Last updated on February 18th, 2025 at 02:53 pm
Are you visiting Ireland for the first time and searching Google for the best travel tips to fit in like a local? Good news, because we have you covered with these essential must-know dos and don’ts for visiting Ireland.
To ensure an unforgettable experience, follow these simple travel tips for Ireland, (from two Irish experts). By doing so, you’ll not only make the most of your Ireland trip but also earn the respect and appreciation of the Irish people
Let’s get straight into our must-know dos and don’ts for visiting Ireland.
Dos and Don’ts for Visiting Ireland: The “Dos”
We advise you to embrace the following dos and don’ts for visiting Ireland with an adventurous, open-mind and of course, a sense of humor.
✅Do Embrace Irish Hospitality: Ireland is known for its friendliness and hospitality. Don’t be shocked when a stranger strikes up a conversation with you. This is everyday life in Ireland and part of the Irish charm.
Irish people love a good chat and even expect the odd hug – don’t panic, this is also normal!
✅Do try to engage in “Craic”: The Irish word “craic” (pronounced “crack”) means fun and entertainment. This can be a bit of banter, a joke, singing, dancing, and basically anything fun Everywhere in Ireland in pubs, shops, streets, and even in the middle of nowhere, you will come across lots of “craic”.
Ireland travel tip: you won’t have to search for long!
✅Do Try Your Hand at the Irish Language: Next up on our list of dos and don’ts for visiting Ireland is to learn a few Irish phrases. Even if you butcher them, the Irish will appreciate your effort.
Cheers, “Sláinte” (pronounced as Slawn Che) is always a good one to start with.
Thank you “go raibh maith agat”, (pronounced as gora mah a gut) is a bit trickier, but will definitely impress the Irish person you are talking too.
For more useful and fun Irish words click on the link above.
✅Do Try Local Foods: When visiting Ireland, don’t miss out on traditional Irish dishes like Irish stew, a sandwich of tasty Irish black pudding with HP sauce, Potato and leak soup with freshly baked soda bread with lots of real butter spread onto it, the freshest seafood in the world, a traditional full Irish breakfast, and at the end of a night (and after a few pints) a curried chip from SuperMacs!
✅Do Be Prepared For Irish Weather: One of the most important travel tips for Ireland, is that the Irish weather is famously unpredictable. If it’s sunny one minute and raining the next, don’t be surprised. Just embrace the unpredictability and remember where you are!
✅Do embrace Irish culture. On your Ireland trip, ask about Irish mythology, tales of leprechauns, banshees, and fairies. Additionally, Learn a few traditional Irish blessings like “May the road rise up to meet you” or “May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows you’re dead.”
✅Do explore Ireland By Car: The best way to discover Ireland’s best attractions is by car. Some of the best road trips in the world are in Ireland. Getting to a must-visit site in Ireland is sometimes even better than the attraction itself.
The best way to explore Ireland is by car – Click to get a free quote for Car Rental in Ireland.
✅Do Ask for Directions with a Smile: If you get lost on your Ireland road trip simply ask for directions with a smile and a friendly “Hello.” Irish people will often give you detailed, interesting instructions that might take you on an adventure to hidden gems in Ireland that you didn’t know were in the area.
✅Do Explore Ireland’s Historic Sites: Irish history is Some of the most fascinating in the world, with sites like Newgrange, Drumbeg Stone Circle, and the must-visit attraction Rock of Cashel offering incredible insights into ancient times.
Do visit these historic sites of Ireland, some of these attractions such as Newgrange are even older than the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt proving the remarkable craftsmanship of our Celtic ancestors.
An important travel tip is to purchase your tickets in advance when visiting Ireland. Famous attractions in Ireland such as Kilmainham Jail in Dublin, The Titanic Experience in Belfast, Irelands’ most visited tourist attraction – the Guinness Warehouse, and the megalithic site of Newgrange tend to be booked out well in advance.
Reserve your ticket to Ireland’s #1 attraction now!
*Ireland Travel Tip – Interested in Irish history that dates back thousands of years? then read all about the top 10 Megalithic Sites in Ireland.
✅Do Explore the Irish Countryside: While cities like Dublin and Galway are great to visit for a few days, the Irish countryside offers stunning landscapes and charming small towns such as Kinsale in County Cork and Doolin which is a short distance from the Cliffs of Moher that are worth visiting. Furthermore, there are endless unofficial road trips in Ireland in counties such as Clare, Kerry, Donegal, and Wicklow.
We highly recommend a visit to Kevin’s home county, County Cork, to experience Irish beauty in all its glory. While you’re at it, visit some charming, yet lively, Irish villages in Kate’s home of County Clare.
✅Do Follow Road Rules: This is maybe the most important of travel tips about Ireland. Follow the road rules and remember they drive on the left side of the road in Ireland. Every year there are car accidents due to tourists driving on the wrong side of the road.
The next travel tip for visiting Ireland by car is that the speed limits are given in kilometers, not in miles. When you see a sign showing the speed limit in Ireland, this doesn’t mean you must drive at that speed, it is the allowed maximum speed and not a recommended speed!
Be aware of sheep on the road when driving in Ireland. When we say “road”, we are sometimes talking narrow, winding, grass-in-the-middle-of-the-road kind of roads! Sheep have their own schedules and they’re not in a hurry, just go with it.
When you are driving on country roads in Ireland and a car is right behind you and up your arse, just pull in and let any other drivers pass you until it is clear to move on again! Irish drivers do get impatient sometimes!
Ireland Travel Tip – The best way to explore Ireland’s best attractions such as the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry is by car – click to get a free quote for Car Rental in Ireland. However, if you don’t want to drive yourself, an incredible alternative is to book the perfect Ireland Tour with Brendan Vacations. Sit back, relax, and experience a uniquely tailored trip that is planned, managed, and personally delivered by a passionate team of Celtic Experts.
✅Do Enjoy the Best pubs in the World: The pubs in Ireland are an important cornerstone of Irish culture. Feel free to enjoy a pint of Guinness, a pint of Murphy’s when in County Cork, or try some Irish whiskey such as Jameson, Tullamore, and Bushmills. Remember, it’s about the atmosphere and socializing (the craic!) as much as the drink so prepare with some Irish pub drinking tips.
*Ireland travel tip – The quickest way to make friends in Ireland is to buy a round!
✅Do Find the “Best Guinness”: Guinness is not just a refreshing drink to be savored, but a masterpiece of craftsmanship. To find the best pint of Guinness in Ireland, ask for recommendations, compare notes, and document your findings. It’s a delicious Irish journey!
✅Do Master the Art of the “Irish Nod”: When embracing delicious pints of Guinness, learn the subtle art of the Irish nod – a slight tilt of the head and a knowing smile. We’ll let the video below do the explaining:
✅Do Engage in Friendly Banter: If someone is having a bit of banter with you then do tease back in good humor. Irish people love a bit of playful banter, we refer to this as “slaggin” or a “bit of craic” but remember to keep it friendly, it’s nothing personal, just a bit of a laugh in a good-hearted manner.
✅Do Join in a “Ceilí” Dance: If you find yourself at a traditional Irish dance event, dive in and give it a whirl. Even if you have two left feet, the locals will cheer you on.
✅Do Master the Art of the “Irish Goodbye”: When you want to leave a social gathering, a party, or a pub in Ireland, but the pressure is too high for you to leave because it is too early, then try the classic “Irish goodbye.”
An Irish goodbye is when you quietly slip away without making a fuss. Not only do you avoid all the people that will make you stay for “one more”, but you will also avoid spending an hour saying goodbye to a room full of people.
Don’t worry this is not rude, it’s a subtle art form that even the locals in Ireland appreciate!
*Ireland Travel Tip – If you need some expert inspiration when visiting Ireland for the first time, make sure to check out our ultimate 2-week Ireland road trip.
Dos and Don’ts for Visiting Ireland: The “Don’ts”
How are you finding these Dos and Don’ts for visiting Ireland so far? All pretty straightforward right?
We started off easy with the top dos for visiting Ireland, now let’s get to the serious part – the don’ts when visiting Ireland. This is where lots of first-time visitors to Ireland go wrong and can be met with nothing but awkward silence during encounters with Irish people.
Let us help you with that and show to certain things to avoid doing and saying during your visit to Ireland.
🚫Don’t Overdo the Irish Accent: While it’s fun to try out an Irish accent, don’t overdo it. It can come across as a bit over-the-top, especially if it’s not authentic. No, Irish people do not say “top of the morning” and fiddle dee dee….
🚫Don’t start saying “Potato“: We can put up with bad Irish accents that sometimes sound more Jamaican than Irish. But, what really gets on our nerves is when someone starts saying the word Potato randomly (In a really bad Irish accent) thinking Irish people will find that funny.
Honestly, we guarantee that not one Irish person has ever found this funny, and you will be seen as an annoying and irritating person that nobody will want to engage with.
🚫Don’t say Ireland is part of the UK. Yes, Ireland and the United Kingdom are in the same area of the world, but it is definitely not part of the UK.
It is like saying the United States and Canada are the same country, Australia and New Zealand, the Dutch and German, the list is endless, but you get the drift!
But hang on one minute I hear you saying….Yes, Northern Ireland is part of the UK, and we don’t like that part of Irish history either!
So, allow us to explain briefly. Together, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland make up the Island of Ireland. The Republic is an independent state and part of the EU. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, and some Northern Irish people may refer to themselves as British.
*Ireland Travel tip. Even though Google Maps calls it “Londonderry”. In Ireland, the city is known as Derry., just like the county which is called the same name!
🚫Don’t mention the IRA randomly: The Island of Ireland has experienced a lot of dark history, particularly in Northern Ireland in a period known as “The Troubles.”
It is OK to ask questions and get a better understanding of the troubles and bloodshed that happened in the history of Ireland, but don’t become an IRA enthusiast without having any real knowledge to make yourself sound cool…..
Most Irish people condone the IRA and their activities, and Irish people actually get on with the English. We still like to slag them though and sing rebel songs!
🚫Don’t Try to Outdrink Irish: The Irish people can drink a lot and we are legendary for our drinking ability. Just enjoy the drinks and the craic – Don’t be an eejit!
🚫Don’t Expect to Find a Four-Leaf Clover That Easy: While they’re a symbol of good luck, finding a four-leaf clover is rarer than you might think. But don’t let that stop you from enjoying the beautiful green landscapes in Ireland when searching for one!
Even with a lucky four-leaf clover accidents can still happen…….
Ireland Travel Tip – World Nomads Travel Insurance is our top choice for travel coverage. With the best transparent fine print in the industry, it’s no wonder they’re ranked number one. Don’t leave your adventures to chance and get a free quote today!
🚫Don’t Confuse Irish People with Leprechauns: Please take note of this important Ireland travel tip in our “dos and don’ts for visiting Ireland” list.
Don’t ask Irish people if they have a pot of gold or know any leprechauns personally. It’s a bit clichéd and we’ve heard it all before. Trust us, Irish men and women will not be amused and you will likely be met with a heavy sigh and an eye roll.
🚫Don’t Assume All Irish People Have Red Hair: Like anywhere in the world, Irish people have a variety of hair colors, so avoid making jokes about red hair or freckles. It’s a fun Irish stereotype, but not universally true.
Yes, Kate from Happy Irish Wanderers has red hair and freckles!
Ireland Travel Tip – Start your own Ireland Bucket List today.
🚫Don’t Try to Dance Like Michael Flatley: While Riverdance is amazing to watch, don’t assume you can master Irish dancing instantly. Attempting an Irish dance in public might result in more laughter than applause.
But again, we invite you to give it a go!
🚫Don’t Always Trust Your GPS. When driving in Ireland, it’s highly recommended to use a GPS/Google MAPS to navigate the roads. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that the GPS may not always provide the most efficient or practical route.
In some cases, the GPS may take you off the main road and onto a smaller route, only to bring you back onto the main road a short time later. This can result in a longer and more frustrating journey, even if the GPS claims it’s taking a shorter route.
Always double-check to see where the GPS is actually bringing you. Go over the suggested route and use your own judgment and consider the road conditions, traffic, and other factors before following the GPS’s suggested route.
Take a moment to review the suggested route and consider all factors such as road conditions coming off the main road, and whether it makes sense before following the GPS’s guidance.
🚫Don’t Discuss Politics: Ireland has a complex political history, and discussions can sometimes become heated. It’s best to avoid political topics in Ireland unless you’re with close friends who are comfortable discussing them.
🚫Don’t Use Stereotypes: I know this may seem like we are repeating ourselves with this one, but if you take anything away from the dos and don’ts for visiting Ireland it is to avoid making assumptions based on Irish stereotypes in general. Not all Irish people are 3-foot tall, whiskey-drinking, red-headed IRA members wanting to fight!
🚫Don’t Be Late: An important travel tip when visiting Ireland for the first time is: punctuality. This is widely appreciated in Ireland. Be on time for appointments or social gatherings.
Enjoy Your Ireland Holiday!
There you have it, our must-know dos and don’ts for visiting Ireland for the first time. With these top expert travel tips, we feel you are ready to explore Ireland.
Remember: the key to fitting in is to embrace jokes, enjoy the craic, and maybe avoid any serious debates about leprechauns in Ireland!
By knowing these dos and don’ts for visiting Ireland, you’ll be dodging sheep, mastering the art of the “Irish Goodbye”, and maybe even out-drinking the locals in no time.
So grab your raincoat, perfect your “Irish nod,” and get ready to enjoy a visit to Ireland filled with laughter, good company, and plenty of pints.
Sláinte to your first visit to Ireland – may it be as enjoyable as a perfectly poured pint of Guinness!
We hope you learned some new dos and don’ts for visiting Ireland, or at least, had a giggle or two!
What are your favorite dos and don’ts for visiting Ireland? Are there any other travel tips about Ireland you would add to the list?
If we have left anything out please let us know. We would love to hear from you.
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Slán go fóil
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