Ireland Travel Guide: Dublin, Galway, Kerry & Where to Go in 2026

Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen Area — it has its own visa policy. Citizens of all EU/EEA countries (including the Nordics), the UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and around 60 other visa-exempt countries can enter visa-free for up to 90 days.

Ireland is also NOT covered by ETIAS, so visa-exempt travelers won't need one to visit (unlike for Schengen countries).

The UK and Ireland share the Common Travel Area, so a UK visa or ETA doesn't cover Ireland — you'll need to clear Irish immigration separately if flying between London and Dublin. Russian citizens need an Irish short-stay visa, applied for via VFS Global.

Passport must be valid for the duration of your stay (Ireland is flexible on the 6-month rule, but some airlines insist).

A balanced first trip with a rental car: Dublin (2 nights) for Trinity College, the Book of Kells, Temple Bar (briefly — it's mostly tourists), Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol, and the actual local pubs in Stoneybatter and Rathmines. Drive to Killarney (1 night) via the Rock of Cashel — Killarney National Park is gateway to the Ring of Kerry. Dingle Peninsula (1 night) — quieter and arguably more dramatic than Ring of Kerry; the Slea Head Drive is one of Europe's great coastal routes. Cliffs of Moher and Doolin (1 night) — 214m sheer Atlantic cliffs, then trad music in Doolin's pubs (Gus O'Connor's, McGann's). Galway (2 nights) — Ireland's best small city for food, music, and the gateway to Connemara and the Aran Islands.

May, June, and September are the sweet spots — the longest daylight (16+ hours in June), the lowest rainfall, mild temperatures (14–20°C), and far fewer tour buses than July–August. July and August are peak summer — busier, slightly warmer, but accommodation in Killarney, Doolin, and Galway books up months ahead. March brings St.

Patrick's Day (17 March) — Dublin is genuinely worth being in for the parade if you book months in advance, but expect crowds and 2–3x hotel prices that weekend. October to April is the moody, atmospheric, real Ireland — short days (just 8 hours in December), more rain, but empty pubs with proper fires and dramatic Atlantic light.

There's no season when it doesn't rain — pack waterproofs in every month.

Yes, for the countryside; no, for Dublin and Galway. The Wild Atlantic Way (2,500km along the west coast), Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Connemara, and the Burren all only really work with a car — public transport between rural villages is sparse and slow.

Two notes: cars in Ireland are right-hand drive on the left side of the road, narrow country lanes are common, and most rentals are manual transmission (automatic costs 30–50% more, book early).

Get the supplementary insurance — minor damage on stone-wall-lined lanes is common. In Dublin and Galway, don't rent; parking is expensive and difficult, public transport, walking, and the occasional taxi cover everything.

Pick up the car as you leave Dublin and drop it at Shannon or Cork before flying out for the easiest logistics.

Guinness tastes different in Ireland — the 119.5-second pour is real, and skilled bartenders make a difference.

Skip the Temple Bar tourist traps; the best pints are in old neighborhood pubs: Mulligan's (Poolbeg Street, since 1782), The Long Hall (South Great George's Street), Kehoe's, and The Cobblestone in Smithfield (also the city's best trad music venue).

Beyond Guinness, try Murphy's or Beamish (Cork stouts), and Irish whiskey — Jameson is the gateway, but ask for Redbreast, Green Spot, or anything from Bushmills (Ireland's oldest distillery). For traditional music sessions: Doolin (Co.

Clare) is the unofficial trad capital — Gus O'Connor's and McGann's have nightly sessions. Dingle (Dick Mack's, An Droichead Beag), Galway (Tig Cóilí, The Crane Bar), and The Cobblestone in Dublin.