Ireland Holidays

View from Guinness Storehouse in Dublin
View from the Guinness Storehouse

If you are planning to go on holiday in Ireland, you have a lot of choice in terms of where and when you go, and how you travel.

Dublin is Ireland’s capital, and most people start their holidays there. The city is worth a few days of exploring, as there are many sights to see. However, the best parts of Ireland are the coastal areas and the countryside. They are what the Emerald Isle is best known for, and you should be sure to make time for them when you are planning your itinerary.

As far as when to visit, there is no particularly bad time for a holiday in Ireland, but if you want the highest chance of good weather, the summer months are the best time to be there. July and August tend to be the most popular, but also the most crowded. Consider going in May, June, or September if you want fewer crowds and slightly lower prices.

Once you know where and when you will be visiting Ireland, you can decide how you want to travel when you get there. Driving is the best way to get around on your holiday, as the country’s rail network leaves out many of the highlights outside of the cities (more information about driving in Ireland can be found here). As such, it is best to either hire a car or take an organised tour. Small group tours of Ireland offer a good balance between independent travel and large tours, and there are a lot of great companies that run them.

Halloween in Dublin, Ireland

The Irish word for Halloween is Samhain, and Dublin’s Halloween celebrations are some of the liveliest in Europe. Halloween is on 31 October every year, and the city comes alive with the holiday.

There is a huge annual Halloween festival in the city that draws visitors from all over. Additionally, there is a Samhain Halloween Parade in Dublin and special events at many of Dublin’s bars, pubs, and other venues.

If you are planning to visit Dublin for Halloween, make sure to book your accommodation and transportation well in advance, as the city gets very busy during the celebrations.

Visiting Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle is one of the most popular places to visit in the city. Founded in 1204, it has been continually occupied since.

Located in the heart of Dublin, the castle sits on the River Liffey. Its 44,000 square metres contain the State Apartments, Undercroft, Chapel Royal, Garda (Police) Museum, Chester Beatty Library, Revenue Museum, gift shop, and restaurants, which are all open to visitors. You can learn more here.

Dublin Castle Opening Hours
Monday-Friday 10:00am to 4:45pm

Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays 2:00pm to 4:45pm

Dublin Castle is closed on Good Friday, 24 to 28 December, 1 January.