Miscellaneous Tips for Your Trip to Ireland

Bring heavy clothes
It doesn't matter if you go in summer or winter, Irish weather is notoriously unpredictable and it can be cold at any time of the year. So go prepared with sweaters, jeans and jackets for touring. It's also essential to bring rain gear, as Ireland gets a LOT of rain.

Even if the day starts out sunny, don't be fooled. Take your rain gear along with you. Irish weather changes constantly, so a sunny morning does not necessarily guarantee a sunny afternoon. Do pack a couple of t-shirts too though - you never know!

Eat pub grub
Pubs in Ireland serve excellent quality food at very reasonable prices. Many serve hot meals for lunch, on a self-service basis, at half the price you would pay in a fancy restaurant. Otherwise you'll easily find pubs that serve soup, tea and sandwiches. Take advantage of this cheaper option for dining.

Stay in a B&B
While it's not the very cheapest accommodation (there are youth hostels that offer cheaper rates) Irish B&Bs are the most popular type of accommodation for visitors. B&Bs are famous in Ireland for their hospitality and value for money. Your nightly fee will include a full Irish breakfast - usually called a fry - of rashers (bacon), eggs, sausages, black and white pudding, tomatoes and all the bread you can eat. B&Bs charge per person, per night and rates range from about 17 Irish punts upwards - exceedingly good value.

Take a packed lunch
One of the best ways to save money is to take a packed lunch when you tour for the day. Bring a flask/thermos with you and have the B&B owner fill it with hot water for tea. They will be happy to do so and some B&Bs offer a sandwich service for packed lunches.

Explore pub culture
Ireland is famous for its pub culture and you shouldn't go there without sampling it. Make sure you take the opportunity to visit a few pubs and drink a few pints of Guinness. You'll enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and friendly conversation.

Rent a car and get lost
The absolute best way to see Ireland is to rent a car and explore on your own. You will often find the most amazing scenery away from the usual tourist haunts. One of the attractions of this country is the sparse population (just about 4 million in the whole country), so you can find places where you can be totally alone. Getting into your car and just driving the country roads can be very rewarding.

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