The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro and Northern Ireland uses the British Pound. Major credit cards are accepted in both countries. They utilize the “Chip and Pin” on credit cards, but will also swipe cards if you do not have a chip and pin card. Remember to let your bank or credit cards know that you will be traveling they will ask for you to provide them with the dates and countries you will visit.
If you rent a car remember they drive on the left side of the road. At the Dublin airport they let us drive behind the rental car area for a bit so we could get the feel of the car. It is basically an open lot that has a lot of “junk” in it, but it was a wise thing to get the feel for the car before hitting the road.
I did not need a power transformer or converter, however if you plan to plug in any electronic devices you will need an adaptor. Many hotels will have ones you can use if necessary. My laptop, Iphone and battery chargers for my camera are all able to accept different voltages. If yours does you will just need an adapter. If you have an item that will only work on US voltage you will need to have a transformer.
Ireland is “chilly” when I was there at the end of May I was very happy that I had a pair of jeans and a spring jacket with. There are a few days that I wish I had a sweatshirt with.
Dublin
I was in a hotel near the Ha’ Penny Bridge, this is an older part of Dublin and close to Trinity College and the Book of Kells. Also nearby is Temple Bar a nice walk to the Jamison Distillery tour. In Dublin I would suggest the Hop on Hop off bus tour. If you plan to visit Guinness, I would highly suggest purchasing a ticket before you get to the Storehouse. When I was there the line was well over a block long and then there was a cue inside the building. Because I had a purchased a ticket before I got there, I was able to walk in. They also have a “class” as part of the tour where you learn how to pour the “Perfect Pint” of Guinness.
Brazen Head is the oldest pub in Ireland, the food was good and is a fun building to go and see. The inside of Brazen Head does not have the best lighting.
Temple Bar is the “famous” bar that is the bar that everyone wants to go to when they are in Dublin. It was packed when I was there, I walked in and out to say I was there. Down the street (on Temple Street) is a restaurant called Gallaghers Boxty House, the Boxtys are good along with the Irish Stew.
Queenstown or Cobh
Was the last stop of the Titanic before it sank. They have a nice museum that was very interesting. This is a beautiful costal town.
Cork
This is the city I loved! It is a smaller town and considered more of an arts and college town. I was only there for one night but wish I could have spent one more day there. There is a restaurant/bar there called Oliver Plunkett, that has some great food (burgers). During my dinner there I heard loud bangs, much to my surprise upstairs was a live Irish band with Irish Dancers. It was a lot of fun and made for a great evening. Cork is also a beautiful city to walk, beautiful Churches that are the skyline of this city.
Killarney
Killarney is another beautiful town. I stayed at the Malton Hotel and would love to stay there again. The consider at the hotel was great and she was knowledgeable of the area.
Killarney is often used as the starting point to the “Ring of Kerry” There are tour buses you can get on or if you have a car it is a good drive that will last all day if you make some stops. If you start going to the north one of the first stops is a little historic Irish Village. It was fun to see the historic homes and was able to get my first smell of Irish Peat burning in a fireplace. They also have traditional Irish Coffee for sale.
On the drive you will also enter into a city called Waterville, this was one of Charlie Chaplin’s favorite holiday spots. The Charlie Chaplin museum is nothing to see.
You will also be able to see an Island west of Iveragh Peninsula called Skellig Michael, this is the Island where they filmed part of Star Wars and is home of the Puffins bird.
The Muckross House was also a beautiful stop for a break. Even if you do not go into the house, the grounds are beautiful.
This is a beautiful drive and a must do, it is a long day but well worth the time.
In Killarney if you have time and want to see/hear Celtic Music and dancing go to see Celtic Steps. This was the best show that I saw when I was there. Because I was on a tour I did not have a car, the Concierge at the Malton hotel called to see if there was room on the bus. Unfortunately, the bus was full but she then called a member of the band and he came to get me at the hotel on his way to the show.
If you want to purchase an “Irish Sweater” there is a great store here that has tons of them, it is called the Aran Sweater Market.
Eneskillen
Eneskillen is located in Northern Ireland and is a beautiful lake town with rolling green hills.
Belfast
I was only in Belfast for a few hours on the way to see Giant’s Causeway. We made a quick stop in Belfast so I could meet my cousin. When I go back I would want to go and visit the Titanic Museum. I would also like to take some time to walk past the ship yard where the Titanic was built.
Other places I want to visit in Ireland
Waterford- home of Waterford Crystal
Belleek Pottery
Cliffs of Moore
If you rent a car remember they drive on the left side of the road. At the Dublin airport they let us drive behind the rental car area for a bit so we could get the feel of the car. It is basically an open lot that has a lot of “junk” in it, but it was a wise thing to get the feel for the car before hitting the road.
I did not need a power transformer or converter, however if you plan to plug in any electronic devices you will need an adaptor. Many hotels will have ones you can use if necessary. My laptop, Iphone and battery chargers for my camera are all able to accept different voltages. If yours does you will just need an adapter. If you have an item that will only work on US voltage you will need to have a transformer.
Ireland is “chilly” when I was there at the end of May I was very happy that I had a pair of jeans and a spring jacket with. There are a few days that I wish I had a sweatshirt with.
Dublin
I was in a hotel near the Ha’ Penny Bridge, this is an older part of Dublin and close to Trinity College and the Book of Kells. Also nearby is Temple Bar a nice walk to the Jamison Distillery tour. In Dublin I would suggest the Hop on Hop off bus tour. If you plan to visit Guinness, I would highly suggest purchasing a ticket before you get to the Storehouse. When I was there the line was well over a block long and then there was a cue inside the building. Because I had a purchased a ticket before I got there, I was able to walk in. They also have a “class” as part of the tour where you learn how to pour the “Perfect Pint” of Guinness.
Brazen Head is the oldest pub in Ireland, the food was good and is a fun building to go and see. The inside of Brazen Head does not have the best lighting.
Temple Bar is the “famous” bar that is the bar that everyone wants to go to when they are in Dublin. It was packed when I was there, I walked in and out to say I was there. Down the street (on Temple Street) is a restaurant called Gallaghers Boxty House, the Boxtys are good along with the Irish Stew.
Queenstown or Cobh
Was the last stop of the Titanic before it sank. They have a nice museum that was very interesting. This is a beautiful costal town.
Cork
This is the city I loved! It is a smaller town and considered more of an arts and college town. I was only there for one night but wish I could have spent one more day there. There is a restaurant/bar there called Oliver Plunkett, that has some great food (burgers). During my dinner there I heard loud bangs, much to my surprise upstairs was a live Irish band with Irish Dancers. It was a lot of fun and made for a great evening. Cork is also a beautiful city to walk, beautiful Churches that are the skyline of this city.
Killarney
Killarney is another beautiful town. I stayed at the Malton Hotel and would love to stay there again. The consider at the hotel was great and she was knowledgeable of the area.
Killarney is often used as the starting point to the “Ring of Kerry” There are tour buses you can get on or if you have a car it is a good drive that will last all day if you make some stops. If you start going to the north one of the first stops is a little historic Irish Village. It was fun to see the historic homes and was able to get my first smell of Irish Peat burning in a fireplace. They also have traditional Irish Coffee for sale.
On the drive you will also enter into a city called Waterville, this was one of Charlie Chaplin’s favorite holiday spots. The Charlie Chaplin museum is nothing to see.
You will also be able to see an Island west of Iveragh Peninsula called Skellig Michael, this is the Island where they filmed part of Star Wars and is home of the Puffins bird.
The Muckross House was also a beautiful stop for a break. Even if you do not go into the house, the grounds are beautiful.
This is a beautiful drive and a must do, it is a long day but well worth the time.
In Killarney if you have time and want to see/hear Celtic Music and dancing go to see Celtic Steps. This was the best show that I saw when I was there. Because I was on a tour I did not have a car, the Concierge at the Malton hotel called to see if there was room on the bus. Unfortunately, the bus was full but she then called a member of the band and he came to get me at the hotel on his way to the show.
If you want to purchase an “Irish Sweater” there is a great store here that has tons of them, it is called the Aran Sweater Market.
Eneskillen
Eneskillen is located in Northern Ireland and is a beautiful lake town with rolling green hills.
Belfast
I was only in Belfast for a few hours on the way to see Giant’s Causeway. We made a quick stop in Belfast so I could meet my cousin. When I go back I would want to go and visit the Titanic Museum. I would also like to take some time to walk past the ship yard where the Titanic was built.
Other places I want to visit in Ireland
Waterford- home of Waterford Crystal
Belleek Pottery
Cliffs of Moore