming! Our London-Scotland-Ireland itinerary is a great place to start and to get some inspiration 🙂

I’m planning a trip to Ireland next year. I would like to know more about the planning of this trip. I would like to travel to see the country side of my ancestors. Thank you for your time.

I am a widow and would love to go to Ireland. Want home base to take day trips without having to change hotels often. What would you recommend?

Hi Brenda – depending on what you want to see and do in Ireland, a base in either Dublin or Galway could be good choices 🙂

Thanks for the info. My wife and I are going back for our 2nd trip. The first having been cut short due to the COVID outbreak. I must agree that the best way to see Ireland is a self driving tour. Just be prepared for some narrow roads. A lot of the cross country roads can be 1 Lane and you need to keep an eye out for oncoming traffic and a place to get out of the way. A beautiful country to see no matter what budget you have.

Thanks for your comment, Nathon! Hope you have a great 2nd trip to Ireland 🙂

Thanks Maggie! You took the initial confusion out of where to start with organizing plans and budget. Off and running….Cheers!

Happy I could help, Sean! Hope you have a great trip 🙂

Your article, How Much Will A Trip to Ireland, was very helpful. I am delighted to have found it. It has provided my husband and I with information that is valuable.

Happy you found this helpful!

Good day Maggie, The information was very helpful, and I’m planning my trip, and the cliffs of Moher is a must see. Thank you

Happy I could help, Gwendoline!

Thank you for your article, it was very informative to my husband & I. We will soon be celebrating our 25 anniversary in July & are planning a trip there in the same month. We are looking forward to visiting Ireland & experiencing the beauty of the green isle. We are searching for more tips for our trip, any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Again, thank you so much,

Hi Maggie! Thanks for your comment and I’m glad you found this article helpful! I hope you both have a fantastic trip to Ireland…if you have any more questions at all, feel free to send me an email! I would be happy to answer them 🙂

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Planning a Trip to Ireland in 2024: 8 Essential Details

By Author Keith O'Hara

Posted on Last updated: February 16, 2024

STOP – let’s get this out of the way from the start – why should you trust my planning a trip to Ireland guide?

• Reason one : I’ve lived in Ireland for 35 years
• Reason two : I’ve spent the last 10 helping thousands of people plan a trip to Ireland
• Reason three : We recently published the world’s largest Ireland itinerary library
• Reason four : We use a tried and tested 8-step approach so you plan your visit in a logical manner

I am  very  confident that, if you follow the steps laid out in the Ireland trip planner below, you’ll remove the bulk of the stress involved in planning your visit! Cheers!

Table of Contents

The steps for planning a trip to Ireland in 2024

Click to enlarge

The graphic above will give you an overview of how to plan a trip to Ireland – these are the steps we’ll take you through below.

We’ve refined this over the years and it’s now our go-to process . Take a few minutes to look through it – it’ll save you  time, hassle and money in the long run.

Step 1: Identifying your Ireland road trip uncontrollables

The first step in planning a trip to Ireland is to build a solid foundation.

This means understanding the things that you have no control over  from the beginning . For most people, the ‘uncontrollables’ are:

• Visa requirements
• Entry points to the country (e.g. ferry terminals or airports in Ireland )
• How long they can visit for
• Their budget (see our guide to the cost of a trip to Ireland )

Getting a sense of these elements from the very beginning will set you up for success . This tends to be the boring part when planning an Ireland vacation, but it pays dividends in the long run (I promise).

Step 2: Understand the lay of the land

The second step of how to plan a trip to Ireland is to get a good lay-of-the-land . This will help you understand what is and isn’t possible when it comes to your Ireland itinerary .

Now, if you’ve been to Ireland before and you know the layout of the country, you can ignore this. However, this is a very useful step for first-timers.

We have three goals for this step:

• Goal 1 : To help you understand where the attractions in Ireland that  you want to see are located
• Goal 2 : To identify clusters of attractions (these will help you map our your route)
• Goal 3 : To rule places in or out (the clusters will help you do this)

Here’s what to do:

• Step 1 : Open a Google ‘My Map’ and create a new map
• Step 2 : Plot everywhere you want to see on the map
• Step 3 : Look for clusters of attractions (i.e. areas where you have a build up of attractions)

Step 3: Understand your options for getting around Ireland

The next step in how to plan a trip to Ireland will have a massive effect on both your experience and the cost of your trip.

Deciding how to get around Ireland can be a sticking point for many people when planning a trip to Ireland.

If you’re sticking to main towns and cities ( check your map from step 2 !) there’ll be good public transport options, and you likely won’t need a car .

If you want to step off-the-beaten-path and like flexibility, a car is your best bet. Here are the pros and cons to both:

Option 1: Getting around by car

Renting a car in Ireland is a good choice if you want to step off-the-beaten-path and like flexibility.

• The advantages: You’ll have more freedom to explore and you can travel at your own pace
• The disadvantages: It can be very  expensive and, for some, driving in Ireland can be stressful.

Option 2: Getting around by public transport

Getting around Ireland without a car is possible. Yes, using public transport in Ireland is less flexible than using a car but it has its advantages.

• The advantages: It’s relatively affordable, it’ll be less stressful for some and it’s easy to combine it with day trips
• The disadvantages: You won’t be able to get to many rural attractions, some places have poor public transport and you have to stick to predetermined schedules

Step 4: Deciding when to visit Ireland

The next stage of our how to plan a trip to Ireland process involves picking the best time of year to visit Ireland .

Deciding when you’re going to visit at this stage puts you in a good position for the itinerary planning step (e.g. in the summer you’ll have  many  more hours of daylight to explore in).

Some factors worth thinking about at this point are:

• Your budget : Off peak ( Autum and Winter ) will be cheaper than peak ( Summer and Spring )
• The weather : Daylight hours and  likely  weather conditions (see the weather in Ireland by month )
• What’s on : Some people like to plan around the different festivals in Ireland
• Your availability : In an ideal world, you’d visit whenever you like, but you may have to plan around work, school etc

Step 5: Mapping out an itinerary

The next step in planning an Ireland vacation is to map out a rough Ireland itinerary .

Now, if you don’t want the hassle of this, we have  hundreds  of ready-made itineraries in our Road Trip Hub where you can pick a route based on:

• How you’re getting around (we have public transport and car itineraries)
• Your start point (e.g. Shannon, Dublin etc.)
• The speed you like to travel (fast or slow)
• Your fitness level (good or limited)

However, you can of course map our your own itinerary. Here are some things to consider if you’re planning a trip to Ireland yourself:

1. Be realistic

The biggest causer of stress amongst people planning a trip to Ireland is that they try and fit everything into one trip .

You need to be realistic about what you can and can’t do during your visit. Yes, this’ll mean not visiting some places but it’ll ensure that you enjoy the time that you’re here for.

2. Prioritise attractions

Go back to the map you made during step 2 . It’s time to priortise. If, for example the Ring of Kerry and the Cliffs of Moher are absolute musts for you, leave them in.

If there’s somewhere you’re only half interested in, remove it. Whittling down to your ‘must-sees’ will help massively.

3. Look at your clusters

The next step is to look at the clusters on the map near your starting point. If you find a group of places that you want to see while touring Ireland, take note of the county in your spreadsheet.

This will help you build up a list of places that will form your various different bases. When you’ve run through the whole map, it’s time to bring it all together .

This stage in planning a trip to Ireland can be the most time consuming. Take your starting point and find the nearest cluster to it. That’ll be your first base.

Decide how long to stay there for and then move onto your second cluster, AKA base two. Keep following this process for planning your trip and you’ll eventually have an itinerary to follow.

Step 6: Picking your start point and booking your flight/ferry

The next step in our how to plan a trip to Ireland process is where things get real. At this point, you know where you’ll visit, when you’ll visit and you have a rough  overview of your itinerary.

It’s now time to lock in your start point and book your flights . Sometimes, your start point is decided for you based on where you’re travelling in from. If you have the flex to choose, you need to choose wisely!

Take a look at the map that you’ve used to plot down all of your ‘must-sees’ and plot the various different airports/ferry terminals that you have the option to fly into.

If all of your ‘must see’ places to visit in Ireland are in Galway, Clare, Limerick and Kerry, it makes sense to use Shannon as the starting point for your trip to Ireland. Then get those flights booked!

Step 7: Locking in the final route and booking accommodation

Photos via The Sandhouse on FB

We’re nearing the last step of planning an Ireland vacation. Now that the flights/ferry have been booked, it’s time to finalise your itinerary .

At this point, you should have a fair idea of the route you’re going to take. Now, it’s all about tightening it up and mapping it out .

Decide on a final itinerary and commit to it. Once you have your plans set, it’s time to get your accommodation booked .

If you’d like some suggestions on unique places to stay, drop into our hub on where to stay in Ireland .

It’s also at this point, if you’re renting a car in Ireland , that you should look at making a booking .

Step 8: Understanding etiquette and time/money savers

And finally we’re onto the last step of how to plan a trip to Ireland – things to know before you visit.

Below, I’ve popped in some handy Ireland travel tips that’ll hopefully save you time and money. It’s worth reading our guide on what not to do in Ireland at this point, too!

There’s plenty of different laws in Ireland that tourists need to be aware of.

Two that people tend to get caught with are the drinking age in Ireland and the fact that it’s illegal to smoke in doors.

2. Tipping in Ireland

Tipping in Ireland , for the most part, is optional – don’t be fooled into believing that you need to tip for everything.

It’s fairly standard to leave between 10 and 15% in places where you’ve had a meal.

3. Northern Ireland vs the Republic of Ireland

Some people are surprised to discover that there are differences between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland .

Yes, they’re separate countries on one island. There are 32 counties in Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland is made up 26 counties and Northern Ireland is made up of the remaining 6. The currency in Ireland is Euro and in NI it’s Pound Sterling.

4. Money savers

There’s plenty of ways to save money but you need to be aware of them while planning a trip to Ireland and not after. Some handy options are:

• The VAT refund : If you’re travelling to Ireland from outside the EU, you’re entitled to a refund on some purchases
• The Heritage Card : This is a handy way to save on admission to state-managed Heritage Sites like Kilmainham Gaol
• The Dublin Pass : This can give you solid savings when visiting the main attractions in Dublin

Wrapping up our planning an Ireland vacation guide

Photos via Dan and Molly’s on FB

The steps above will make planning an Ireland vacation very straightforward once you take the time to work through each of them in order.

One of the biggest mistakes we see people make is that they rush straight to what they want to see and then become overwhelmed when they realise that the attractions are dotted all around the island.

At The Irish Road Trip, we approach the topic of how to plan a trip to Ireland afresh every year and  constantly  refine our process.

The steps above to planning a trip to Ireland is the most up-to-date process that we use and it has helped us map our hundreds of trips.

Ireland trip planning FAQs

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘How do you go about planning a trip to Ireland for a large group?’ to ‘What Ireland trip planning tips are the most useful?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

How far in advance should I plan a trip to Ireland?

Start planning a trip to Ireland as early as you can. You don’t need to book anything, but it’s worth working out the route you’ll take as far in advance as possible as it’ll make everything else more straightforward.

How many days should you spend in Ireland?

The longer the better. If possible, try to allow at least a week in Ireland. Although this will only scratch the surface, it’ll give you a good period of time to explore a section of the island.

How do you go about planning an Ireland vacation?

In this guide, we take you through 8 steps that follow a logical manner. If you work through them, you’ll remove the stress that many encounter when planning a trip to Ireland.

Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries . Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.

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Saturday 16th of July 2022

Thank you so much Keith for all the time and effort you put into this site! It's amazing!!

I hope you are still answering questions here. The latest post I saw was 2019 but I really need some help!. My husband and I Had an opportunity handed to us free of charge to go to Ireland over Christmas (23rd - 30th). Are airfare and lodging aren't costing us anything which is great and I am very appreciative but the cottage is in Tulla which I gather is remote. We will be staying there all 7 nights so we would need day trips returning each night to Tulla. We are also there over Christmas. I am having a hard time finding anything open on the 24th and 25th. I was hoping to book some bus tours but I can't find one open the entire time we are going to be there. It's probably just that I don't know where to look. I would really appreciate it if you could steer me in the right direction. Thanks!!!

Keith O'Hara

Hey Trish - You won't find any (to my knowledge) fee-paying attractions open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or, possible, Stephen's Day (26th). To be honest, I'd be surprised if any organised tours are operating during that times, as Ireland to an extent shuts down during the Christmas to New Years period. Are you renting a car?

Wednesday 29th of June 2022

Can you park your car at Glenmacnass‌ ‌Waterfall‌ ‌In‌ ‌Wicklow‌ Parking overnight? We are planning to go wild camping around there.

Thursday 30th of June 2022

Hi Alex - We camped at Lough Ouler a few years back and debated parking there or on the other side at Turlough Hill. We ended up bottling it as we'd heard reports about break-ins along the Sally Gap. Parking in the village nearby and got a taxi up. Not ideal, but was good for peace of mind!

Tuesday 22nd of March 2022

Thanks so much for getting us started with these basic facts. Looking forward to spending our 40th anniversary in your country.

Friday 11th of February 2022

Hi We are planning a trip based on your 11-Day Wild Atlantic Way Itinerary starting last week of May. Do you recommend on making hotel reservations in advance ?

Hey - yes, definitely book in advance! Otherwise you could end up either paying very high prices for a place to stay and/or having to stay outside the town/village/city that you want to stay in. Have a lovely trip and safe driving!

Monday 7th of February 2022

Brilliant suggestions. Thanks. Just starting to plan a trip…. I was born in cork and am looking forward to going back. I live in Wales. So it should be straightforward 👍👍 Having said that. After reading your suggestions…I am going to do a bit at a time … just so I don’t miss anything Thanks again

Thanks Kay. Have a lovely trip!

Italy Family Vacations

Spain family vacations, japan family vacations, australia family vacations, favorite places to visit in ireland with kids.

• By Kate Moran

Safe, stunning and packed with family-friendly adventures, Ireland is a perennial family favorite. We asked local expert Kate Moran to share her best tips for traveling to Ireland with kids, and the best spots around the Emerald Isle for families. Be sure to read her advice to help you plan future Ireland family vacations!

Best Things to Do in Ireland with Kids

Itinerary and planning.

Because Ireland is a relatively small country, visitors tend to try and see “everything” in the course of one week. Lots of friends and family fly into Dublin , drive through Wicklow, kiss the Blarney Stone in Cork, head to Cork City, eat lunch in Kinsale, drive the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula, ascend the Cliffs of Moher, cruise through the amazing Burren, throw back a Guinness and listen to live music at a trad session in Galway , marvel at awe-inspiring Connemara and pose in front of Kylemore Abbey before heading back to Dublin to fly home. They are literally in tatters upon their return.

In our opinion, this is a bit mad — and may even spoil the transcendent impact of an Irish holiday. While Ireland shares aspects of both America and continental Europe, it is distinct in so many ways. Pick a couple of must-sees and then try and slow down a bit – park the car and walk the landscape, repose in front of the fire, order the kids a pack of crisps from the barkeep, savor a Guinness and soak in the relaxed atmosphere.

Need help planning a trip to Ireland with kids?

Our Family Travel Advisors can book vetted accommodations, recommend the best family activities, arrange private tours and guides, and more. Click to get started! >

Transportation

Although public transportation is available in Ireland, driving is the best way to see the country with kids in tow. Parents and children alike will be delighted by the winding country roads, stone walls and animals out to pasture. However, please note when renting a car that most are manual. If you need an automatic car, make sure to specify this when making your reservation — you’ll pay extra for the pleasure, but this is not the time to teach yourself how to drive a stick shift. Remember, the Irish drive on the left side of the road, so sticking to the correct side should be where your focus lies.

Accommodations

Of course, Hollywood has made traditional Irish bed-and-breakfasts quite famous. As with any other accommodation, there is a wide range of variety and quality. However, there are also lovely country houses, traditional independent and chain hotels and holiday homes that are available for rental. Many visitors to Ireland love traveling the countryside, stopping in a village whenever they fancy it and finding a place to bunk without reservations. This is a fun thing to do if you’re visiting as a couple to Ireland; family dynamics suggest you might want to plan a bit more in advance. You may need a crib for a baby or don’t intend to share your bed with your toddler. And teenagers might want a room of their own.

If this is the case, it’s worth booking into a hotel and requesting a crib and an extra bed. Due to the huge property-driven boom over the past decade-plus in Ireland, you’ll find amazing 4- and 5-star hotels (think renovated country estates, farmhouses and castles) throughout Ireland, some in very unlikely, off-the-beaten-path locations. 

Eating Out with Kids

The Irish food scene has really exploded in recent years and can offer visitors a good range of choices. A plethora of organic ingredients and a resurgence of traditional dishes will delight those unfamiliar with Irish cooking. In the countryside, pubs remain the center of village life and are very family-friendly during the day (most pubs prohibit kids after 8 p.m. but welcome them before that). In the major cities of Cork, Galway and Dublin, you’ll have many more options. 

If you plan on bringing a stroller, smaller is better. The doors to most shops and restaurants tend to be narrower than in America — forget about surviving with those double-wide strollers. Most mums of two or more little ones in Dublin seem to have the buggies that stack one kid on top of another, like the Phil and Ted’s brand. Oh, and always  have your rain cover in the bottom of the stroller, even if it looks bright and sunny. Trust me.

A word about the famous rainy weather: Yes, it does really rain a lot. It needn’t slow you down too much, but if you plan spending the day outside, always bring a light windbreaker with a hood. The kind that can be scrunched down into the bottom of your bag or stroller are perfect.

Great Family-Friendly Places to Visit

Dublin and environs.

The country’s capital and cultural heart has lots for families to enjoy. Wander through Trinity College ’s cobblestone paths; up the main shopping street, Grafton Street ; and to St. Stephen’s Green, where the kids can spend some time at the playground. Entry into most museums is free, so they are great to pop into to get out of the rain. In fact, the National Gallery of Ireland has a fantastic gift shop to buy gifts for home as well as a reliable cafe.

The Guinness Storehouse is a requisite stop for many adults — and we can report that it works for a family trip, too. The displays (like the massive waterfall in the front hall) will engage most children for a while and the Gravity Bar is bright and lively. There are baby-changing facilities and, well, there is something strangely gratifying about taking your baby’s picture next to a pint of Guinness. Finally, for older children, visit Kilmainham Gaol  for a tour of the famous jail where the leaders of the 1916 uprising were imprisoned and executed.

Wicklow Mountains and Powerscourt House & Gardens

This is one of our all-time favourite day trips from Dublin. Drive south of the city to the Wicklow Mountains to find Powerscourt Estate . On a sunny day, the drive is spectacular. The tour/video show of Powerscourt isn’t all that interesting (the original building burned down and the existing interior is a recreation), but the planned gardens and Japanese garden are lovely to walk through, and the kids can run wild.

The cafe and shop are feasts for the eyes and stomach — the former, run by the venerable Avoca Cafe , serves delicious Irish food with a twist. The shop is an eclectic mix of Irish goods, kitchen treats and funky clothing and books for adults and kids. If you can, take turns browsing; it’s usually a bit hectic to bring the kids into, as there are a lot of breakables and it’s hard to navigate a stroller through. But you’re sure to find souvenirs for the family members and friends stuck back at home!

TIP: There are several Avoca cafes throughout the country; the food is fantastic and they are always great for kids. The cafes are casual and usually noisy and crowded, but there are always high chairs, places to park a buggy and helpful staff to help carry your trays if you have a baby on your hip!

Browse the complete CB! collection of kid-friendly Ireland hotels

See our hand-curated list of tried and tested accommodations for families, and request one-on-one booking support >

Howth Village and Cliff Walk

The magnificent hills of Howth, just outside Dublin, are well worth a trip to check out. However, the cliff walk literally hugs the cliff’s edge and is only appropriate for adults with babies in a pouch or backpack — the paths are narrow and the drops very steep. There are other, less perilous, paths to the top, so some of your gang can take the more navigable route and meet at the top. The views are stunning and you can’t beat the fresh air! And the rumors are true: A great pint awaits at the end of your hike at The Summit Inn. (During the Cliff Walk, you are really exposed to the elements, so if it’s particularly windy and rainy, skip it. The views won’t be all that great and cliffs and windy days don’t mix. However, a little drizzle — “a soft day” — need not be a deterrent.)

Howth has some great eating establishments, so working up an appetite is a brilliant move. Our suggestions? The House is our new favourite home away from home. Imagine warm, crumbly scones, great coffee and a bacon sandwich served with greens dressed in vinaigrette, and a perfect selection of seafood for dinner. They welcome families with open arms, happy to stash buggies at the door, pull a high chair out for your little one and provide coloring supplies. The adventurous children’s menu offers smaller portions from the regular menu. A close runner-up is a picnic made with fish & chips from Beshoffs of Howth .

Ireland has some seriously impressive playgrounds — really! Indulge the kids with a visit to Ardgillan Castle . The adults will marvel at the gorgeous grounds and view of the sea while the nautical-themed playground provides a bounty of entertainment guaranteed to tucker the kiddies out. If you are hankering for a snack before arrival, nip into Olive on the main drag in Skerries for take-out sandwiches, lattes, and sweets. Planning on a meal after? Visit the excellent Stoop Your Head in Skerries Harbour for its first lunch seating at noon, and dig into some of the freshest, most delectable seafood around. Despite it being a popular (and small) place, they are happy to have children and offer a kids’ menu and highchairs.

Beyond Dublin

The cliffs of moher.

These majestic cliffs rise out of the sea and are truly awe-inspiring for both parents and kids. The visitors’ centre provides some background to this natural wonder. If you are approaching the cliffs from the north, make the drive doubly stunning by choosing a route through the Burren.

Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry is a tourist favourite, so some try to avoid it — but it’s a favourite for good reason. Dotted with beautiful Irish villages, dramatic overlooks and stunning beaches tucked below the cliffs, it’s beautiful! Again, opt for driving yourself and be sure to spend lots of time out of the car; make stops wherever inspires you. Killarney makes a great home base, and you’ll want to devote at least a day to exploring the national park there.

Magnificent natural landscapes make West Cork a delight to visit. Schull, in particular, is one of the loveliest villages. While there, visit the Mizen Head Signal Station for a thrilling walk and view, and stop at gorgeous Barley Cove Beach for a stroll.

Galway City

Galway’s streets are lively and full of university students, though it feels like a very small city compared to Dublin. Stroll the streets, listen to the music and be sure to get some great seafood. If you’ve got more time here, spend a day visiting the Aran Islands. Treat everyone to one of their iconic sweaters and you’ll stay warm and cozy throughout your trip.

Driving through Connemara offers breathtaking scenery (I know we keep saying this, but it’s true!). Nestled behind the mountains is Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Gardens . The children will be delighted to see this amazing castle on the shores of Lough Pollacappul. There are lots of wooded paths to explore, and the walled gardens will inspire the gardener in you.

It’s clear: Ireland with kids is a family travel bucket list winner for a reason. So much to do, so much to see, so much beauty. Family-friendly Ireland vacations are a crowd pleaser and one of our favorite travel experiences.

Relevant Links

Browse all family-friendly accommodations and activities in Ireland on Ciao Bambino

8 of our favorite Ireland family hotels

From coast to coast in Ireland with kids

Dublin: 5 favorite kid-friendly activities

10 things to do in Ireland off the beaten path

A perfect 10-day itinerary in Ireland with kids

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We had an amazing trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland while I was pregnant and I can’t wait to take our toddler back! We stayed in some of the best B&Bs while I was there and I’ve put up some pictures and reviews on our website – https://goo.gl/wOuhdx

Love the review. Quick correction: The Blarney Stone is in Cork, not Waterford

Thanks for catching the blooper, JT! We’ve fixed that.

Amie- Thank you so much for the mention. IrelandWithKids.com is designed to help families plan a magical trip to Ireland. We visit annually (if not more often) and I do my best to lay out the good and bad of attractions, as well as tips for visiting. We are actually heading back to Ireland in May and exploring some new places!

Sadly no … but Michelle Duffy from Wandermom.com is a family travel blogger from Ireland and also has some wonderful Ireland related insight on her blog. Also, Jody Halstead publishes IrelandwithKids.com – another fabulous resource!

Do you have any idea what happened to mummymaps.com? It sounds like it was a great resource, but I am coming up empty when doing searches.

Great suggestions! We are heading to Ireland in May with our 3.5 and 1.5 year old boys and are planning to do some of the Western Ireland suggestions. We will be there for 9 days and will spend all of our time in the west. Can’t imagine trying to see the whole country in a week – especially with kids in tow!

Great overview. I would recommend the Dingle Peninsula with kids. It’s even prettier than the Ring of Kerry with ancient ruins to explore, stunning beaches to stroll, and the best ice cream in Ireland at Murphy’s in Dingle Town. Oh, and if you do plan to kiss the Blarney Stone, it’s not in Waterford. It’s in Blarney, north of Cork.

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Epic Ireland Family Vacation: 7-day Itinerary for Ireland with Kids

Posted by Anna | Aug 18, 2023 | Ireland | 1

The biggest highlight of this summer was our Ireland family vacation. If you are into fun, fast-paced trips, and love making the most of your time at a new destination – this 7-day itinerary for Ireland is for you.

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Table of Contents

One Week in Ireland with Kids

Our ireland family vacation.

To begin with, Ireland has always been one of the places in Europe that I wanted to visit the most.

Therefore, this summer our whole family was excited about making this trip happen. My kids haven’t taken a plane since the pandemic (although we have done two Mediterranean Cruises together and traveled extensively across Spain in search of new child-friendly destinations ). My husband wanted to celebrate his Bday with a memorable getaway. As for me, I have always been mesmerized by the Celtic myths, mysterious Irish castles, and ancient ruins.

So, even planning an Ireland family vacation felt special, since there were so many things we wanted to experience on this trip. I have tried to include a bit of everything into this 7-day Itinerary for Ireland: museums, nature, castles, places for the kids, a few guided tours, and even a mini road trip.

Nevertheless, those of you who have more than one week for this Ireland trip – can still easily use my itinerary, just without any rush.

Why visit Ireland?

Is Ireland for you? – Based on my Ireland family vacation, I have put together everything I genuinely loved about this country, so that you could check for yourself whether Ireland matches your personal expectations and travel cravings.

So, what makes Ireland unique?

Stunning landscapes

First of all, Ireland is an extremely beautiful country.

Its unique landscapes were featured in numerous iconic movies. You can watch them to fuel your wanderlust: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and The Princess Bride ( filmed – The Cliffs of Moher), Braveheart ( filmed – Trim Castle), Star Wars (filmed – Skellig Islands), Saving Private Ryan (filmed at Curracloe Beach), P.S I love you ( filmed – County Wicklow’s Blessington, Sally Gap, and Dublin). As to the Tv Shows – Normal People ( filmed – Sligo and Dublin), The Vikings (filmed – County Wicklow), and of course, there are lots of Game of Thrones filming locations in Northern Ireland.

Celtic cultural heritage

Ireland is known for its unmatched Celtic heritage since Romans have never conquered it (unlike the rest of Europe). Most of the things we know today about the lifestyle of the Celtic people are actually based on what Romans wrote about them (let´s take for instance, Julius Cesar´s memoirs of the Gallic Wars). Most European countries today, for instance, Spain – are full of Roman Ruins and legendary battle stories (like the one of Numancia in Soria ), but the Celtic People of Europe were absorbed by The Roman Empire at some point (some destroyed, others conquered).

But in Ireland, those original Celtic traditions have always been a part of national folklore and were passed through myths and legends to the next generations. A few Celtic landmarks we visited on this Ireland family vacation were absolutely unique – the Boyne Valley and The Rock of Cashel.

Irish roots

There are more people with Irish ancestry outside Ireland than in it.

Chances are high that you (or someone you know or admire) might have Irish roots. Ireland has lately got trendy thanks to genetic tests. Throughout the complicated and dramatic history of the Emerald Isle, many locals were forced to immigrate across the globe. As a result, today some of the biggest politics and pop icons have Irish roots.

Traveling to Ireland to discover the land of your ancestors has a unique personal touch. Plus, there’s a new interesting Dublin museum on this topic – The Museum of Immigration.

When to visit Ireland

Typically, late spring and early autumn are always the best for getaways in Europe.

However, my Ireland family vacation took place at the beginning of July. By and large, it was an enjoyable experience.

It might be just me ( living on the Mediterranean coast of Spain with everywhere getting extremely touristy during the summer months), but I didn´t suffer from the summer peak season during this Ireland family vacation. Obviously, Dublin was not empty. It has always been a popular city break destination for Europeans. But it was still fine (can’t even compare it to Madrid or Barcelona in the summer months).

So, to my surprise I felt like summer was a good moment to visit Ireland.

How much time do you need in Ireland

To see most of the landmarks in Ireland you’d need 2-3 weeks.

Yet, a 7-day itinerary for Ireland is a great chance to get your first impression of the country. Even though Ireland is a relatively small country and you can cover a lot of ground just in 7 days: if having one single week for this trip – you´d have to set your travel priorities and skip lots of national landmarks.

Nevertheless, it is all entirely possible. We were visiting Ireland with kids (4 and 5 y.o) and had a blast on the road. In fact, for family travels I lately prefer shorter trips (I feel like this way all of us get less tired).

What you need to know about Ireland

On the island of Ireland, you find two countries – the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The first one is a part of the EU, and the second one – the UK. Consequently, in the Republic of Ireland, you’ll pay with euros, and in Northern Ireland – with pounds. While for now there´s no actual border control between the two, visa requirements might differ for both (depending on your country of origin).

Also, note that if you rent a car in Northern Ireland and then leave it in the Republic of Ireland (or vice versa) – you’ll be charged extra costs.

As you will see on this post: during this 7-day Itinerary for Ireland we briefly visited both countries – the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and I haven’t regretted it.

How to get to Ireland

This whole idea of an Ireland family vacation was born by accident, while we were comparing our Europe Bucket List to the current flight deals . We discovered budget flight tickets to Belfast in Northern Ireland and decided it was time to make our dream trip happen.

While our flight was to Belfast, upon arrival we immediately took a bus to Dublin and left Northern Ireland for the end of our 7-day itinerary

The best way to reach Ireland is to find flights either to Belfast or to Dublin. From the States, there are seasonal flights to Londonderry (or Derry), but locals don’t recommend it. One of the taxi drivers told us the story of how he once drove to Derry an American couple all the way from Dublin (there was an error with the car booking, and they were forced to take a taxi for 600 euros just not to miss a flight back home).

Unique hotels in Ireland

During the research for our Ireland family vacation, I have discovered lots of cool places to stay and have marked them for the future trips to the Emerald Isle. Unfortunately, for this road trip, none of these srentals was a match for us (some were far away, others were fully booked). But I am sure it´s not my last time in Ireland anyway, so saved it all: Lough Mardal Lodge , Cosy stone built Thatch Cottage , Rural Tipperary bordering Kilkenny , Beautifully Restored Cottage , Roundwood House , Country lodge rental with wood burning stove . A few cute glamping places: Castledarcy Glamping , Ceide Glamping and Gateway Glamping .

Bucket-list tours&experiences in Ireland:

During this Ireland family vacation, we enjoyed the Northern Ireland Tour and The Celtic Boyne Valley Tour . Both were a great match in our case: we were able to see lots of new places without walking non-stop or staying inside the bus for too long.

Nevertheless, there are still a few more unique experiences left on my Ireland Bucket List:

• Newgrange Tour
• Fastnet Rock Lighthouse and Cape Clear Island Tour
• Irish Music and Dance Show with Dance Lesson
• The Ultimate Skellig Coast Cruise Tour
• Dublin Mythology and Folklore Walking Tour
• Dublin Local Food Tour
• From Galway: Aran Islands & Cliffs of Moher Day Cruise
• Game of Thrones Studio Tour
• Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough & Kilkenny Tour

If I get a chance to visit the Emerald Isle without kids (or perhaps, when they grow up a bit) – I would not miss the Game of Thrones Studio Tour , Irish Music and Dance Show with Dance Lesson , and Dublin Mythology and Folklore Walking Tour (even though my girls adore myths&legends, I felt like walking non-stop across Dublin might feel a bit exhausting for them).

Also, I would not miss the Skellig Coast and the Aran Islands Cruise , if we were to spend more than one week in Ireland.

Driving in Ireland

Driving in Ireland for the first time? – You might find helpful this Tripiamo Driving in Ireland Guide .

Ireland for kids: Is Ireland good for a family vacation?

My biggest conclusion after this Ireland family vacation is the fact that this country is way more child-friendly than I have ever expected. Usually, as parents, we go for obvious child-friendly holidays – like a Mediterranean cruise or a family beach getaway to Spain . The Emerald Isle is known for its scenic cliffs, endless greenery, and mysterious castles. But since it is a rainy destination, I was honestly hesitating. To me, it was not clear whether my kids would enjoy it.

But they absolutely did. Here is why.

Friendly locals

I have come across a few travel opinions stating that the most friendly Europeans were in Iceland . Well, in my experience, they were in Ireland.

Especially when it came to the kids – my girls were given lollipops at train stations and hotel reception desks. My youngest daughter came up to me after a few days in Ireland with words: “ Mom, for some reason everyone loves us over here ..” lol

Let´s agree – it´s wonderful when locals make children feel this way.

Budget-friendly with kids

Overall, Ireland is not the most budget-friendly destination: the hotels are overpriced and have average quality. But when it comes to traveling with kids, Ireland actually wins over many other family travel destinations in Europe.

Large families are common across the country, so you can go with kids almost anywhere. The little ones under 6 years old always get in for free, whether it´s at landmarks or on public transport. The hotel breakfasts for the kids were free as well. In Jurry Inn Cork we were even given little handcraft gifts for the little ones.

Culture&legends in Ireland

Irish local myths and legends are infused with magical creatures. No wonder this Ireland family vacation was so culturally enriching and exciting for my little ones.

Even if you’re not a history geek yourself, I highly recommend you fuel your kids´ wanderlust before the trip with some Irish books and animated movies. I plan to make a separate post on Inspiring reads about Ireland , but in the meantime, you can check what we saw and read via my IG Highlight Ireland .

7-day Itinerary for Ireland with Kids

Day 1 – dublin.

I bet that almost every 7-day Itinerary for Ireland starts in Dublin since it´s the largest city in Ireland with the biggest international airport. (However, I honestly enjoyed flying to Belfast, since the airport was way smaller and we went through the controls fast).

Dublin is one of the most unique cities in Europe, famous for its pubs and commemorated in World Literature by James Joyce (although for many the U2 band might be the most famous thing from Ireland).

Dublin is an easy city to explore on foot since the 6 sq km around River Liffey contains most of the city´s museums and landmarks. We were staying at Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane . So, the first day of our Ireland family vacation started with a relaxing walk along River Liffey towards the city center of Dublin. However, a popular alternative to walking is River Liffey Sightseeing Cruise .

Note, that if you plan to stay in Dublin for a few days and want to see it all, you could get Go City All-Inclusive Pass with 40+ Attractions .

The first place we visited in Dublin was The Arc – a cultural center for children aged from 4 to 14. During our Ireland family vacation, there was a free temporary exposition dedicated to the animated movie Wolfwalkers . It was such a cool step into a world of hand-drawn animation. I loved getting a glimpse of the vast work involved in creating  Wolfwalkers : my girls were given paper and pencils to try to draw the main characters.

Hairy Lemon

Since this 7-day Itinerary for Ireland was initially planned as a child-friendly one, we knew that the Irish pub culture would need to wait for the next trips (kids are not allowed after 9 p.m. inside the pubs).

But we still wanted to have at least a nice lunch in a trendy local pub, so we picked Hairy Lemon . Both the food and service were great. I really enjoyed their Irish stew, and the kids tried Fish&Chips for the first time in their lives.

St.Patrick´s Cathedral

St.Patrick´s Cathedral is one of the most emblematic landmarks of Dublin, known for its association with writer and satirist Jonathan Swif t, who was a dean there.

The works on St.Patrick´s Cathedral began in 1190, but it is said that St. Patrick himself preached on this spot centuries earlier. Inside the cathedral there were lots of activities for the kids, so all of our family enjoyed the visit. Except for my husband, perhaps, whose attention was brought to the giant souvenir shop – so, he said that the place reminded him more of a giant fair, than of a religious cult.

We got in without a prior booking, but depending on the season, it might be helpful to get your entrance in advance .

The Library of Trinity College Dublin

The Library of Trinity College Dubl in is one of the most visited places in Dublin (you need to book a tour in advance ).

It contains one of the biggest Irish treasures – The Book of Kells , made by monks around 800. Kids were really excited to see it, especially after we watched together The Secret of Kells (2009).

However, I have to admit that as a bookworm and Harry Potter fan, I was even more excited to see the College Library with its magnificent barrel-roofed Long Hall.

So, you can imagine how disappointed I was to discover the library was empty due to their Old Library Redevelopment Project. I wish I had known this before buying tickets (especially since the entrance fee was 18.50 per adult).

For dinner, we headed to another popular food&drinks spot in Dublin – The Bank on College Green . Here, the name speaks for itself. Back in 1892, the building was acquired by Belfast Bank. Nowadays, the central banking hall with its Franco-Scottish interiors is a trendy bar and restaurant. While the menu was very brief, I really enjoyed their Irish Seafood Chowder (a traditional creamy seafood soup).

Unique Dublin Tours

If you want to make the most of your day in Dublin, booking a tour with the local guide might be an amazing idea. Check Dublin Walking Street Food Tour , Highlights and Hidden Gems Walking Tour , Dublin Afternoon Tea Vintage Bus Trip , Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour , River Liffey Sightseeing Cruise , Jameson Whiskey Distillery Tour with Tastings . If I were traveling to Ireland without kids, I would love to experience Generation Pub Crawl and Music and Dance Show at The Irish House Party .

Experiences that I regret missing out and will definitely try on my next Ireland family vacation – Traditional Irish Dance Class , Mythology and Folklore Walking Tour , Ghostbus Kids Tour , and Irish Literature Walking Tour .

Popular foodie experiences in Dublin include Irish Craic & Cuisine: Cooking Class & Dinner with local host in Dublin home , Irish Whiskey Tasting with Local Whiskey Specialist in Irish Pub, Afternoon Tea the Irish Way, and Bread, Beer & Bia: Irish Cooking Class & Dinner.

Of course, beer lovers can not miss Guinness Storehouse .

Top Dublin Day Trips

Those of you who plan to spend in Dublin more than one day might enjoy a few unique day trips – Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough & Kilkenny , Coastal Tour to Howth Village , Blarney Castle Full-Day Tour from Dublin or Cliffs of Moher, Burren & Galway City Day Tour .

Day 2 – Ireland Road Trip

While one can easily spend a few days in the city of Dublin, we had a busy schedule for these 7 days in Ireland. So, on the second day of our Ireland family vacation, after breakfast at cute cafe Nutbutter Grand Canal Docks (where I got to embrace my inner porridge lover), we rented a car to set on a 3-day road trip across the island.

We were initially hesitating about renting a car in Ireland since the only time we have ever had to drive on the left-hand side of the road was in Cyprus years ago. However, it turned out to be easier than I expected (especially since we did not get to cross big cities with lots of traffic).

Nevertheless, the biggest challenge of driving in Ireland for me turned out to be its narrow countryside roads. Somehow we even scratched a car and got to use travel insurance for the first time in our lives. On this Ireland family vacation, we did not feel the need for a 4×4 at any time: I honestly felt like the smaller the car, the easier moving around was.

Athlone Castle

Our first stop on the road was Athlone Castle, which we initially picked only because it was on the road to the Cliffs of Moher . But all of our family enjoyed this landmark so much.

By the way, here, we had our first encounters with friendly Irish people. While desperately searching for the parking spots (there was some kind of event in Athlone when we visited), we almost gave up, but then one of the locals waved us out of nowhere to indicate the spot (since he had just parked nearby himself). Then he approached my husband explaining that there was some kind of event going on and it was usually not that busy ( since my husband was having a hard time with the Irish accent that´s all he could explain to us lol).

Surprisingly, the 13th-century Athlone Castle has turned into one of the highlights of this Ireland family vacation for the kids since they had lots of interactive panels, folk artifacts, and even medieval costumes to dress up.

Cliffs of Moher

One of my personal highlights of this 7-day itinerary in Ireland was visiting the Cliffs of Moher . As much as I love talking about the stunning cliffs in Spain , those in Ireland were the one and only for me.

These dramatic 214m-high cliffs, confronting the might of the Atlantic Ocean, are the horizontal layers of flagstones that extend for 8 km from Hag´s Head to beyond O’Brien´s Tower.

The Cliffs of Moher are open all year round, but winds are usually high during the winter months. We arrived around 4 p.m. and it was honestly not too crowded. While The Cliffs of Moher is a natural wonder available for anyone, the only place you can park nearby costs 12 euros per person (not per car). But I honestly felt it was worth it.

In case, you don’t want to drive in Ireland, there are lots of organized tours to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin.

After a few hours at the cliffs we headed to our next road trip stop – Longcourt House Hotel in the small town of Newcastle West . This was probably the nicest hotel of our Ireland family vacation. Although I did not like that they accepted card payments only (like most of the hotels across Ireland, by the way) – a client should always have several payment options.

Especially since a few remote restaurants we visited on the road across Ireland, had problems with payment terminals. So, you can never fully rely on the card. Generally, I would suggest you always have a card for hotels and landmarks and some extra cash with you ( euro for the Republic of Ireland / pounds for Northern Ireland).

Day 3 – Ireland Road Trip

Ross castle.

Our morning started with a traditional Irish Breakfast at the restaurant of Longcourt House Hotel . Afterward, we drove all the way to the Killarney National Park . I definitely plan to return one day to drive the famous Ring of Kerry. But even getting a quick sneak peek of several local landmarks was worth making a stop.

A few popular experiences to book here are Private horse carriage tour of Killarney National Park and Ring of Kerry Full-Day Tour from Killarney .

First thing in the morning we headed to Ross Castle, a grand example of a medieval Irish stronghold. It was probably built in the 15th century by one of the O´Donogue Ross tribal chieftains. Boats from here will take you to Innisfallen Isle in the middle of Lough Leane (you should book ahead in the high season).

Since we have only planned to make a quick stop at Ross Castle, we got there before its opening around 9 a.m. The views were so serene – suddenly, were approached by a group of local deers. This was one of the most magical moments of our 7-day itinerary in Ireland.

Torc Waterfall

Only 9km away from Ross Castle, we enjoyed another must-stop of K illarney National Park – Torc Waterfall.

Here, I was initially a bit concerned about the parking (since I read on Google it was hard to find a spot). But I guess, since it was still relatively early (around 10 a.m) we found a place to leave our car easily and then walked a few minutes through the magical forests towards the Torc Waterfall.

I have honestly enjoyed this natural setting – there were a few hiking trails around the waterfall area (would be great to test those if having more time at Killarney National Park ).

Muckross House

The last stop before lunch was Muckross House – a splendid estate and the 19th-century Victorian Museum.

Since it was different from all the other places we planned for this Ireland family vacation, I was excited to get inside for the interiors. The tour cost 9 euros per person and even the kids really loved all the furniture and decor. There was a small child-friendly table with pencils and activity sheets (which included quizzes about the history of the Muckross House).

The Muckross House is currently owned by the state But it used to belong to the Herbert family, then was purchased by Lord Ardilaun . In 1910 it was purchased again by a wealthy American William Bowers Bourn as a wedding present for his only daughter Maud . After her death in 1932, the family sold the property to the state (since sustaining it had become too big an undertaking for any private individual).

It´s curious that back in 1861 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert stayed in The Muckross House during their trip to Ireland.

After visiting the Muckross House we drove to the restaurant The Kerry Way for lunch and then headed to our last stop of the day – Blarney Castle & Gardens.

Blarney Castle & Gardens

If I were to pick only one place to visit during this Ireland Family Vacation – I´d go with Blarney Castle & Gardens . You can easily spend here the whole day. In our case, we only had an afternoon to enjoy this place. If you plan to visit Blarney Castle & Gardens in the morning – you should book in advance, since it is one of the most popular places on the Emerald Isle.

Before planning this Ireland family vacation, I had honestly never heard of Blarney and had no idea that it was one of the most iconic places in the country. According to tradition, one can get a gift of blarney by kissing the Blarney Stone. Here, you’ll need to watch your kids, as they’ll be clambering to the top of the castle. Usually, the lines to kiss the stone are huge. But since we got inside only 1h30 min before the closing time, our family almost had the place to ourselves.

We did not kiss the stone, even though I usually enjoy following local legends and superstitions. Many believe that kissing Blarney gives you the ability to talk your way out of any difficult situation and give anyone the runaround. The phrase was coined by Queen Elizabeth I as she told the castle´s owner that he was speaking nothing but blarney , while he tried to avoid doing what she demanded.

Can’t stress enough how much I loved the surrounding 1000 acres of woodland and gardens. My kids could not stop playing fairies. Although, here, at Blarney Castle & Gardens I have followed another local legend of the Wishing Steps . According to it, one is supposed to walk down back up with eyes closed and ask for a wish that would be granted in a year by the Blarney Witch .

After this magical afternoon at Blarney Castle & Gardens , we headed to our hotel Jury Inn in Cork . After the check-in, we went for dinner and walked around the city center of Cork. Popular activities in Cork include Guided Historical Walking Tour, Harbour Scenic Cruise , and Midleton Distillery Tour with Whiskey Tasting.

We honestly didn’t click with the city of Cork. It was Thursday around 8 p.m. and the main street was full of drunk people (to the extent that some could barely walk). I don’t know whether it was our luck, or that was what a regular evening in Cork looked like. One of our Irish guides had once made a joke that there was a nasty rumor about the Irish drinking a lot – so not true, since the Irish always spill most of it …

Anyway, if I will get a chance to visit Cork again, I plan to use it to make a Full-Day Guided Tour to Dingle Peninsula .

Day 4 – Ireland Road Trip

On the last day of our Ireland Road trip, we were supposed to return to Dublin and leave a car at the airport. But we still had a whole day for sightseeing.

Cahir Castle

First thing in the morning we headed to Cahir Castle, one of Ireland´s largest and best-preserved castles.

It was founded by Conor O´Brien in 1142 and passed on to the Butler family in 1375. The Cahir Castle has survived nearly intact through centuries, largely because it surrender to Cromwell in 1650 without a fight. Kids really enjoyed the Cahir Castle Siege 1599 in miniature, where certain areas were lightened up after pressing the button.

Rock of Cashel

If I were to pick my second favorite place for this Ireland family vacation, that would be the Rock of Cashel.

This landmark possesses the most impressive cluster of all the medieval buildings in Ireland. According to the legend St.Patrick himself came here to convert a local king to Christianity.

Since the 9th century, Cashel even rivaled Tara as Ireland´s center of power. It all lasted till the 10th century when the local clan lost to O´Brians , and in 1101 the King gave this place to the Church. It was a great ecclesiastical center until Cromwell ´s army killed here 3000 Catholic devotees back in 1647.

Our last stop on the road to Dublin was the picturesque town of Kilkenny, considered one of the most attractive medieval towns in Ireland. Here, we enjoyed lunch at Kyteler´s Inn , a local medieval tavern trading back to 1324. However, I was a bit disappointed that during the day everyone was seated at their Courtyard Bar , which I did not like. But to access the toilets you´d walk through their medieval-tavern room and it all looked really cool.

Kilkenny turned out way more touristy than we expected. While walking around the center we made a stop at a local bookshop Khans Books Limited , where I got a coloring book Book of Kells for the kids, as well as a few new reads for the road.

One of the top local landmarks is Kilkenny Castle. But as it was really busy with the visitors, we decided to hit the road back to Dublin earlier in order to have some rest before the next few days.

In Kilkenny, you have a few interesting guided tour options – Historical and Hysterical Guided City Walking Tour and Historical Highlights Walking Tour .

After arriving at the Dublin Airport we left the rented car and headed to Maldon Dublin Airport Hotel . The initial plan was to take the bus from Dublin Airport to Belfast the next evening (after the Boyne Valley Tour ). But things got a bit complicated…

Day 5 – Boyne Valley Organized Tour

While I usually prefer traveling independently, for this Ireland family vacation we thought of reducing the days of driving and booking a few organized tours instead.

I initially thought of Newgrange Tour , but it was sold out (even though I was booking 2 weeks before the actual trip: so maybe, should have done it earlier). But another exciting alternative we found was The Celtic Boyne Valley Tour .

For this Boyne Valley Tour was a bit concerned about the kids since they don’t always have the patience to listen to the guides on the subject of history.

Plus, the last time I recall us doing a guided tour was at the Mommies Museum of Quinto during the Aragon road trip – we did not make it to the end (even though it was in Spanish and the whole subject of mommies tends to grab kids’ interest way better).

But the whole tour experience turned out surprisingly good. Our local guide David was extremely knowledgeable, and we were able to learn more about the culture and history of Ireland. Plus, lots of comments were made on the bus while the kids were busy painting, so it was easy to attend. At times, I was even translating a few stories and legends for the little ones (since they are only learning English).

During this Celtic Tour along Ireland’s Ancient East, we explored the Boyne Valley situated in County Meath (from where the high kings of Ireland ruled). We made stops at the Neolithic tombs of Loughcrew , Hill of Tara , Trim Castle , and Fore Abbey .

The only drawback of the day was the weather.

For the first time on this Ireland family vacation, I realized how lucky we were with the weather before. The heavy Irish rain caught us at the Hill of Tara . All of us were wearing waterproof boots, pants, and jackets. Additionally, I had an umbrella. But since it was also windy, the raindrops were coming from everywhere and everyone got wet. However, our guide comforted everyone that he had done the same tour under worse conditions.

While I was still preparing our 7-day itinerary for Ireland, I obviously read lots of other travel stories, most of which were full of statements like: “ We planned to do this, but it started to rain ”. At first, I could not get it: I mean, you have waterproof everything , what´s the problem? – But now, based on this personal experience, I understand how the Irish rains perform.

For what it´s worth, the day did not end with the bad weather. After the tour, which ended around 5 p.m., we were supposed to pick up the suitcase and take a bus back to Belfast . But to our huge surprise, there were no tickets online (due to a local football game everything was sold out and the city´s public transport collapsed).

This was the most stressful moment of our Ireland family vacation.

Since there were no bus or train tickets to Belfast available online , we took a taxi to the train station and bought tickets there. At the info desk, they warned us that the train would be extremely full ( everyone was returning home after the game in Dublin). I was already imagining sitting on the suitcases with the kids during the ride, but it had turned out surprisingly well.

I could even say that we enjoyed traveling from Dublin to Belfast by train more than we did by bus (as it was way more spacious).

After arriving in Belfast, we took a taxi to the Leonardo Hotel . At Belfast train station they had a curious taxi-call system : there was a public phone – you would pick it up and it would automatically call the operation center, so you´d get a taxi sent under your name.

My first impression of the night in Belfast was honestly a bit alarming. At our hotel, there was a double security check at the entrance (which I do not recall anywhere else in Europe). So, I immediately started to research online whether Belfast was actually safe.

Day 6 – Northern Ireland Organized Tour

The following day we woke up very relaxed since we had booked a Northern Ireland tour that started around 10 a.m.

Being early birds we had plenty of time for an excellent breakfast in Belfast before the tour. This was when I started to notice the beautiful architecture of Belfast . If Dublin city center was more about pubs and small colorful buildings, the facades of Belfast were tall and sophisticated.

The tour bus picked us up near the hotel and we headed to our first stop in Northern Ireland – The Dark Hedges , one of the emblematic Game of Thrones filming locations.

The Dark Hedges is an avenue of beech trees along Bregagh Road. My kids really loved the mysterious legend about this place: it states that the hedges are often visited by a local ghost Grey Lady, who travels across the road while flitting across it from tree to tree.

Our next stop of the day was Giant´s Causeway – one of the most-visited landmarks in Northern Ireland and a World Heritage Site (as well as a GOT filming location).

Once there, you could clearly notice that Giant´s Causeway is the number one local tourist attraction. We spent 1.30 hours exploring the polygonal columns of layered basalt rocks and caves, formed by a volcanic eruption 60 man-years ago. There was a bus taking travelers to the Giant´s Causeway from the visitors center, but we opted for a 15-minute walk (since there was a long line to get on the bus and none of us wanted to wait).

Giant´s Causeway is known for an ancient local legend of Finn McCool . My kids enjoyed it so much that I later bought them the book in Belfast .

By and large, both The Dark Hedges and Giant´s Causeway were way more touristy than anything else we have previously visited during these 7 days in Ireland. It was a surprise to me – I would have honestly placed all of my bets on The Cliffs of Moher being the top-visited site of the Emerald Isle.

The last stop of our Northern Ireland tour was Dunluce Castle : the dramatic ruins on a rocky chalk headland, dating from the 15th and 17th centuries.

Since the tour ended up around 4 p.m. we still had plenty of time to walk around Belfast’s city center. Here, I shopped for souvenirs at Carrolls Irish Gifts . It was not any more budget-friendly than the usual airport souvenirs. But I loved the wide variety. Also, we made a stop at a local bookshop Waterstones (which I loved so much) for new Irish children’s books.

Day 7 – Belfast

On the last day of our Ireland family vacation, we left the suitcases at the reception desk to enjoy the last moments in Belfast .

Thanks to our late flight back to Spain, we had the whole morning to take the kids to W5 – one of the coolest interactive museums I have seen in my entire life.

While the top sight of Belfast is definitely the Titanic Museum , we were not sure whether the little ones would enjoy it. But with W5 I was honestly impressed even myself: we could barely drag the kids out, they were having a blast and did not want to leave. It was definitely one of the highlights of the whole Ireland trip for them. You can check more details via my IG Highlight Ireland .

Souvenirs from Ireland

I do not recall bringing that many souvenirs from any of my recent trips.

Our family enjoyed this Ireland family vacation so much that we wanted to bring a piece of the Emerald Isle back home to Spain. Aside from local souvenir shops and Irish books , I have discovered a few unique local businesses and craftspeople.

Magee offers a beautiful collection of Irish clothing and accessories while being present on the market since 1866. I especially loved their cozy throws and tweed caps .

Irish socks looked so comfy that I could not resist and bought a few pairs for me, Carlos, and my parents. IrishTweedStore and KinsaleCrafts both offer cute collections of warm socks from Ireland.

Inside the St. Patrick’s Cathedral, I got a pair of Silver Emerald Shamrock earrings for each of my girls (I secretly wear these myself cause they are so beautiful) – SilverRainSilver and CelticJewelryDesign offer similar designs. You can find the most unique Irish Jewelry at IrishJewelleryGifts . If you like ceramics, check Celticclaysireland to shop for traditional Irish pottery. GiftsofIrelandCrafts and CeltGift offer a wide selection of different gifts from Ireland.

Here are a few more cool shops to find handmade Irish gifts and support local craftspeople: KateIrishTweedStore , GAELDesignStoreIre , MiniInish , TheDribblyYak , DonegalNaturalSoap , QuillsWoollenMarket , and EIREMusic . I so regret discovering TheCrochetDollGifts late – these could have been the most memorable gifts from Ireland for my girls.

By and large, I loved how this 7-day itinerary for Ireland has turned out.

It was definitely a fast-paced trip, but except for the Dublin-Belfast return trip, it all went on really smoothly. We were able to test both driving and organized tours in Ireland, try local foods, and explore the most iconic landmarks.

For me, Ireland felt like a very child-friendly destination, a perfect one to bring along the family. We definitely plan to return one day to see more of the Emerald Isle.

The most crowded landmarks were the ones of Northen Ireland. At the same time, in my opinion, it was Belfast , having the most interesting places for kids (rather than Dublin ).

While we have only visited W5 in Belfast , I am currently considering planning another 4-day getaway to Belfast with kids in order to visit all we had no time for:

• Belfast Walking Food Tour
• Ulster Museum
• Crumlin Road Gaol  – Belfast’s infamous prison, during a tour you get to explore the jails cells, execution chamber and graveyard, as well as to learn about the prison’s 150-year history
• Political Taxi Tour to explore the murals
• Botanic Gardens
• Belfast Zoo
• Colin Glen Forest Park ( the official Gruffalo trail)
• Andersonstown Leisure Center
• Aunt Sandra Candy Factory
• Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park
• Lagan Valley LeasurePlex
• Railway Preservation Society of Ireland
• Interactive Sensory Cocktail Experience in Belfast
• Game of Thrones Studio Tour Admission and Transfer from Belfast

For more travel tips check my Pinterest boards Europe Travel and Ireland .

For more travel stories check  my Pinterest boards   Best of At Lifestyle Crossroads and Europe Travel

• Accommodation : For short stays, I usually book via Agoda , Booking , and Hotellook
• Tours&excursions : My favorites for guided tours are GetYourGuide , Viator , and Klook
• Museums&attractions: Get mobile tickets for attractions via Tiqets (use ATC5 code for a 5% discount via this link )
• Semi-private & private tours: LivTours is my favorite place for unique & crafted experiences in Europe
• For Foodies:  Eatwith  is a unique platform for finding culinary experiences with locals around the world
• Audio guides : Book audio excursions & tours in 35+ countries via WeGoTrip
• Flights : Find the best deals with Skyscanner , WayAway , and Kiwi
• Driving in a new country? – Check out Tripiamo guides (do not miss Tripiamo Driving in Spain Guide )
• Train&bus tickets : Currently, I book via Trainline , Busbud , and Omio
• Car rental: To find the best deals, I use Rental Cars and Discover Cars
• Top E-Sim: GigSky helps me to avoid roaming fees and provides connectivity everywhere (even on a cruise ship)
• Internet Security on the road : Connect safely to public Wi-Fi and bypass censorship with NordVPN
• Transfers: For individual transfer services, I like GetTransfer and Kiwitaxi
• Suitcases&Luggage : Discover where to store your luggage on the go with Radical Storage
• Travel Insurance : Find the best trip insurance plans via VisitorsCoverage and EKTA
• Compensation for delayed/canceled flights : Check out AirHelp and Compensair
• Renting Bikes: To find motorcycles, scooters, quads, and bicycles, I use   BikesBooking
• Package Tours: Head to  CheapOair and  Expedia
• For Bloggers : To monetize my blog, I work with Travelpayouts and Stay22

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October 17, 2023

Epic itinerary! Your Ireland family vacation guide is a treasure trove of practical tips and scenic wonders. Thanks for sharing, ready to turn your recommendations into unforgettable family memories!

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Trip to Ireland Cost in 2024: The Complete Guide

by Writer ER

February 24, 2023

Ireland's dramatic coastline

Trip to Ireland Cost #1: Flights ✈️

• 🌈 Due to Ireland's famed misty and rainy weather, the summer months are the high season for travelers, with June and July being especially popular. This makes flying to Ireland more expensive in the summer 💲 , with a return flight in economy from New York to Dublin averaging around US$1,200 , with some cheaper options found at around US$900 👍 .
• ⛄️ Winter is the low season, with February considered the cheapest month to go, as it can be quite cold and wet but it's not Christmas. In the winter, economy flights from New York to Dublin drop down to averages of around US$600 return, with some cheaper options found at around US$400.
• 🎇 Another aspect to consider is the local customs, with flights naturally increasing with festivities such as Christmas, New Year, and of course, St Patrick's Day .

Cheap Flight from San Francisco to Ireland

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Crossed out prices are calculated based on the average price of the corresponding route on Trip.com.

Cheap Flight from Los Angeles to Ireland

Trip to Ireland Cost #2: Hotels 🏨

🏨 accommodation in dublin (based on two people for one night).

Staying in metropolitan Dublin means access to more options, from hostels to luxury suites. However, demand is high, making trip to Ireland costs higher here than in some less frequented cities.

• The Morrison Dublin is a central, five-star hotel with newly refurbished rooms, a fitness center, gourmet restaurants, and stunning views straight over the river.

The Morrison Dublin, Curio Collection by Hilton

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• A slightly lower cost central option, the Wren Urban Nest is perfect for non-smokers looking for modern yet comfortable accommodation in the heart of Dublin. An easy walk to Trinity College and local cafés and pubs.

Wren Urban Nest

• This four-star hotel is award-winning and lower cost due to its proximity to the airport. It's a great option for those looking to reduce their trip to Ireland costs, or for those flying in for meetings or renting a car and heading straight out to explore Ireland. The center of Dublin is a quick 20 min drive away.Hyde Hotel, Galway.

👉 Source: Trip.com

🏨 Accommodation outside Dublin (based on two people for one night)

• A cozy country house set on spacious grounds with options to go out on horseback. This homestead hotel offers beautiful four-poster beds and rugs in the bedrooms, as well as a large and luminous dining room and garden.

Carrygerry Country House

• This hotel in central Cork offers comfort and contemporary design right on the river at a relatively low price. You can grab breakfast in the hotel restaurant or walk straight into town and down to the famous English food Market, which is only 10 min away.

Jurys Inn Cork

• This hotel in Galway offers spacious and elegant rooms in soft pastel colors and has the highlights of an art-deco gin bar and tasteful dining spaces. It is central too, making it a great place to walk down the cobbled streets, stroll into colorful shops and stone-clad houses, venture out from the harbor by boat, or explore the surrounding landscapes and castles by car.

Hyde Hotel (Formerly the Forster Court Hotel)

• For a real getaway, in Castlemartyr you can stay in a 17th century manor house on a 220-acre estate with its own ruined 800-year-old castle. It has 10 treatment rooms, an indoor swimming pool, a golf course, an award-winning restaurant, and so much more. With prices not that far off some city hotels, how could we not include this one in the listing for your trip to Ireland costs?

Castlemartyr Resort Hotel

Airport pickup service

Swimming pool

Trip to Ireland Cost #3: Transport

• City buses: A standard 90 min adult fare on a Dublin city bus is just over US$2, while in Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford, a standard adult single fare is just under US$1.50.
• City trams: In Ireland, standard tram fares depend on the zones. For adults, the cost ranges between US$1.80 and US$2.70, while for children, it costs between US$0.85 and US$1.05.
• Long distance coach: The price of coaches between cities varies depending on availability and distance, but the prices are very reasonable. To give an example, the coach from Dublin to Cork (a journey of 3 hours) starts from only US$16.
• Long distance rail: Train tickets in Ireland are also very reasonably priced, with variations depending on times and availability. To use the same example, the train from Dublin to Cork starts from only US$16 if leaving early in the morning and rises to US$20 or more if booked for more usual times.
• Car rental: You can rent a small car for as little as US$100 for a week during low season, or a little over US$300 for the same duration in high season. This trip to Ireland cost does go up with the size of the car, but if traveling with family, you'll be thankful for the extra space.

Trip to Ireland Cost #4: Food

• Pub meal: Pubs are the heart and soul of Ireland, but they are not just for drinking and music. These warm and traditional settings are the staple of a good meal out, boasting hearty and warming dishes such as the renowned one-pot Irish coddled pork stew, filling and spiced black and white pudding dishes, colcannon and champ (or cabbage, kale, and mash potato with spring onion in English), or seafood chowder. Eating a meal like this in a pub will cost around US$15-17, while oysters and more meat-heavy dishes, such as a steak or ribs, will cost US$25-30 or more.
• Light bites: When exploring, we often just want a quick bite. Trip to Ireland costs for a sandwich or soup, or a fry-up of bacon, eggs, and soda bread will cost about US$6-14, with fry-ups being toward the higher end.
• Food markets: Food markets are perfect for sampling lots of different foods. You'll find food prices here are similar to or lower than in the pubs, but they can be higher if buying local, organic produce.

Trip to Ireland Cost #5: Sightseeing

📷 trip to ireland costs for dublin sightseeing.

The first stop on many Ireland trips is Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland. A low but important trip to Ireland cost is the hop-on hop-off city sightseeing bus tour in Dublin . From only US$30 pp, you'll have access to all the sights easily while enjoying an audio guide and the view from the open top bus. Use the bus to visit:

• The visit to the Guinness storehouse and brewery in Dublin is exciting from start to finish. Step into a giant beer glass to learn about the history and process behind the nation's signature and world-famous drink and finish with a complimentary pint and bird's eye view of the city from the seventh floor. Be sure to take part in a Guinness tasting session to set you up for a fun day.
• Trinity College Dublin is the oldest and best in the country and has served as the set for many movies, from Transformers to Ripper Street. Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, its library is Ireland's oldest and houses the culturally precious Book of Kells and the Book of Durrow. Step through the doors of this historic institution to feel like a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
• National museums in Ireland are free, meaning you can learn about the history and culture of the country without adding a penny to your trip to Ireland cost. Visit the National Museum of Ireland for a walk into the archeology and natural history of the land, or head to the National Gallery for Irish art and culture. For something a little different, head to the Little Museum of Dublin, which will teach you about regular life in Dublin during the 18 th century for a cost from US$19.
• The Kilmainham Gaol, or jail, was opened in 1796 and has housed some of the most important prisoners from Ireland's recent past. It is a must-visit attraction for anyone interested in Ireland's struggle for independence and politically turbulent history. Following a guide, visitors will learn about the lives of ordinary criminals and political prisoners from the 1798 rebellion, the 1916 Easter Rising, the Anglo-Irish War, and the Irish Civil War. Make sure to book in advance as its places get filled quickly!

Ireland Attraction - St Patrick's Cathedral

📷 Trip to Ireland costs for day trips outside of Dublin

• Blarney Castle in Tipperary is considered one of the most important in Ireland. In charming Irish fashion, the castle offers visitors the opportunity to obtain the "gift of the gab," or the ability to charm and smooth talk your way into, or out, of anything, if they can bend over backward to kiss the Blarney stone. This trip also takes you to visit the striking Rock Cashel church that sits on a hill and overlooks rolling fields that look as though they haven't changed in hundreds of years. Finally, the trip passes through the city of Cork, where you can't miss the English food market (established in 1788) or the local Irish whisky.
• The cliffs of Moher and their sheer drop into the Atlantic Ocean are some of the most dramatic views in Ireland and are a main stop for any visitor. You can visit them on a day trip that also includes part of the longest coastal road in the world, the Wild Atlantic Way, as well as the lunar landscapes and black limestone cliffs of Burren. An alternative trip at a similar cost, if you're interested in seeing the cliffs of Moher from below, takes you to the ancient sites and stone houses of the Aran islands by ferry and then guides you on a cruise around the foot of the cliffs on the return journey.
• Ireland's history goes back 10,000 years, and this tour will take you to its oldest surviving structures located in the Boyne Valley. You'll visit the UNESCO world heritage site of Newgrange and learn how these ancient burial chambers are lined up with the sun, in accordance with Pagan traditions. You'll also visit the ancient high seat of the Celtic Kings, known as the Hill of Tara, where 142 Irish kings are said to have held their reign. Finally, you'll take a step into a more recent past to visit the castles of Slane and Trim, historical locations used for the filming of a U2 album and the Braveheart movie, respectively.

The Cliffs of Moher

Trip to Ireland Cost #6: Souvenirs

• Aran fisherman's sweater or cardigan: Aran yarn is thick and slightly itchy, but expertly knitted together, it becomes a very warm, long-lasting sweater or cardigan traditionally worn by the fishermen of the Aran Islands. Irish Aran sweaters cost from US$60 to US$ 170, depending on the style and knit. There are also lower cost options, such as scarves, hats, baby blankets, and throws.
• Claddagh ring: The modern form of the Claddagh ring has been part of Irish culture since the 17 th century and you'll see it worn by many Irish (and non-Irish) women and men, and girls and boys. The ring is traditionally made from silver and represents love, loyalty, and friendship. It is the perfect gift to take home for those special to you, as it is said that it is bad luck to buy one for yourself. A silver Claddagh ring costs around US$50-100, but it can be more expensive if using gems or pure gold, or as little as US$15 if only silver plated.
• Connemara marble: Connemara marble is known as the "Irish gemstone" thanks to its unique green coloring and the fact that it is only found in Ireland. The marble is often added to jewelry, such as Celtic silver earrings with Connemara marble gems, Connemara marble pendants on necklaces, and striking Connemara brooches. The cost of Connemara jewelry depends on the level of work, the coloring of the marble, and the other components, however, you can find prices from as little as US$40 for earrings or into the thousands of dollars for something truly unique.
• Irish tartan: Many believe that tartan is exclusively from Scotland, but as a Celtic country, Ireland also has its own tartans (although they do not have as much history as the tartans of Scotland). You can buy Irish tartans belonging to names and areas of Ireland, so if you have Irish heritage, buying your clan's tartan can mean taking a bit of your own ancestral heritage home with you. If you don't have Irish heritage but love the styles and fabrics, that's fine too. You can add tartan to your trip to Ireland costs from around US$30 up, depending on if you are buying a pocket square, sash, cap, blanket, or something else. Better quality tartans will of course cost more.
• A book of Irish poetry or fiction: Ireland is famous for smooth talking, dramatic landscapes, and a turbulent history, so it is hardly surprising that it has birthed some of the world's best writers and poets — including Oscar Wilde. Take home a book of poetry or a story and keep learning about Ireland even after you've left. Irish literature will vary in price, but a copy of James Joyce's renowned "The Dubliners" will cost about US$10-15 while a copy of Irish poetry and folklore will cost about US$15-20.
• Guinness memorabilia: One of the cheaper souvenir options, Guinness memorabilia (and especially the old advertising billboards and cards), are witty and fun, as well as lightweight, making them an easy gift to bring back on the plane. Guinness memorabilia can be found across Ireland for as little as US$3 or less, but in the Guinness storehouse, you'll find items such as personalized Guinness glasses and pint sets from around US$15.

Trip to Ireland Cost #7: Keeping in Touch

Staying in touch while abroad is easy these days. If you need a local sim card, it does not have to be a high trip to Ireland cost. Find sim cards with unlimited data from Three for just over US$21 for one month . Other options include pre-paid sims with Vodafone and Eir.

Trip to Ireland Cost #8: Document Preparation

Traveling to Ireland means leaving your home and heading off to new lands with different laws and governing bodies. So, you'll need to be armed with the right documents, from passports to visas.

• For US citizens, passports must remain valid for the whole duration of the stay (max 90 days without a visa). A new US passport for your trip to Ireland costs between US$130 and US$195, depending on the requirements. If you need an expedited service, add a fee of US$80 for fast track and postage.

Passport fees for US citizens. (Source: US Department of State)

Trip to Ireland Cost #9: Travel Insurance

When planning out your trip to Ireland costs, you should factor in travel insurance. This cost will range depending on your age and health, as well as your plans and itinerary ­– if you intend on doing any extreme sports (or just drinking too much of the local booze), you may want to consider adding on some extra cover.

Since your travel insurance costs will vary depending on your individual preferences and situation, it is impossible to give an exact price. With this in mind, here are some example travel insurance prices based on our research of trip to Ireland costs in 2023:

US$80 for a 10-day trip / US$119 for a 30-day trip / US$169 for a 364-day trip:

• Emergency medical and hospitalization costs - US$50,000
• 24-hour accidental death - US$25,000 (body repatriation - US$1 million)
• Trip delay – US$2,000 plus accommodation
• Trip interruption – US$7,500
• 24/7 Emergency Assistance – Included

US passports. (Source: Photo by Global Residence Index on Unsplash)

Average Trip to Ireland Costs: 2- and 3-Night Holidays

Trip to ireland cost for 3 days, 2 nights – around us$,1500 per person (based on two people).

• Return flights: As we've seen, flight prices to Ireland vary massively depending on the season. For this example, we'll choose to fly economy during a weekend in September. Direct flights in economy from New York City to Dublin cost US$806 per person. Total cost US$1,612.
• Travel Insurance: It may only be a short trip, but considering possible flight delays, cancellations, theft, and general health, basic travel insurance is always a good idea. Total cost US$23.
• Keeping in touch: It is unlikely that your phone won't work in Dublin and there is certainly no shortage of Wi-Fi, however, should you need to purchase a local sim card, set aside a total of US$21 .
• Hotel: It's a short trip, so the likelihood is that we'll stay in Dublin and do a day trip or two. So, booking 2 nights in the Wren Urban Nest Hotel in Dublin for the same dates comes to $599 without breakfast. Total cost US$599.
• Dublin trips: Visiting Dublin will be largely free as you can easily walk around and see the museums. However, if we include the hop-on hop-off bus (US$30 pp), Guinness storehouse (US$27 pp), the Little Museum of Dublin (US$19 pp), and the Kilmainham Gaol (US$8.50 pp), that takes the total Dublin costs to US$169 .
• Day excursions: Considering that this is a short trip, there will probably only be time for one day excursion. Being that Blarney castle is one of the most important in Ireland and Cork is the second city, offering a wealth of history and cuisine, this seems the obvious choice. Additionally, it isn't too much driving. This trip costs US$76 pp, taking the total for two people to US$152 .
• Food: The hotel does not include breakfast, so this will have to be factored in too. So, for three days, we would need 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 6 dinners, plus snacks and drinks. If we consider dinners at the price of pub meals and lunches and breakfasts at the price of light bites, this comes to a minimum of US$162 for two people, plus snacks and drinks. An average pint of Guinness in Ireland costs US$6, so if we consider quite a few of those (let's be realistic) plus coffees, water, soft drinks, and snacks, two people will easily spend a total of US$250-300 on food and drink over three days.
• Souvenirs: Finally, you may want to take some souvenirs home. Perhaps something special like Connemara marble jewelry for yourself, a book of Irish poetry for your partner, and some fun memorabilia for family and friends. If this is the case, it would be wise to set aside a total of about US$100-150 for souvenirs. This trip to Ireland cost will vary depending on your tastes and how many souvenirs you want to buy.

👉 In total, the trip to Ireland cost for three days and two nights, for two people, would come to about US$1,500 per person .

Barrels of Guinness in Dublin. (Source: Photo by Jessica Johnston on Unsplash)

Trip to Ireland cost for 4 days, 3 nights – Around US$1,600 per person (based on two people)

• Return flights: Total cost US$1,612.
• Travel Insurance: With no change for an extra day, the total cost stays at US$23.
• Keeping in touch: Total of US$21 .
• Hotel: It's a short trip, so the likelihood is that we'll stay in Dublin and do a day trip or two. So, booking 2 nights in the Wren Urban Nest hotel in Dublin for the same dates comes to $599 without breakfast. Total cost US$599.
• Dublin trips: Visiting Dublin will be similar, so the total cost stays at US$169 .
• Day excursions: The average day trip costs US$75-80 pp, so we could add another day excursion on. Taking the total cost to around US$300 . Alternatively, you may choose to rent a car, however, we would then need to consider fuel costs (nearly US$5 a gallon today), as well as entry tickets. For two days of driving plus the car hire, the price may not be so dissimilar, although it will likely be a little less.
• Food: If adding on another day, we can add 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners, and a few more snacks and drinks. Using the same calculations as above, that gives us an additional US$54 for food plus another US$40 for snacks and drinks (so say an additional US$100). This takes us to a total of US$350-400.
• Souvenirs: No change here, so we'll keep a total of about US$100-150 for souvenirs.

👉 In total, the trip to Ireland cost for four days and three nights, for two people, would come to about US$1,600 per person.

Average Trip to Ireland Costs: Families, Couples, and Singles

Galway Cathedral

Trip to Ireland costs for families: some things to keep in mind

• Hotels: Look for hotels that offer family rooms. Depending on your budget and the children's age, you can find large rooms with sofa beds, interconnecting rooms, or two rooms that are next door to each other. Another great option is to consider aparthotels, as these will usually offer enough beds for a family, as well as a kitchen and sitting room – great for saving money on food or relaxing if the weather takes a turn.
• Day trips: When traveling as a family, it is definitely worth considering hiring a car. This will give you greater flexibility and will keep costs down as you won't need to pay for coach trips for everyone.
• Tickets: Many attractions will offer family tickets with discounts.

Trip to Ireland costs for singles: some things to keep in mind

• Hotels: Traveling alone means you can't split the cost of a hotel. Depending on your budget, you could consider hostels to bring the price down – these are also a great way of meeting people.
• Day trips: Depending on how long you're traveling for, you may want to consider taking coaches and trains to the next cities and towns. Traveling solo means you have more flexibility, so you can explore without as much structure. This is a great way to keep costs down and meet more locals.

Saving Money on Your Trip to Ireland Costs

• Flights: Travel out of season to keep costs down (spring and autumn are best).
• Hotels: Stay a little out from the center and take a bus or tram, or bike or walk into town to explore. If being central is important, consider hostels.
• Transport: Check if your hotel has free bicycles and explore the city that way. For long distances, jump on a coach or train instead of a guided tour.
• Food: If you can, share dishes so that you can try more for less. You also don't need to eat a big pub meal every night, consider soups and sandwiches in cafés, buy some supplies from a supermarket (definitely buy soda bread!), or even treat yourself to some fast food.
• Souvenirs: Don't buy from the tourist areas.
• Sightseeing: Some things just aren't worth skipping, but remember that most national museums, churches, historic libraries, castle grounds, and of course the landscapes, are all free in Ireland. Additionally, you can save money on castles and other cultural and historical sites by buying a heritage card from the Office of Public Works. They only cost around US$25 and will get you in to many places for the whole year.
• Travel insurance: Choose a basic package, ensuring it covers medical costs.

Ha'penny Bridge

Tips for Your Trip to Ireland

Must-knows:.

• Pack for all weather, as Ireland is notorious for being sunny one moment and rainy and windy the next.
• If you rent a car, be sure to drive on the left side of the road. You will also find that manual transmissions are much more common than automatics.
• Make sure you know the difference between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is also best to avoid topics of conversation that revolve around politics with the United Kingdom, and the relationship between Catholicism and Protestantism.
• There is no need to tip your bartender, the taxi driver, or anyone else when in Ireland. Establishments that have tips will usually include them on the bill. If you want to add a tip for exceptional service, however, you can of course do that.

How to see the local side:

• Go and watch a Gaelic football match.
• Head to a local pub that is hosting a "jam session" and you will find an amazing atmosphere with Irish music sung and played spontaneously and with great talent and fun.
• Go and take an Irish dancing class. You'll have fun, learn about the culture, and get a workout!
• The locals will absolutely love it if you learn a few words before you head over the water.

Trip to Ireland - FAQ

What is the basic information about ireland.

Ireland is an island (believe it or not!), located in the far west of Europe. However, 20% of the Republic of Ireland’s territory belongs to the United Kingdom and is called Northern Ireland.

What language do they speak in Ireland?

The main language spoken in Ireland is English, however, the Irish Gaelic language is also spoken with great pride.

What currency is used in Ireland?

Ireland is part of the European Union and has used the euro since 2002.

What is the most Irish thing to say?

The Irish are renowned for their sayings and happy-go-lucky attitude. For example, "Top of the mornin' to ya!" means "good morning!"

What is Ireland's national dish?

Ireland's national dish is an Irish stew. The broth varies from place to place, but many often add a splash of Guinness to add a very Irish flavor.

Trip to Ireland cost

• 1. Trip to Ireland Cost #1: Flights✈️
• 2. Trip to Ireland Cost #2: Hotels🏨
• 3. Trip to Ireland Cost #3: Transport
• 4. Trip to Ireland Cost #4: Food
• 5. Trip to Ireland Cost #5: Sightseeing
• 6. Trip to Ireland Cost #6: Souvenirs
• 7. Trip to Ireland Cost #7: Keeping in Touch
• 8. Trip to Ireland Cost #8: Document Preparation
• 9. Trip to Ireland Cost #9: Travel Insurance
• 10. Average Trip to Ireland Costs: 2- and 3-Night Holidays
• 11. Average Trip to Ireland Costs: Families, Couples, and Singles
• 12. Saving Money on Your Trip to Ireland Costs
• 13. Tips for Your Trip to Ireland
• 14. Trip to Ireland - FAQ

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What Does a Trip to Ireland Cost? A Full Rundown

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you buy or book through one of these links, I may earn a small commission .

Have you always wanted to visit Ireland, but are wondering what a trip to this gorgeous country would cost? Recently, my husband, Aaron, and I did our own 10-day road trip around the Emerald Isle. Since we are nerds (accountant and engineer), we tracked all of our expenses in a beautiful spreadsheet, which I am sharing below today.

This trip of ours was supposed to happen in 2020, but, well…. you know the rest. Originally, it was planned as one week in October, covering only the Republic of Ireland. One and a half years later, we rescheduled our Ireland trip for March of 2022, now enhanced with three more days and time in Northern Ireland . You can imagine how excited we were to finally go!

Inevitably, some of your expenses will not be the same as ours. For example, if you don’t need to board any pets, then you are already $600 under our budget. There are plenty more nuances to discuss, so let’s not waste any time, and jump right into it!

Here is our actual Ireland Trip Cost (in USD):

The above shows actual expenses paid over ten days in Ireland for two people. Our budget was not on a shoestring, but was not luxurious either.

With this being a 10-day itinerary with lots of moving around, my spreadsheet is pretty lengthy. To make it fit nicely for you above, I had to condense some of the line items. No worries though – I am going to break everything into more detail below.

While there are many factors that will make our actual expenses higher or lower than yours will be, for each category I will suggest ways to cut costs and where to splurge. After all, when doing such an epic Ireland road trip, one must occasionally treat thyself.

Travel Savvy Tip

Don’t look at this budget as a lump sum! That’s the quickest way to get intimidated and assume Ireland is unattainable. The truth is, you won’t pay the full amount at once. You’ll buy your flight, lodging, and rental car right away, and then likely pay nothing for a few months.

Once it gets closer to your trip, you’ll start looking at tours you may want to do, as well as make restaurant reservations. When you get back home from your trip, you’ll pay off any remaining vacay expenses you’ve incurred.

Breaking it into chunks like this is a much more approachable way to afford the cost of a trip to Ireland!

Ireland Trip Cost Breakdown:

Although traveling to Europe from the US can be pricey, Dublin is often one of the cheaper airports to fly into. Additionally, if you plan to travel elsewhere within Europe after Ireland, you can often find many budget flights on carriers like Ryanair.

We paid $753.57 for my flight and used credit card rewards points to cover the full amount of Aaron’s flight. This isn’t necessarily the cheapest price possible, but we weren’t able to be too flexible with Aaron’s limited vacation days . To find the best flight deals, I recommend comparing prices on Google Flights or Skyscanner , and avoid traveling during the summer months.

When flying United, we also pay extra for an Economy ticket, rather than the bare bones Basic Economy fares. This allows us to have flexibility with changing our travel plans when needed, as well as better overall customer service.

Solo travelers should budget around $700 on average for airfare. However, you can find even cheaper prices by following the below tips to avoid overpaying for flights :

• Be flexible with your travel days, as weekend flights can be crazy expensive. Play around with searching different departure and arrival days, and you’ll be amazed what a difference that can make.
• Travel during the low season (November through March), when there is an overall drop in prices.
• Last but not least, the tip that has helped me the most:  Sign up for a credit card with travel rewards points. We’ve gotten countless free flights thanks to our cards, simply due to points earned on every day purchases. We’ve had great experiences using both the  Capital One Venture  and the  Chase Sapphire Reserve .

Transportation

To road trip around Ireland, a rental car is a necessity. Rates will vary by the time of year and type of car. Generally, the smaller the car the better for navigating Ireland’s tight, winding roads. As you can see, we paid $210.05 for gas, as rates were very expensive during our trip.

You can also expect to pay for parking in cities like Kilkenny and Kinsale, as well as tolls when taking highways. Surprisingly, our route between Dingle and the Cliffs of Moher included a car ferry to cross a waterway, which was a hair shorter than circumventing it instead. The route on Google Map said “tolls”, which apparently meant the ferry toll, so watch out for that!

Be aware of your speed when driving around Ireland! A camera caught us driving nine kilometers over the speed limit, which we realized after receiving an 80 euro speeding ticket in the mail.

Public Transportation

In Dublin, a rental car will be more of a pain than anything else. Therefore, we ditched ours in favor of the city’s good walkability and bus connectivity. We didn’t use the taxi much, except for getting to and from the airport and one other time to go to Teeling Distillery.

Otherwise, in Dublin we paid $13.22 for one roundtrip bus ride, before realizing we’d be better off spending $33.23 on a Leap Visitor Card for the rest of our stay. At 16 euros a piece, these cards allowed us unlimited bus rides for 72 hours. We picked ours up at a Spar convenience store in Dublin.

Even if you are bus illiterate like me, rest assured that you can easily figure out the routes using Google Maps. Buses leave frequently and can take you just about anywhere in the city, so the card is totally worth it.

Doing a road trip around Ireland can make booking lodging trickier and a bit more expensive, since you have to move around so much. Over eleven days, we spent $1,801.51. While we tried to stay budget conscious, sometimes we splurged a little.

I couldn’t get out of my head the idea of staying in a cozy little cottage during March in Ireland, when the weather is still chilly at night. So when I stumbled upon the cutest stays on Airbnb, I couldn’t say no. We ended up booking three cottages at different spots around Ireland, which were a little on the pricey side.

That said, it is generally easy to find inexpensive bed and breakfasts, inns, and guesthouses all over Ireland. If hostels are more your thing, they are harder to come by in rural areas, but are more common in cities like Dublin and Galway. For reference, below is a list of everywhere we stayed during our Ireland road trip, along with what we paid.

• Kilmore Guesthouse – Kilkenny: 1 night at $112.93
• Seaside Cottage – Kilbrittain: 1 night at $216.29
• Rockcrest House – Kenmare: 1 night at $109.05
• Dingle Cottage – Dingle: 2 nights at $286.26
• Sli Na Mara – Galway: 1 night at $132.19
• Portrush Cottage – Portrush: 2 nights at $337.17
• Number 31 – Dublin: 3 nights at $607.62

Solo travelers booking the above stays and traveling in March will spend a similar total to us. However, many individuals won’t opt for cottage rentals, preferring hostels or simple rooms instead. Therefore, the total lodging cost for a solo Ireland trip may be much lower.

Eating in during your trip is a good way of keeping food costs down. However, as you can see from what we spent on groceries, we didn’t take advantage of this much.

The little bit we did spend on groceries was primarily on Irish brown bread, butter, and jam. In fact, this simple breakfast was kind of an obsession for us during much of the trip. Otherwise, we tried to stay in hotels or inns with breakfast included.

Solo travelers who are as averse to buying groceries as my husband and I will spend a little less than the above total.

Food & Drink

Aaron and I ate rather well during our Ireland trip, which is evident from what we spent at restaurants and pubs. We also love going to cafes while traveling, and stopped in for cappuccinos once or twice a day.

The food in Ireland really surprised me, as I expected it to be heavy and bland, but it really wasn’t! Throughout our road trip, Aaron and I were able to find everything from Thai, seafood, vegan, to French cuisine – you name it.

I did not find Ireland to be an especially pricey destination for dining, especially when sticking to cafes and pub food. The problem is, Aaron and I aren’t very disciplined with this, and food is always a splurge area for us. I suppose we could have cut down on the cappuccinos though.

If I had to choose a favorite meal from the entire trip, it was the Indian food we ate at Pickle in Dublin. Between their “duck two ways” and flavorful curries, everything we consumed was heavenly.

Solo travelers will likely spend less than half of our above total. As an occasional solo traveler myself, I hardly drink when I’m alone and typically opt for simple dinners like sandwiches and salads.

On our Ireland trip, the cost of doing activities was very reasonable. You can see the full list of everything we spent over ten days below, which for two people added up to $312.15. Outside of Dublin, most sights we visited were either free or had just a small fee.

Dublin activities tended to be more expensive; the Book of Kells and Teeling Distillery Tour were by far the most expensive experiences. If you can only do one, I recommend seeing the Book of Kells: it’s essentially a treasure that dates back to the 9th century. Of course, if tasting whiskey in Dublin is high on your list, you should know that we left with three bottles from Teeling.

You could also add a little color to your Dublin adventures with this Literary Pub Tour . It was one of the pricier things we did, but I personally love using literature as a reason to explore new pubs.

As for everything else on this list, there is nothing I recommend skipping. However, if you can’t fit it all, then prioritize the following: the Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, and Cliffs of Moher.

Ireland Trip Cost: Miscellaneous Expenses

• Shopping: $203.04 Chances are you’ll want to leave Ireland with a memento from your trip. Just be careful that you don’t blow your budget! Our purchase consisted of Teeling whiskey, a souvenir Starbucks mug, and a book about Kinsale by the guide from our walking tour.
• Cell Phone: $110 You may need an international plan to make sure your phone works during your trip. Under Verizon, I pay $10 for every day I use cellular data abroad. It’s a bit pricey, but worth it for how often I rely on my phone for Google Maps and last minute restaurant searches. Aaron keeps his phone on airplane mode so that we only pay for my phone.
• Pet Boarding: $660.36 While it’s ideal to have a friend or family member watch your pet for free, that isn’t always possible. When Aaron and I travel together, we always pay to board our dog in a cozy little “suite” at his vet office.
• Tips: $11.02 Tipping isn’t a huge practice Ireland. When receiving table service at a restaurant, 10-15% is the norm, but not if you’re simply ordering drinks from the bar. If a hotel porter carries your bags, 1-2 euros will suffice. With taxi drivers, it’s common to simply round up to the nearest euro.

There you have it – a comprehensive guide to the actual cost of our trip to Ireland. You should now have a good idea of what you can expect to spend on a ten day Ireland road trip. All that’s left is to start booking your trip, while dreaming of dramatic coastlines, fairy tale castles, and pubs galore.

Are you planning a trip to Ireland?

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A local mama's guide to the Emeral Isle

Visiting Ireland with kids: all you need to know

All you need to know to plan a family trip to Ireland: info, recommendations and insider tips by a local mum to help you plan your perfect family vacation in Ireland.

I love traveling around Ireland with my kids.

We live in Dublin and even if Ireland is home for our family, we seem to never tire of admiring it with the eye of the visitor.

After 15 years here, I still explore with the same awe I had when I first set foot on Irish soil and my husband and kids, both born and raised here, seem to share the same experience.

It is from this specific point of you, that of the visitor turned local, that I write this post today.

It is my family guide to Ireland and contains all my best tips for visiting Ireland with kids.

Wishing you a wonderful Ireland family vacation!

The best time to visit Ireland with kids: Ireland in each season

If you are planning a family trip to Ireland, you may have to arrange it around school holidays and if that is the case, you will be happy to hear that no matter when the school break falls, it can be a good time for visiting the Emerald Isle!

Ireland has a reasonably temperate climate, considering how far North it is, and while your experience of the place will be very different if you come in summer or winter, there is something fun to do in all seasons.

If you can choose, however, without a doubt some times are better than others to plan a trip to Ireland. In particular, it is useful to know the following.

The best time to visit Ireland is the spring / summer , and specifically the months between May and August.

At this time, Ireland his reasonably dry, you are likely to get nice sunny, bright days and the days are long, meaning you get a good amount of light for sightseeing well into the evening.

The summer is a great time to visit Ireland with kids who love sports and outdoor pursuits; hiking, zip-lining and adventure centers here abound!

Another fun time to visit Ireland with kids can be Christmas .

Christmas in Dublin, Galway and Cork, in particular, is lovely as they have some of the best Christmas markets in Ireland .

While undoubtedly a cold time, the cities dress up with Christmas decorations and it can be a fun time for shopping, meeting Santa, indoor play centers (there are many in the big cities) and hot chocolate!

Documents needed to enter Ireland with kids

The documents you need to enter Ireland depend on your country of origin.

Ireland is inside the EU but outside the Treaty of Schengen and this may affect your travels and require additional paperwork.

The best source of information for documents needed to enter Ireland is your nearest Irish embassy or consulate. You can find the complete list here (official sire of the Irish departments of Foreign affairs).

Good to know : if you are traveling to Ireland alone with a child with a surname different from yours, you may be asked to show their birth certificate stating you are their parent or an equivalent document that proves you are their legal guardian and are allowed to travel with them. I have been asked this document occasionally only but since it can happen, I believe it is important to know about it and be ready.

How to get around Ireland with kids: car, train or bus?

By far the easiest way to travel around Ireland with kids is by car.

Ireland has an ok network of buses and trains.

However, without your own vehicle, you are very much limited in your choice of accommodation.

In many cases, the most atmospheric and budget-friendly accommodation options in Ireland are a little away from the main centers and they can be hard to reach if you are relying on public transport and trains only.

If you can, a car in Ireland is your best friend!

You can find my tips for driving in Ireland here

If you prefer not to drive, another good alternative is taking day trips and day tours.

Ireland has a very good selection of days tours offered by several companies that allow you to visit many of Ireland’s main attractions without having to get behind the wheel.

In many cases, you can even choose a home base and simply take day trips from there: Dublin, Cork and Galway are all good options for this type of trip.

This is a quick selection of some of the most interesting offers.

Need to know: rules for the use of car seats in Ireland . The use of car seats in private cars is mandatory in Ireland for kids up to age 12. Make sure you book one when renting a car or bring your own! Taxis are exempt from this rule: if you only need to hop on a taxi on arrival, you may want to consider going without a seat. However, please be advised that the transfer from the airport to your hotel is likely to involve motorway driving.

Ireland sightseeing with kids: tackling Ireland’s main sites as a family

Ireland is very kid-friendly and many of the places you are likely to have on your Irland bucket list are easy to visit even with kids in tow.

Visiting Dublin with kids

Dublin is a very family-friendly city and I know its kid-friendly side very well, Dublin being our city!

If this is your first time visiting, I highly recommend you find a hotel in the city center and explore some of the city’s main sites as well as plan additional time just for the kids.

My tops things to see in Dublin with kids are Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Dublinia (interactive Viking Museum), Dublin castle and maybe surprisingly, the Guinness storehouse!

Kid specific attractions to seek out, in my opinion, are Stephen’s green park, the Dublin splash tour, the zoo and Imagnosity, Dublin’s children museum (outside of the center but great for a rainy day!)

Dublin has also many parks and playgrounds , perfect for a break from sightseeing.

Exploring Glendalough with children

Glendalough is a gorgeous monastic site only 40 Km from Dublin, in Country Wicklow.

It is a lovely place for sightseeing with kids as it has a lake and ample space to run around.

The best way to reach is by car. With kids, I suggest you skip the visitor center and simply walk towards the lakes and the monastic site.

The visit is free, the forest is lovely for a walk or a picnic (it is also stroller friendly if you have younger kids) and the Glendalough hotel has a decent, kid-friendly restaurant for food and facilities.

You can find mi tips for visiting Glendalough here.

The Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are one of the most famous attractions in Ireland and while they may not strike you as the most ki-friendly place (350 mt cliffs plunging into the ocean anyone?), they actually are a bit of a treat with kids.

The area is very well equipped for small visitors (they have a nice visitor center and cafe) and the cliffs are protected by tall slabs of rock that make them safe.

However, cautious here is needed: if you have over-enthusiastic kids, make sure they don’t run too far ahead and make sure they do not go on the parts of the path that are marked as unmanned!

While you ill see a string of adult visitors ignoring the warning signs, these paths are not safe and especially for kids, they can pose a real danger.

Good to know : not fr from the cliffs there are the Ailwee caves, a wonderful place for kids. Here, you can go on a guided tour of a real cave (easy, no experience necessary) and experience what total darkness is! It is slightly scary but also cool. You also have a falconry center in the same complex with really fun and educational flight displays of falcon and owls.

Driving the Ring of Kerry with children

The Ring of Kerry is a wonderful drive following the coast of the Kerry peninsula, in the West of Ireland and it is one of the most famous places and drives in the whole of Ireland.

It is indeed a lovely area and it can surely be visited with kids. However, it can also be hard to take.

The problem here is that the road is long and winding and while the scenery is stunning, you find yourself in the car a lot – this can be too much for many kids and frankly awful if they suffer from motion sickness.

If you want to visit Kerry with kids, I recommend you take a few days and break up the drive as many times as you need. Even better, you can explore the National Park with a home base in Killarney , which is lovely and family-friendly.

If you prefer not to tackle it at all but still see nice scenery, I would recommend considering Dingle or the Beara peninsula instead: they both have amazing scenery and require less time in the car.

Blarney Castle

Blarney Castle is one of the most famous attractions in Ireland and one of my favorite.

The castle itself is atmospheric, imposing and romantic, and towers above a stunning estate with gardens, forests and grottoes.

It is a fantastic place to spend a day outside with the kids and it is packed with stories and things to see: you will learn stories of the local witch and you will also have the chance to visit a poison garden. Super fun!

You can read our guide to visiting Blarney Castle with kids here .

Connemara is an area of great natural beauty and a very popular destination in Ireland not just for visitors but for local families.

It is an area many Irish people use as a base for the summer as it is remote, beautiful and not too awfully expensive.

Visitors usually want to see Kylemore Abbey and Clifden but families should also add a stop in a farm.

A stop in one of the local farms can be really fun for the kids and it can also be a way to tap into a slightly more local experience than what you get in main tourist sites.

You are also likely to meet many Irish families having a fun day out, which can be a fun way to make local friends and play for a few hours!

A fantastic place for families in Connemara is the Delphi centre and resort: this is a hotel and adventure center with lots of activities for kids and adults, in one of the most stunning locations in Ireland!

Newgrange is an incredible place for adults and kids and one I recommend visiting especially if you have school-age children who can appreciate the marvel of it.

A passage tomb dating back to the neolithic, Newgrange can only be visited by booking a guided tour.

I do not recommend it with little kids, who may find the dark and small space distressing, but it is a place school kids tend to love.

Good to know if you have toddlers with you: almost in front of it there is a nice farm open to visitors with animals and a nice cafe.

Please note: in 2020, visiting inside the tomb are suspended for health and safety reasons.

Kilkenny is a small city in the center of Ireland with a lot on offer for kids: a castle (with amazing playground ), a city train for tourists, lots of shops and restaurants and a plethora of outdoor certifies in the area such as kayaking!

We go to the city often, sometimes as a day trip from Dublin and sometimes for a weekend and the city never lets us down.

You can read why we love it and the best things to see in Kilkenny here .

Kids attractions in Ireland

As well as kid-friendly sightseeing, Ireland has many kid-centered attractions that I highly recommend you add to your Ireland itinerary.

Among the many, I recommend

Farms, castle and manor houses

Ireland has many castles, farms and manor houses now open to the public and often offering kids’ activities. Some we know and love are:

• Killruddery House and gardens (amazing play area and activities), Co Wicklow
• Russborough House (maze, falconry center, fairy walk, playground), Co Wicklow
• Avondale house (forest walk and playground), Co Wicklow
• Wells house (forest Gruffalo walk, archery, playground), Co Wexford
• Ardgillan castle (a fairy walk, playground), Co Kildare
• Malahide Castle (amazing playground), Co Kildare
• Birr Castle (playground, walk, an amazing science center and a historic, record-breaking telescope), Co Offaly
• Trim Castle (castle visit to feel king for a day), Co Meath
• Powerscourt House and Gardens (lovely manicured gardens with lots of space to run and Santa visits at Christmas), Co Wicklow

Parks and Adventure centers for kids

Over the last few years, adventure centers have pen up in several parts of the country and they can be real fun for kids.

Tayto Park is a theme park while the others are adventure centers with outdoor adventurous activities such as ziplining, treetop rope course and more.

Some we love are:

• Tayto Park , a kids favorite, super fun theme park (think rollercoasters etc)
• Castelcomer Discovery Park , Co Kilkenny
• Lough Key camping and adventure center , Co Roscommon
• Delphi Adventure Resort , Co Galway (great for a family weekend getaway too!)
• Kippure Adventure Center, Co Wicklow

Where to stay in Ireland with kids

Ireland has a vast choice of accommodation choices for families ranging from hotels to holiday rentals to guesthouses etc.

Hotels tend to be the most expensive option. They come in all shapes and sizes and often have good facilities for families including indoor pools, kids’ activities and restaurants onsite – very handy!

You can find here >>> our selection of the best family hotels in Ireland .

Guesthouses and B&Bs are smaller and have a more personal feel. They are usually in local homes and kids are welcome, although not all can accommodate 3 or 4 people in a room. My favorite website to book guesthouses and B&Bs is booking.com which allows choosing the best rooms for your party taking your kids’ age into account and also has good cancellation options. You can find deals and options here

Rentals can be a good option for longer stays

For all these bookings I usually trust booking.com which has always served us well and has amazing free cancellation policies on most properties. See all they have in Ireland here

Visiting an Irish pub with kids in tow

if you are in Ireland, chances are you may want to experience a real Irish pub and there is no need to skip on this just because you have kids.

While not all pubs are kid-friendly, many are: pick those that serve food and ask for a kids menu – many will surprise you with a good one!

Please note: In 2020, new rules have been introduced with timed slots for meals and pub visits. Make sure you make dinner plans in advance by ringing the pub or making a reservation online to secure a table.

What to pack for visiting Ireland with kids

You can find my packing lists for Ireland here, however, these are the main things I suggest you add if coming to Ireland with kids:

• Stroller for babies and toddlers. I recommend one with bigger wheels, so it can tackle country paths and longer walks. All terrain strollers are the best in Ireland as they seamlessly go from town to country.
• An extra change of clothes and shoes for rainy days
• Books about Ireland they can read as the go
• A small pair of binoculars for birds and wildlife

I hope you enjoyed this quick guide to visiting Ireland with kids and it helped you plan your Ireland family vacation. Safe travels!

Mama Loves Ireland

Céad míle fáilte! A thousand times welcome! I am a travel-loving Italian Mama lucky enough to call Ireland her home. Let my articles help you plan your trip to Ireland and get ready to fall in love with the Emerald Isle, just like I did. With love. M x

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Visiting Ireland on a Budget: A Complete Guide (2024)

A World in Reach contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a commission at no cost to you! Read my full disclosure here .

Considering a trip to Ireland but don’t want to break the bank? Here’s the ultimate guide to visiting Ireland on a budget, complete with helpful travel tips from a local!

Wondering how to visit Ireland on a budget? You’ve come to the right place!

Ireland was the first country I ever visited outside of the United States, so it’s a very special place for me. I got to spend two weeks exploring all over the Emerald Isle.

Ireland is one of the most popular countries to visit in the world, and for good reason. The charm, the natural beauty, the people, and the history are just a few of the reasons a trip to Ireland is worth making.

Unfortunately, Ireland is consistently ranked as one of the most expensive countries in Europe and beyond.

That being said, it is still possible to visit Ireland on a budget…if you know how to do it right.

To help you with planning a trip to Ireland on a budget, I reached out to my friend Josh from A Backpacker’s World .

Josh is a full-time budget traveler who is from Ireland, so he knows all the local tips and tricks for a budget-friendly trip .

So without further ado, here’s a complete guide to visiting Ireland without breaking the bank!

Ireland Daily Shoestring Budget

The average budget traveler will spend around €60-70 a day in Ireland including accommodation, transport, food, and activities.

These 4 costs are always the main expenses while backpacking.

Of course, it’s possible to survive on less than this as an ultra-shoestring budget traveler, and on the other hand, it’s easy to spend a lot more money than this too.

At the end of the day, every traveler is different and there is no “one size fits all” budget .

VISITING IRELAND ON A BUDGET

How to get to ireland on a budget.

Ireland is famous for a lot of things, and there’s no denying that Ryanair is one of them.

Whether for better or for worse, Ryanair is the most popular budget airline throughout Europe. It’s got mixed opinions but personally, I love Ryanair.

I think if you have your expectations in check, you can’t go wrong with them. They’re perfectly suited for budget travelers.

You can easily get return flights to Dublin from all over Europe for anywhere from €20-50. I wouldn’t spend more than this – if you can be flexible with your dates you can save so much more.

If you’re not already in Europe, your flights will cost significantly more, but you can still get relatively affordable flights from the US to Dublin.

I am a huge fan of Going , an email newsletter that sends out flight deals from US airports to destinations all around the world. They often send emails with deals from the US to Dublin for as low as $400.

Going has both free and paid subscription options, and I personally use and love the paid one. Click here to sign up for a Going Premium free trial.

Once you make it to Ireland, you can easily add another European destination to your trip. Or, if you get a great flight deal, fly to another destination in Europe before grabbing a cheap Ryanair flight to Ireland.

How to Get Around Ireland on a Budget

Ireland’s public transport system is “meh”, but it’s the best option you have when you’re on a budget.

There are trams in Dublin but there aren’t really anywhere else.

While you’re in a city or town, most things are close together so it’s walkable.

Ireland is pretty small so you’ll never be too far away from anything. Between destinations, you’ll mainly rely on buses and trains to get you around the island.

Taxis in Ireland are very expensive and there’s rarely an occasion where you need to take one, so if you are being strict with your budget, avoid them at all costs.

Getting between cities and places, you’ll most likely take buses.

Flixbus doesn’t operate in Ireland, but the local transport systems run coaches between major places , like from Dublin to Belfast or Galway.

Unfortunately, hitchhiking isn’t really a thing in Ireland. You can try it for sure, but I’ve never even seen someone attempt it in 20 years of living here. 

Budget Accommodation in Ireland

As always when traveling on a budget, the best way to save money on accommodation is by staying in a hostel.

You won’t always have an abundance of choices to choose between, but most places in Ireland will have at least a couple of hostel options.

The average price is between €20-30 a night , so it’s not the cheapest in the world, but it’s still significantly cheaper than a hotel or Airbnb or equivalent.

I typically use Booking.com and Hostelworld to search for hostels.

Just make sure to read reviews before booking so you can make sure that the hostel’s vibe matches what you’re looking for. Some hostels are very party-focused, while others are more laid back.

Places to Visit in Ireland on a Budget

There are so many places to visit in Ireland, but when you’re on a budget, you’re limited to where you can go.

It would be impossible to visit Ireland without checking out some of these places, but others are more suited for shoestring budgets.

I recommend doing your own research and using these as a basis to form your itinerary, not just following it blindly, because every traveler enjoys different things.

Dublin is likely where you’ll first arrive in Ireland.

It’s the country’s largest city and home to its largest airport, so it’s probably where you’ll fly into whether you’re coming from the US or taking a Ryanair flight from somewhere else in Europe.

Many visitors don’t spend a whole lot of time in Dublin, but make sure you don’t just move on straight away to your next destination.

The city has a lot to offer, and there are so many reasons to visit Dublin . It’s the capital of Ireland and it’s filled with history and culture.

Taking a walking tour is a must – I recommend taking an Easter Rising-themed tour of Dublin to learn about the uprising, it’s fascinating.

And of course, you can’t skip sightseeing with the likes of Temple Bar, Trinity College and the Book of Kells, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

If you end up spending a longer amount of time here, you can also take advantage of the many day trip options from Dublin .

Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland, which is a country on the island of Ireland but that’s actually part of the United Kingdom.

It’s well worth a visit as, like Dublin, it’s filled with history, and I’d recommend taking a walking tour themed around “The Troubles” .

There are also lots of tours from Belfast , making it easy to get from the city to the other main attractions and destinations in Northern Ireland , such as the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.

Galway is a pretty affordable city, and even though it’s a city, it feels like a small town.

Apart from being included in an Ed Sheeran song, there is a great music scene in Galway.

The culture in the city is really traditional and it’s likely what you imagine when you picture Ireland.

The atmosphere is really lively and friendly and the best way to describe Galway would be as “cozy”.

Although it’s pretty out of the way as it’s right on the south coast of Ireland, Cork is a must-visit.

It’s one of the most well-known places in Ireland and when you visit it yourself, you’ll see why.

Just like Galway, Cork is a very traditional Irish destination. The charm of the city is unmissable and will hit you in the face as soon as you arrive.

The colorful houses that line the water perfectly sum up the appeal of Cork.

Kilkenny is a very historical place, with cobbled streets and of course, Kilkenny Castle.

It’s like stepping back in time, with medieval buildings and streets. It simply feels “Irish”.

Plus, it’s one of the cheaper destinations in Ireland which is always good when you’re traveling on a budget!

The castle gardens are free to visit too which is a nice plus, but make sure you don’t miss the Medieval Mile either – it’s stunning. 

Other places in Ireland that you may choose to visit include Sligo, Limerick, and Westport.

When visiting Ireland on a budget, make sure to avoid places like Enniskillen and Donegal. They are very expensive as they are popular staycation destinations for Irish people, with fancy retreats and resorts.

Things to Do in Ireland on a Budget

While traveling on a budget in Ireland, you’re going to want to predominately do free things or very cheap things.

Without getting into very specific things such as visiting the Cliffs of Moher or walking along the River Liffey in Dublin, here are a few generic things to do in Ireland no matter where you are on the island.

The good thing about sightseeing is that it’s completely free, and in some cases, that’s all you want to do.

For example in Dublin, the Temple Bar is cool to see, but if you want to have a drink, it’s going to cost you a fortune.

It’s not worth it, so sometimes it’s better to just enjoy things by looking at them.

Free Walking Tours

One of the best things you can do on a budget anywhere in the world, Ireland included, is take a free walking tour .

While the word “free” is slightly misleading as you are expected to tip at the end, a €10 tip for a tour which would normally cost like €50 is a no-brainer.

Explore Free Museums

Many of the museums in Ireland are completely free of charge including the Natural History Museum and the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin or the Ulster Museum in Belfast.

You can donate if you like, but most people don’t, including locals.

Exploring a museum for free is always a great way to spend a few hours, and if you don’t have a good time, well, at least it was free.

Take a Coastal Drive

If you’re staying in Ireland for a bit longer than most, you may wish to rent a car, and if you do, you are going to have some incredible drives.

Ireland’s coasts are some of the most beautiful in the world, with the likes of the Wild Atlantic Way which is one of the most Instagrammable places in Ireland for sure.

Take a Hike

One of the biggest selling points of Ireland is its natural beauty.

There are endless hiking opportunities such as in the Mourne Mountains or at Howth Castle.

All you need to do is find a way to get to these places for cheap (usually public transport), and then it’s completely free.

Most parks and areas of natural beauty in Ireland only charge for vehicles and don’t charge for pedestrian access.

Ireland Budget Travel Tips

As always with budget travel, there are some tips and tricks that apply to the specific country to help you save money.

Ireland is no different, so here are some helpful tips for visiting Ireland on a budget.

1. You can drink tap water in Ireland

Tap water in Ireland is completely safe to drink, so there’s no need to pay for bottled water.

It actually tastes quite nice too – it’s very fresh, especially in the countryside.

Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle. Not only will it save you money, but it’s better for the environment, too.

2. Visit during off-peak season

Every country has a peak season, and like most places, Ireland’s is in the summer.

But the thing about Ireland is that the weather gets so bad throughout the rest of the year that few people want to come – the peak and off-peak seasons are very contrasting.

But there is a silver lining, and it means things are much cheaper, which is good for budget travelers.

3. Take advantage of student discounts

Many attractions and museums all over Ireland offer discounts to students, with some restaurants even doing special deals for students.

If you are a student, make sure you bring your ID or International Student Identity Card as it will save you tons of money.

If you’re not a student, I’m not saying to bring a fake ID, but someone in Ireland isn’t going to know whether your American university ID is legit or not…

4. Book things in advance

One thing that I don’t like about Ireland is the lack of spontaneity.

A huge perk of budget travel is always the ability to be spontaneous, but Ireland isn’t really designed for this.

Many things are cheaper if you book online rather than turning up and paying on arrival. This applies to attractions like zoos and activities like bowling or mini golf.

5. Always bring a coat

While this trip has nothing to do with visiting Ireland on a budget, it’s more just a general tip for visiting Ireland.

Always have a coat with you, even in summer.

I know most countries will say this but in Ireland, you really can have all four seasons in an hour.

Also, don’t trust the weather forecast, it’s usually wrong.

Plus, bringing a coat with you will prevent you from having to purchase one on a chilly day!

Ireland on a Budget: Final Thoughts

And there you have it, a complete guide to visiting Ireland on a budget!

While it’s not a country that’s designed for budget travel, it’s still possible to do, it’s just a little more difficult.

But it’s so worth it – you’re guaranteed to leave Ireland with memories to last a lifetime.

So, get those flights booked and go and enjoy life on a budget in Ireland!

After traveling outside of the US for the first time while studying abroad, I quickly developed a love for travel and an obsession for exploring as much of the world as possible. Now, I'm on a mission to teach college students, young adults, and anyone else who wants to see the world how to travel while minimizing their expenses and maximizing their experiences.

How Much Does a Trip to Ireland Cost (On Any Budget)?

Figuring out how much a trip to Ireland costs is a bit of a perplexing question simply because of the wide variance of pricing across the country.

In Dublin, for example, accommodations are dramatically more expensive than the countryside… but to explore the countryside, a rental car is really the way to go, which drives up costs.

Food is generally reasonably priced, but order a few too many pints of Guinness, and you may find yourself spending more than expected.

Sightseeing can cost almost nothing thanks to the absolutely gorgeous countryside that is free to visit, but add in visits to some of Ireland’s most popular attractions or tours, and the costs can easily add up.

From a basic Ireland travel budget to what to expect when planning a luxury getaway, here’s how much a trip to Ireland costs.

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Table of Contents

How to Use This Trip to Ireland Cost Guide

About flying into ireland, budget trip to ireland cost: $60-80/day, mid-range trip to ireland cost: $100-$120/day, luxury trip to ireland cost: $200/day & up.

Obviously, every traveler and the cost of every trip to Ireland is unique, but we’ve put this Ireland budget guide together to offer a rough estimate of what travelers can expect to spend at various price points on a trip to Ireland.

All of these estimates for the price of a trip to Ireland are given in USD unless otherwise stated, and are for one person.

This Ireland travel budget estimates also assume you are traveling during the summer high season or the shoulder season (late spring, early fall).

We have intentionally excluded the cost of getting to Ireland from this Ireland budget guide, simply because the price varies so dramatically based on where you are coming from.

However, the good news is that for travelers both from North America and Europe, Ireland can be one of the cheapest places to fly into, which already gives an Ireland travel budget a leg up over many other nearby destinations.

This is helped by the fact that the budget airline Ryanair is based in Dublin, and many east-coast USA airport hubs, like Boston, have a huge volume of flights to Dublin.

However, don’t only check prices for flights to Dublin: while the vast majority of international flights do land in the capital, double-check prices for flights to Cork, Shannon, and Belfast as well–you never know when you’ll find a great deal.

Ireland is a difficult country to travel in on a very small budget, but it is possible to limit expenses in some areas to limit the overall cost of your trip to Ireland.

This is a rough sketch of what a budget trip to Ireland will cost and feel like.

Keep in mind that this is a budget trip in the sense of a traveler who is visiting Ireland as a standalone destination or as part of a defined trip. Shoestring backpackers who would like to cut costs by couchsurfing, avoiding all paid attractions, etc, will, of course, be able to get by on less, but that is not how we would recommend seeing Ireland!

Accommodation

Accommodation in Ireland can be pricey by budget standards, with dorm rooms in hostels starting around $20 USD/person/night.

If you’re traveling with at least one other person, it can often be easier to split a budget private room than to deal with a dorm for similar money.

Dublin is by far the most expensive place to stay in Ireland, so if you’re looking to cut costs, limit your nights in the capital city!

Transportation

Transportation is another area that’s hard to manage on a budget for a trip to Ireland, as renting a car is absolutely the best way to see the country, and while expensive by budget standards, allows you to cut your expenses in other areas (food, sightseeing, lodging) much more easily.

Honestly, the best way to limit your transportation costs in Ireland is simply to travel with a group and split the cost of a car, rental insurance, and gas.

If you can’t or don’t want to drive and are traveling on a budget, the next-best option is to use Ireland’s bus system to travel throughout the country, and ideally limit your travels to a smaller geographic area to save costs.

Check rental car prices for your trip to Ireland with  Discover Cars  today!

While eating out in Ireland can get pricey–especially if you are a fan of Irish beer or whiskey–there are plenty of ways to save.

Groceries are affordable and many small hostels and private rooms in homes that you can rent include cooking facilities.

In addition, when pricing out lodging, be sure to account for the fact that a place that serves a full Irish breakfast included in the rate is absolutely worth paying a bit more for–we found they kept us full well into the afternoon.

Tours & Attractions

Major attractions like the Cliffs of Moher, the Guinness Factory, and the Giant’s Causeway do cost a bit to visit–often $10-15 USD for a ticket–there are also enough free places to visit in Ireland that there’s no real reason to pay for attractions if you’re traveling on a strict budget.

Even highlights like the Cliffs of Moher and Giant’s Causeway can technically be visited for free if you’re willing to hike a couple of miles rather than visiting from the built-up visitor’s center, so if you’re a hiker, it’s easy to keep your trip to Ireland cost down for this category.

While budget travel in Ireland can be a bit tricky, traveling on a mid-range budget can be very, very simple–and honestly, sometimes more affordable than you might think!

Especially in the countryside, there is a plethora of small inns and bed & breakfasts in Ireland that cost well under $100 USD/night, even for incredibly quaint and well-reviewed places that include a breakfast fit for royalty.

Though you won’t want to splash out every night, when calculating your trip to Ireland cost on a mid-range budget, you’ll likely find you have room to splurge on 1-2 nights in a castle, as well–and the experience is worth every penny.

Like budget travelers, mid-range travelers will want to avoid too many nights in Dublin to keep accommodation costs down, but the most charming parts of Ireland are outside the capital anyway.

On a mid-range budget, renting a small car to travel around Ireland is absolutely, 100%, the way to go–road tripping in Ireland is a complete delight and the best way to see the country.

To keep costs lower, rent the smallest car possible (honestly, you’ll want to do this regardless of your Ireland travel budget–Ireland’s roads are tiny), and split the costs with at least one other person if you can.

On a mid-range budget, food in Ireland will generally look like an included full Irish breakfast at your bed & breakfast of choice, perhaps a light meal or something prepared at home for one other meal, and one meal out per day.

Honestly, the meals in Ireland are often so heavy we were usually comfortable with one included breakfast, one large dinner, and some other small snacks and treats rather than a full third meal.

When calculating your trip to Ireland cost, be sure to include a small portion for tours and attractions like visiting the Cliffs of Moher from the visitor’s center, taking a ferry to a few islands, and taking the occasional interesting tour–we loved our tour of Belleek Castle , for example, and touring the Trinity College Long Room is practically a must.

You likely won’t need to set aside a huge portion of your budget for this, as some of the best things about visiting Ireland, on a budget or not, are free.

Like most destinations, there’s no limit to how much a trip to Ireland costs on a luxury budget–here are a few examples to get you inspired to plan your epic getaway.

Want to stay in a castle every night for your trip to Ireland? On a luxury budget, you sure can!

That being said, we do recommend staying in a luxurious countryside bed & breakfast or inn at least once to mix up your experience in Ireland.

While you can certainly rent a more luxurious and higher-end car on your trip to Ireland with a luxury budget than a smaller one, we still highly recommend sticking to the tiniest vehicle that can comfortably fit your party in–the roads can be quite narrow, and difficult driving can detract from your Ireland travel experience!

With a luxury budget, there’s no shortage to the phenomenal food you can eat in Ireland.

Here are a few food experiences to consider: a detailed food tour through a region, touring both the Guinness Factory and Jameson Distillery, dining in a Michelin Star-rated restaurant or two, and eating out for every meal.

When estimating your trip to Ireland cost on a luxury budget, you’ll want to set aside funds for at least a few unique experiences: think private horseback rides through the countryside, tours of islands, themed tours like Game of Thrones experiences, spa days housed in elaborate castles, and if it’s your hobby of choice, plenty of golf with some of the best views imaginable.

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

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Ireland Family Tours

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10 best Ireland family vacation packages

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Irish Highlights (Winter, 7 Days)

Irish highlights (summer, 7 days), taste of ireland (tour d) - 6 days/5 nights, taste of ireland (tour a) - 7 days/6 nights, focus on ireland (small groups, 7 days), 7-day great atlantic adventure small group tour, irish elegance (classic, 8 days), 5-day spectacular south and west small group tour of ireland, wild south - multi-day - small group tour of ireland, best of ireland (10 days).

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“Super fun & organised. Fi always so helpful with anything...”

• Coach / Bus
• Indulge in a hearty farmhouse feast in County Wicklow
• Enjoy the craic during an Irish pub evening with the group
• Explore harbourside Galway and picturesque Killarney

“The entire trip was wonderful, very well organized, and satisfying.”

“I loved the tour. I felt rushed sometimes as moving hotels so often was a little difficult.”

“Each day was an adventure filled with beautiful scenery, specific destinations and good food.”

• Enjoy bohemian Galway and the rugged sights of Connemara
• Kiss the Blarney Stone and be mesmerised by the Ring of Kerry
• Discover the lunar landscape of the Burren

“Loved the experience and loved what your company gave us!”

• Bask in the spectacular views from Cliffs of Moher
• Journey through the visually stunning Ring of Kerry
• Indulge in stew and listen to Irish music in Galway

“This was our first trip to Ireland, and it was extremely comforting to leave the planning to someone else.”

• Kiss the Blarney Stone and enjoy the sights of the Ring of Kerry
• Kayak with dolphins and hike along the mighty Cliffs of Moher
• Learn of myth and legend in the Emerald Isle

“Pleasantly surprised and extremely happy with the overall tour and service. The private tours and demos we received were outstanding as well.”

• Step back in time and visit the medieval Rock of Cashel
• Capture the dramatic landscapes of Ring of Kerry
• Meet the locals and experience traditional music sessions

“Very well planned. Helpful and accommodations where spectacular.”

• Sightseeing
• Drive along the popular Ring of Kerry and enjoy the views
• Kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence at Blarney Castle
• Go sightseeing in Dublin and admire the Cliffs of Moher

“The trip was fantastic! The optional activities were well rounded with something to appeal to a wide variety of interests.”

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How to Plan the Best Family Trip to Ireland

Vacations are precious. Especially annual family vacations. But it can be a challenge to please everyone, so we have some top tips, recommendations, and essentials to help you organise a trip of a lifetime that suits everybody — from Granny to the tiny tots.

Overland Ireland has created this handy guide to help you plan your ultimate family trip to Ireland. If we inspire you to book with us, take a look at our small group tours of Ireland , our private tours of Ireland , and our custom Ireland tours .

Your family activity holiday in Ireland could be only a few clicks away!

The Ideal Trip to Ireland with Family Means Finding Something for Everyone

Family holidays are no longer just Mom, Dad and 2.5 children. We are seeing groups of all shapes and sizes arranging family adventures in Ireland. We welcome the challenge of creating perfect Ireland family vacations to include grandparents, cousins, in-laws, outlaws and step-families. Every combination is unique and requires special consideration when travelling to the Emerald Isle.

At Overland, we offer such a wide range of experiences we can guarantee that everyone on tour will go home with a massive smile on their faces.

Choosing Family-Focused Accommodation in Ireland

With a small family group, we can arrange the best tried-and-loved local accommodation. We love introducing families to our guesthouse accommodation providers. They are the most welcoming hosts and we can privately book their rooms for your clan. Kids can bunk together while parents have their own private space to unwind after a day of sharing incredible experiences.

But we also stay at fantastic hotels on your family trip to Ireland. We can even put you up in a castle! No matter what the combination is, we’ve got you covered.

Family-friendly Food and Entertainment in Ireland

Food and entertainment is probably one of the best things about a trip to Ireland with family. You can be sure that we have happily done all the tasting and testing to make sure you go to the best places!

Our local guides know all the best eateries, night-time hotspots, traditional pubs, and quirky shops! Ireland has come on leaps and bounds in the gourmet food scene.

You may not come to Ireland for the food but we promise you won’t be disappointed. Everyone and all dietary requirements are catered for. Our guides will give you fantastic recommendations everywhere you go on your family holiday in Ireland.

Create Lasting Memories of Ireland

Family activity holidays in Ireland are all about creating memories. Without the distractions of home life, everyone can focus on having fun, bonding, and creating lifelong memories with each other.

We create an easy pace on tour. We take away the stress of organising locations to visit, rounding up the group each day, chauffeuring everyone to and from experiences, and enlightening them with entertaining stories and Irish history. You can leave all responsibilities at the door and let us whisk you away on a stress-free family tour of Ireland.

Celebrate a Special Occasion in Ireland

We cannot think of a better way to celebrate a special occasion than taking a trip to Ireland with family. Whether a child has just graduated or a grandad has reached a milestone birthday, your nearest and dearest should be close when celebrating life.

Why not plan this occasion together? Your brood can come from the four corners of the world and meet up for unforgettable family adventures in Ireland

Budget for a Family Trip to Ireland

It is important for families to have a budget in mind for their holiday. We are mindful that every family is different, so we tweak itineraries when planning Ireland family vacations.

Our tours typically include more activities and experiences as part of the package than any other tour company in Ireland. For your peace of mind, we strive to avoid hidden costs during your trip. This makes for more enjoyable Ireland family vacations, as there’s no anxiety about unexpected additional expenses.

And while we’re talking money, we always recommend having some cash handy. Ireland is becoming increasingly credit card friendly, and you likely won’t have any issues in the bigger towns and cities.

But in many rural areas, cash is very much still king. We’d hate for you to miss out on a great purchase in a local market or jump in a taxi with a driver who prefers cash, so remember to keep some Euros in your pocket.

Visiting Ireland’s Folk Parks

Visiting our famous interactive folk parks during your Irish adventure is a great way to learn about our history and is very engaging for the smaller people in your group!

Bunratty Castle Folk Park gets great reviews from customers. They even have Medieval and Traditional Irish Banquets on site. These evenings will entertain the whole family with toe-tapping tunes, great food, and wonderful performers!

Ask our team at Overland HQ all about it.

Exciting Experiences on Your Family Activity Holiday in Ireland

The aim when planning the perfect trip to Ireland with family is to make sure everyone is entertained and smiling throughout. All our experiences can be enjoyed at your own pace and are mostly suited for young and old alike.

We love how family members surprise us when we organise a group activity. Mum becomes more daring when challenged by the kids, while Dad shows his clumsy side. Granny and Grandad can even dive into the action, or take part as a happy bystander or chief photographer! Our motto is that it’s your holiday and you should do it your way!

When choosing experiences and activities for Ireland family vacations, we focus on the things you won’t get at home, that are both challenging and fun, and, most importantly, inclusive of the entire group.

Before you come, send us everyone’s bucket list. We will schedule it all into the itinerary, even if it is burying Dad in the sand or getting a giant ice cream cone!

We will make sure it is the best beach and the most delicious cone Ireland has to offer.

Ireland’s Best Hiking & Walking Destinations For Families 

Let one of our local guides take you on a breathtaking hike or a historical walk on your tour of Ireland. Barry in Kinsale will enrapture you with tales from this celebrated harbour town, a local legend in County Clare will take you on a mind-blowing hike across the Cliffs of Moher with the waves crashing 100 metres beneath, and on to the hometown of traditional Irish music – Doolin.

There are hundreds of coastal and discovery trails. Overland Ireland takes guests off the beaten track to add some excitement and mystery to a simple amble or more challenging hike, making our tours perfect for family activity holidays in Ireland.

Everyone can take these experiences at their own pace! It is your vacation and we want you to do it your way! You can even top off your trip of a lifetime by taking on Croagh Patrick Mountain – named after the man who is responsible for St Patrick’s Day and painting the town green around the world every March 17th.

Planning for Travel Time in Ireland

On an Overland Ireland family tour, we keep travel time to a minimum. Ireland is a fairly compact country and you can cover a lot of ground in a short space of time. Because we have small groups, we can go off the beaten track and every day is an epic adventure discovering the nooks and crannies of this wonderful land.

Families appreciate the short distances when travelling with younger kids. They want to be in the great outdoors and we love showing them all the hidden gems.

Ireland’s Family-Friendly Festivals 

If you are lucky enough to coordinate your holiday at the same time as one of our festivals, you and your family are in for a treat! There are so many to choose from. Visit Galway for the Arts, Horse Racing, or Oyster festivals.

Get yourself giggling at the Kilkenny Cat Laughs Festival or go to any town on St Patrick’s Day to celebrate the most Irish Day of the year! Halloween is a big celebration here.

This holiday originated in Ireland as a pagan festival called Samhain to mark the harvest season and to ward off evil spirits! The Macnas Halloween Parade is a sight to behold in Galway and Dublin during the October break.

So all you have to do to plan your perfect family trip to Ireland is decide who’s coming and get in touch . Ask us to create an incredible itinerary, especially for you!

Planning on visiting Ireland soon? Get our free guides! We answer your Ireland Travel FAQs + offer local tips for visiting Dublin.

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Calls to 'overhaul' Ireland's housing policy to help children out of homelessness

There have been calls to "overhaul" the Government’s housing policy to help keep children out of homelessness .

Erene Williamson, head of Homeless Services for Ireland with the Salvation Army, said the root cause of family homelessness is due to a rise in the cost of living along with lack of social and affordable housing.

Ms Williamson was speaking at an event to officially open Houben House in south Dublin , a facility run by The Salvation Army which accommodates 350 people.

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Houben House, which first opened its doors in June 2020, started with four units which had grown to 62 units by the end of last year.

Ms Williamson said that families living at the hub are from all different types of backgrounds with diverse needs.

She added: "I think we need a real systemic approach, a real overhaul to housing policy in Dublin, because ultimately, what we need is for Government to be providing more affordable and really appropriate homes for people to live in.

"Generally, we’re finding the root cause of family homelessness is due to the increased cost of living, the lack of social and affordable housing, and that’s why they’re having to stay in this emergency accommodation in the interim.

"They come to us from all different backgrounds and with very diverse needs as well.

"We do face a little bit of a blockage in the system. That said, we do have families that move on from here, perhaps not at the rate that you would expect it to be, or want it to be, but there is still a move on.

"Our staff work very hard with local housing agencies, landlords, local councils to try and support families to move on in an area that is suitable for them, because we obviously want them to remain within their network of support, particularly with children in schools.

"We don’t want to have that traumatic change of having to move to a different community. There is a bit of a blockage in this service, we cater for large families, and that is generally where the main blockage is, is trying to find appropriate and large enough homes for families that are beyond three or four people."

Andra Calauz, her husband and their seven children have been living at the facility for four years.

The 27-year-old had been living in a house in Finglas but had to move out of the property.

Ms Calauz, who is from Romania, said she feels like her family’s life is on hold and that she cannot plan for their future.

She has lived in Ireland for around 10 years.

She said: "When I first got here, I felt upset as I had to move out of our home and move into one room.

"Now, we are happy here and my children are happy here. But for me, it’s a little bit hard because we have to share a kitchen and keep all my things separate so cooking is hard.

"It’s hard to live in one room because I have a new baby and if she cries, my children wake up in all the hours.

"The staff here are lovely and very nice and it has helped me. I like here, but I want a home to live in. I can’t stay here much longer.

"We are on a waiting list for a house, but I’m told that it’s hard to get a house as I have more children.

"I’m told I’ve to keep waiting. I want to stay here (in Ireland) and want to have a good life.

"My girls have friends here and are settled and happy."

Dr Niall Muldoon, the Ombudsman for Children, said the Government has broken its promises on delivering social housing, which has had a huge impact on children and families becoming homeless.

He said: "Over the last 10 years, we have had promises from the various different governments. Back in 2016, there was a promise at that stage that by 2021 we would have 47,000 social housing units in place. We are nowhere near that.

"We were also promised at that stage that there would be much more mixed and integrated developments so that social housing would be part of every community.

"That hasn’t happened either.

"We are really looking at a situation where children are facing a traumatic experience of homelessness through the failures of successive governments to reach their own targets, targets that they said they could make and fund and targets they said they could plan for.

"They are consistently failing and that leaves children with real traumatic experience in their life.

"In 2018, Leo Varadkar said that the first five years of a child’s life is crucial for their development and there’s children in this family hub who have been here for four years and it really interferes with how they develop, how they grow, how they experience themselves and their developmental milestones, their physical health, their education. Everything is interfered with.

"It’s difficult to come back from that, it’s not impossible, but what we are seeing is the traumatic breach of their rights which is leading to long-term implications."

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How to Plan a Family Trip to Ireland

After inhaling The Land of Stories, Chris Colfer’s children’s series about twins who slip into a fairyland where Red Riding Hood has her own kingdom and Mother Goose is a babysitter, my 12-year-old daughter Brette made a request: Could Ireland top the list for our annual summer trip? Its picturesque landscape—castles on craggy cliffs, mossy woodlands potentially enchanted by sprites and trolls—was the stuff of fantasy fiction. To her credit, she broadened the appeal to really land the pitch: “Mom, I looked and there are fancy hotels.” Those family members entrenched in reality, my husband and 16-year-old daughter, ratified the proposition. It helped that the mystical land of Yeats, James Joyce, U2, and spectacular bacon-infused breakfasts was made even more appealing by affordable fares on Aer Lingus .

Our summer tradition is to take lengthy vacations that often make no sense on paper. Instead of being driven by what's nearby, our choices are guided by new experiences—often offbeat—and the goal of getting the kids to 21 countries by the time they are 21 years old. It starts with brainstorming in October (" Venice is sinking —we need to go!" "Hiking in Switzerland sounds fun—I read that you can have lunch in an alpine hut and swim in green rivers of glacial water." "Where are the San Juan Islands ? You can kayak with Orcas there!") By late December, we have enough of a framework to book flights (during the year, we stockpile credit card points and airline miles to apply toward plane tickets), and then we fill in the blanks along the way.

Here’s the kicker: The kids are our designated tour guides. To prep, they have to plot out the itinerary on a map—an actual paper map!—and complete Mom-made worksheets that require investigation into local cuisine, attractions, regional peculiarities (like later dinner times in France and Italy, and seafood for breakfast in Scandinavia), and the designated region’s historical significance. Sure, the research produces eye-rolls and teen-sized groans. But the prep work is non-negotiable and delivers a quantifiable payoff: nods of recognition and appreciation for real-life contact with a landmark or experience baked into the master itinerary.

For Ireland, the focus was Dublin and a country estate in the Midlands. Here's how our itinerary looked:

Family-friendly activities are almost all just a short walk from the city center—near St. Stephen’s Green, up to Temple Bar, and over to Trinity College—so we made it our goal to stay in the middle of it all.

Stay: The Merrion

As Brette predicted, this glamorous hotel —four restored Georgian townhouses with an exquisite interior garden and crowd-pleasing 60-foot swimming pool—was the perfect perch.

Not to be missed: the Art Tea, served in the grand drawing room, which riffs on the hotel’s extensive collection of 19th- and 20th-century Irish paintings. Whimsical pastries (like an abstract Madonna and Child by Mainie Jellett interpreted as a pouf of passion fruit and orange cheesecake encircled by cubist-style white chocolate panels) are displayed alongside mini cards of the paintings, plus tiered platters of traditional Irish sandwiches, scones, and Battenberg cake, a colorful checkerboard sponge cake.

Herd of wild deer grazing in the Phoenix Park.

Phoenix Park

On top of exploring the medieval tower-house of Ashtown Castle and the Dublin Zoo, catching sight of the resident fallow deer is the draw at this 1,700-acre walled park, a former royal hunting ground. “The deer remind me of the Patronus Charm in Harry Potter,” said Brette, referring to the silver doe conjured by Severus Snape. According to Irish lore, the bush-like hawthorn trees on the park perimeter are where the fairies meet.

Dublin Castle

Originally created as a Viking fortress, this 13th-century castle (with additions in later centuries) has functioned as a prison, treasury, court of law, and royal residence. Its vibe—part Hogwarts, part Beauty and the Beast (post-curse) palace—is fully appreciated after a visit to the elaborate state apartments that are still used for state functions.

Old-School Book Shops

With Dublin’s rich literary heritage, it’s no surprise that independent book shops abound. We popped in to a few—The Winding Stair, The Village Bookshop, The Gutter Bookshop—each buying a book by an Irish artist. Brette picked Spellbook of The Lost and Found , a tale of magic and friendship by Moira Fowley-Doyle; Doyle and I scooped up Nora Webster by Colm Tóibín, who also authored Brooklyn , the book behind the recent film starring Saoirse Ronan.

A morning spent with Context Travel investigating the historic nooks and cobblestoned crannies with a local expert. A family favorite is the group's 2.5-hour Book of Kells tour, exploring the history of the ninth-century manuscript with a visit to Trinity College's Old Library and the National Museum of Ireland. I opted for a custom tour—also a 2.5-hour experience—to incorporate historic and literary sightseeing (visiting Oscar Wilde’s home and a few James Joyce haunts) as well as food experiences, like trying Durrus Ógb cheese and soda bread.

My husband picks a sporting activity for most places we visit (baseball in Tokyo, soccer in London, hockey in Sweden). In Dublin, it was hurling , a gladiatorial form of field hockey played with a wooden stick and small ball. Attending a match makes for a thrilling family activity.

Playing lords and ladies at Ballyfin.

BALLYFIN ESTATE, CO. LAOIS

Next up? Ballyfin, the Regency mansion of Sir Charles and Lady Caroline Coote turned 20-room hotel on 614 acres of parkland and wildlife-filled ancient woods. The kids channeled their inner aristocrat by horseback riding, trekking through the demesne, interacting with eagles, hawks, and owls during a falconry session, boating, fishing, picnicking alongside the property’s lake, and playing croquet on the meadow. Kid-sanctioned highlights: an Agatha Christie–style secret door hidden in the bookcase of the library; a Roman-looking grotto “folly”; and a fantastic dress-up experience where guests pluck period costumes from a selection culled from the Lyric Opera of Chicago and sport them a la Downton Abbey throughout the evening.

A morning at the nearby Slieve Bloom Mountains to hike and visit Birr Castle, pictured, an Anglo-Norman fortress (celebrated for formal gardens and a landscape of rare trees and plants) still used as a private residence by the Earls of Rosse.

Recommended

The Morrison Dublin, Curio Collection by Hilton

The Merrion

Dublin Travel Guide

Packing list.

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Ireland family vacations

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Explore Ireland with us on this family vacation which includes a combination of our favourite family hotels and an unforgettable overnight family stay in the 5* Dromoland Castle

Ireland with Kids – 5 Star Castle Adventure

This package includes seven nights’ in Adare’s most family friendly hotel and on booking your package with us you will receive a comprehensive tour pack which will include several day tours that you may choose to take from this historic location. .

Ireland with Kids - Adare

Ballycotton Bay in East Cork is your base location for this Ireland Family Vacation. With a rich maritime and historical heritage, East Cork has a unique variety of attractions to offer the discerning family.

Ireland with Kids - Ballycotton 7 Nights

For this Irish Tourism family vacation we have chosen Dingle as your base location. The Dingle Peninsula offers some of Ireland’s most stunning scenery from the towering Brandon Mountains to the spectacular seascapes of Dingle Bay.

Ireland with Kids - Dingle 7 Nights

Kilkenny is famous for its medieval building and castle. The atmosphere and character of this unique city makes it a great base for touring Ireland with kids.

Ireland with Kids - Kilkenny

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It is a little known secret that Ireland is one of the best family vacation destinations around. Your kids will love to climb to the top of our many round towers, visualise fairy’s gathering at some of our famous Stone Age forts and imagining themselves as lords and ladies in our magnificent authentic castles. In other countries historic landmarks continue to be off limits to inquisitive travellers but the ancient buildings and monuments of Ireland are just waiting to be explored. Your family vacation in Ireland is not just about historical landmarks however. Our national parks encompassing hundreds of kilometres of natural woodland, diverse ecology and serene freshwater lakes can be found in Connemara and Kerry and along Ireland’s coastline your family will discover miles and miles of pristine sandy beaches where activities include surfing and horse-riding.

The beauty of our family vacations is that they are ‘one-centred’ and set up in a way that you would just collect our family car rental, drive to your family hotel and check-in for your entire vacation. When you book your family vacation with us you will get an extensive touring pack which will include several day tours which you can take from your base location. You can chose to do all of the day tours, some of them or your family may choose instead to enjoy your hotel and its surroundings. The hotels we have selected for these packages are all family orientated with facilities for kids such as kids club, kids playground and games rooms and facilities for adults including spa treatment rooms and traditional Irish pubs with frequent live music.

We realise that it can be difficult for families to move from hotel to hotel so these tours are ‘one-centred’ (or multi centred if that is your preference) and designed in such a way as you would just pick up your rental car, drive to your hotel location and check in for the duration of your vacation. When you book your tour with us you will get a comprehensive tour pack which will include several day tours that you can chose to take from your base location.

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Enchanting Ireland

Enjoy radiant Paris and the Renaissance romance of Florence, dramatic Alpine landscapes and the Eternal City of Rome where you'll toss a coin in the Trevi Fountatin to secure your swift return.

Let the luck of the Irish be with you on this guided tour celebrating Ireland’s nature and history. Dine inside Dublin’s Irish Emigration Museum, indulge your curiosities at Kylemore Abbey and stand atop the towering Cliffs of Moher. A MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience seaweed foraging walk reveals a landscape that has inspired artists and writers while visits to iconic Blarney Castle and Kilkenny Castle gets you up close and personal with Ireland’s history.

Our prices start from

8 Days • GUIDED • 10 Meals

The Details

• 7 nights accommodation
• Services of a travel director
• All on-tour transportations and related fees
• Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
• Airport transfers at specified times on arrival and departure days
• 7 breakfasts, 3 dinners

Engaging Experiences  These special places and experiences are considered tour highlights. Look for them in the daily itineraries.

Camden Court Hotel

A modern multi-cultural city that embraces its past and exudes an enduring sense of fun, the 'Emerald Isle' has lured the most curious of travelers for centuries. Your Local Expert reveals the best of the city on a guided tour past the Georgian Squares and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Delicious cuisine and history merge this evening over drinks and canapes at EPIC - The Irish Emigration Museum where you’ll discover the stories of Irish emigrants who became scientists, politicians, poets, artists and even outlaws all over the world.

Sligo Park Hotel

Breakfast, Dinner Included

The beauty of an Irish country house springs to life at Strokestown Park House and Gardens. After soaking in its beauty, go from grand homes to history visiting the onsite Irish Famine Museum to delve into the stories of the 1840s famine. Learn the history behind the Irish Potato Famine, the most catastrophic event in Ireland and one of the worst famines in history. View rare 19th-century photographs, witness accounts, sketches, newspapers and maps before continuing to Sligo. In the evening, consider an optional cruise on the River Shannon and admire the rolling countryside of the emerald isle.

Connemara Coast Hotel

Breakfast Included

The seaside town of Westport on Ireland’s west coast will charm any traveler. Your Local Expert leads you on a walk to learn about the town's heritage – from its settlement 5,000 years ago to today. Continue to indulge your curiosity at Kylemore Abbey, a treasure trove of picture-perfect scenery and the oldest of the Irish Benedictine Abbeys. You could enhance your day with an Optional Experience, a Galway Walking Tour featuring the Lynch Memorial Window, Church of St. Nicholas, Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late US President, John F. Kennedy. You’ll love hearing intriguing stories of this bustling medieval port followed by a traditional Irish pub dinner.

International Hotel Killarney

Embark on an up close and personal encounter with Ireland's nature at the towering Cliffs of Moher. Perched at 700-feet, take in views of the Clare Coast and the pounding Atlantic. Gain insights into the cliffs’ geology and history before crossing the Shannon Estuary by ferry from Killimer to Tarbet. Head to Killarney where you’ll relive the highlights of the day over a Dine-Around evening of local cuisine. You also have your pick of Optional Experiences including a Celtic Steps performance or a Gaelic Roots show of song and dance.

Famous for its 'forty shades of green,' the Irish nature at the Ring of Kerry has inspired writers and poets for centuries. Drink in the beauty of the coastal drive lined with beaches, colorful seaside villages and views of the Atlantic Ocean. On an insightful MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, meet John, a seaweed advocate and educator for a seaweed foraging walk. Embrace the landscape that has inspired poets, artists and writers.

With Brendan Choice choose to explore one of the icons of Ireland, Blarney Castle, the Witch's Kitchen and Wishing Steps gardens and, of course, the infamous stone – said to bestow the 'gift of the gab' upon whoever kisses it. Or, don’t miss your chance to amble the 1,500-acre grounds including the raised board walk, surrounded by water loving plants and waterfalls. The Carnivorous Courtyard features plants that with colorful, fluid-filled leaves while the Fern Garden features trees brought from the other side of the world that are survivors of the Jurassic period.

12th-century Kilkenny Castle is full of curiosities dating back to when it was the principal seat of the butlers, earls, marquesses and dukes of Ormond. On your exploration of its vast parkland, learn how the castle was remodelled in the Victorian style and restored and updated several times before being formally taken over by the Irish State in 1969. Return to Dublin and finish your incredible tour with a memorable dinner at a traditional Irish pub.

It’s time to close the chapter on an unforgettable tour of the Emerald Isle. We bid our newfound friends and Travel Director a fond farewell. Departure Transfer Arrive at the airport at 07:00, 09:00, 11:00

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Politics latest: Fears of 'all-out war' as foreign secretary heads to Israel for talks

David Lammy is heading to Israel for talks with senior ministers as the foreign secretary looks to help prevent "an all-out war" in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the Tories take credit for positive economic news - but A-level results day brings universities' financial strife to the fore.

Thursday 15 August 2024 22:35, UK

• Foreign secretary heading to Israel amid fears of 'all-out war'
• Chancellor 'fuming' at positive economic data, claim Tories
• Analysis: A good week the government can't take credit for
• Ukraine allowed to use British weapons in Russia | Follow war live
• Universities told they must 'manage budgets' | Results day catch-up
• Listen: Can universities make their sums work?
• Analysis: Politics at heart of fundamental threat facing universities

Things you might have missed

• Listen: How well did PM handle riots? | What's next for economy?
• Analysis: As support plummets, can Farage have his cake and eat it?
• Explained: Why it's so quiet in UK politics | What does 'two-tier policing' mean - and does it exist? | Robert Jenrick and the Allahu Akbar row

With those details in our previous post of David Lammy's imminent Middle East visit, notably to Israel, we're bringing the Politics Hub to a close for the time being.

Be sure to scroll back through the Hub to catch up on what was a busy day both domestically and internationally for British ministers.

We had a significant update on how the economy's doing, A-level results day was somewhat marred by fears about the future of our universities, confirmation reached us of Ukraine using British tanks in Russia, and we had that news of the foreign secretary heading to Israel.

Thanks for joining us - and we'll see you next time.

More details of the foreign secretary's trip to Israel have been released.

The Foreign Office has announced David Lammy will be heading to the Middle East with his French counterpart Stephane Sejourne in what is the first joint UK-France visit in more than a decade.

They will meet Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz and strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer, though there is no confirmation of whether they will also speak with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A diplomatic source told Sky News earlier today Mr Lammy's main objective was to try to prevent "all-out war" in the Middle East, and we understand a meeting with the Israeli leader is expected too ( see 16.27 post ).

It comes amid fears of an Iranian attack on Israel, possibly carried out with the help of Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Iran has warned of a response following the killing of Hamas's leader in Tehran last month.

Mr Lammy and Mr Sejourne will call for calm and also for a ceasefire in Gaza, with talks on that having begun in Qatar today.

Mr Lammy said it was a "dangerous moment" for the region and "all parties must engage seriously in negotiations".

By Alix Culbertson , political reporter

People living in areas at the highest risk of flooding face cuts to key services due to a sharp rise in flood defence costs, councils have warned.

The government is being urged to overhaul funding for the bodies overseeing flood alleviation as soaring costs have seen an average rise of 28% over the past two years, according to data from the District Councils' Network, which represents 169 English councils.

Higher energy and fuel prices - needed for pumping stations - increasingly extreme wet weather and wage increases are the main causes of the cost of flood defences being pushed up for the current 2024/25 financial year.

By Deborah Haynes , security and defence editor

Ukrainian troops have used British Challenger 2 tanks in their offensive inside Russia, Sky News understands.

It is believed to be the first time British tanks - operated by Ukrainian soldiers - have been used in combat on Russian territory.

The Ministry of Defence in London declined to comment on operational detail, but did tell Sky News there has been no change in policy.

Ukraine's armed forces did not offer a comment.

According to government policy, the UK has confirmed Ukraine is free to use British weapons on Russian territory.

A source said this included Challenger 2 tanks and signalled that they had been used during the Ukrainian incursion, which began on 6 August.

On what was A-level results day, the education secretary was asked about the controversial prospect of raising tuition fees as many universities grapple with serious financial challenges.

Our business correspondent Paul Kelso   says the picture across the sector right now is pretty negative.

And that's because, anecdotally at least, there's been a 30% fall in how many overseas students are applying for British universities.

 " That matters because overseas students underwrite the British university system," says Paul. "They may make up about 26% of the academic population, but provide 46% of the fees."

So why the drop in applications? Britain's top universities have long been extremely popular with international students.

Paul says the sector thinks it's being driven largely by visa rule changes the previous government introduced, which include preventing foreign students from bringing family members with them.

It was a bid by Rishi Sunak to bring down levels of immigration.

The change and subsequent drop in applicants "poses a fundamental threat to the financial health of the university sector", says Paul.

"Domestic fees simply do not cover the cost".

The Sky News Daily podcast looked into this further - watch a clip below and find the full episode at the top of this page.

As students receive their A-level results, many of the universities they'll enrol in are facing their own concerns.

Academics have warned years of underfunding and a lack of lucrative international students at British universities after visa changes risk the sector's ability to provide top-class education and, for some institutions, whether they'll be able to keep teaching at all.  

On this episode, Niall Paterson is joined by two university vice-chancellors, Professor Jane Harrington at Greenwich and Professor David Maguire at East Anglia, to hear the realities and challenges faced by universities across the country.  

Plus, our business correspondent Paul Kelso explains why higher education is facing the crisis it's in now. 

👉 Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts 👈        

The Scottish first minster held talks with the deputy prime minister in Edinburgh today - and had a bone to pick.

John Swinney raised the UK government's decision to begin means testing the winter fuel payment, which means only those eligible for existing benefits will still receive it.

The SNP administration at Holyrood said yesterday it would have to adopt the same policy because the controversial move had left it with a £160m gap in spending power.

Mr Swinney has conceded it will impact "tens of thousands" of pensioners and "expressed concern" with Angela Rayner today.

He also reiterated his desire for an "injection of investment" in the country's public services.

But he's still hoping for a more positive relationship with the Labour government than his party had with the Tories, working together on "shared priorities" such as reaching net zero.

By Darren McCaffrey, political correspondent 

Make no two bones about it – it has been a good week on the economic news front.

Today's stellar GDP growth figures at 0.6% are in line with expectation but are also a reflection of a strong year of growth, with the UK the fastest growing in the G7 this year - although it has lagged slightly behind the US in Q2.

This - coupled with falling unemployment, wage growth and pretty stable inflation (listen to the podcast on this in the previous post) - means the macroeconomic situation has not looked this good in years.

Normally the government would be crowing from the rooftops about such good news.

Instead, the Treasury this morning continues to talk about the "scale of challenges" and being determined "to fix the foundations".

Why? Because they want to stop the Conservatives - who are unsurprisingly very frustrated - from being able to claim the last government left the country in a good state.

Politically, this is important for Labour – part of a wider strategy to thrash the Tory record, while cementing future credit for economic good news.

Despite the attempt to shape narratives, in the end voters will only really thank Labour if this stellar economic growth continues.

Inflation is up for the first time this year.   

Prices went up by 2.2% in the year to July – moving the rate above the Bank of England target of 2%.  

Experts had expected an up tick as energy prices are falling by less than they did a year ago, and the increase doesn't seem to change hope for further interest rate cuts in the months to come.

But what else can we expect from the economy this autumn as the new government continues to warn about the "challenges" it's inherited, and as the chancellor prepares her first budget in October?

Joining Niall Paterson  is our business correspondent Paul Kelso and political correspondent Darren McCaffrey . 

👉 Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts 👈       

It's time for your evening bulletin from the Politics Hub - summing up the main things you need to know today:

• The foreign secretary , David Lammy, is heading to Israel for talks with the country's prime minister;
• A source described the meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu as "an attempt to prevent all-out war" in the Middle East , amid fears of an Iranian attack on Israel and talks over a ceasefire in Gaza;
• Mr Lammy described it as a "crucial moment for global security" .
• Sticking with foreign policy, and the Ministry of Defence has said it's  happy for Ukraine to be using British weapons inside Russia ;
• Sky News understands tanks supplied by the UK are also being deployed across the border  during Kyiv's surprise incursion.
• On the domestic front,  the Tories claim the chancellor will be "fuming"  after new figures showed  Britain's economy grew during the previous quarter ;
• Rachel Reeves has repeatedly bemoaned the government's economic inheritance from Rishi Sunak's administration, but  GDP is up 0.6% - higher than other major European countries ;
• And on A-level results day , the education secretary told Sky News it would be  "unpalatable" to raise tuition fees  despite the financial challenges facing Britain's universities.

That's all for now - we'll bring you any further political news and analysis over the next few hours.

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