 Ireland conjures up images of emerald green hills shrouded in mist, dotted with farms and cottages and charming, cosy pubs. Indeed, the landscape of Ireland is some of the most spectacular in all of Europe.
There’s no shortage of attractions to keep the kids happy, with outdoor activities such camping, bike-riding, canoeing, horse-riding, go-karting and angling and interesting attractions like castles, caves, parks, farms and museums or even a Gypsy caravanning adventure.
Capital
Historic Dublin, on the east coast of Ireland, has experienced a boom in recent years and has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. It’s full of Ireland’s lively culture with a rambling assortment of pubs, cafes, monuments and museums and the locals are far more down-to-earth and friendly than your average big-city dweller.
Map of Ireland
 Ireland is a small island located off Western Europe, to the west of Great Britain. The Republic of Ireland occupies most of the island, while the northern corner of the island is given over to Northern Island, a part of the United Kingdom.
Where is it and how do I get there?
Ireland is located in the Northern Atlantic, a one hour flight from London. It’s a gruelling 26-hour flight from the east coast of Australia, including a 2 hour stop-over in London. Several airlines fly to Dublin from all capital cities in Australia.
| From |
Hours |
| Brisbane |
26 |
| Sydney |
26 |
| Melbourne |
27 |
| Perth |
27 |
When to go, Weather
Ireland’s climate is cool all year-round. The warmest months are July and August when daylight hours are long and the tourist numbers reach their peak. May and June experience the most sunshine. During the winter months (December to February), days can be very cold, rainy and foggy and some tourist facilities may be closed.
| Average Temperature |
|
| Cool Season (April to October) |
19 – 26°C |
| Wet Season (November to March) |
24 – 31°C |
Where to stay
North and South Ireland both have plenty of accommodation to suit every taste and budget. There are 5-star hotels and budget motels, charming guesthouses and B&Bs as well as the option to camp out in the countryside or even rent a gypsy caravan. Many hotels offer special deals and have good facilities for families. Campsites can be found all along Ireland’s coastline and inland as well, especially in the more visited areas. Most campsites are well equipped with cooking and toilet facilities and children’s play areas.
Bear in mind that during the peak season accommodation can be difficult to find, so it’s a very good idea to book in advance.
 Food and Drink
The traditional Irish meal is a hearty, meaty stew or hotpot, served with a good helping of potatoes. The cuisine has expanded over time to include lighter options and a broader range of flavours and ingredients. Pubs are usually open for lunch and are a great place to have a bite and soak up some of Ireland’s famous pub atmosphere, complete with great conversation, riotous laughter and spirited folk music. In Dublin you’ll find a limited range of ethnic cuisine, including Mediterranean, Mexican, Chinese, Indian and Thai, as well as the usual American fast food outlets.
Shopping
Shopping hours in the main cities are generally 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, with late-night shopping until 9pm on Thursday. Ireland’s not a fantastic shopping destination as its extremely expensive, even compared to the rest of Europe. However, Dublin, Galway and Cork have good, busy shopping areas with a big selection of local and international products. Unique Irish gifts include woollen knits, tweeds, linen, pottery, silver, Celtic objects and CDs of traditional and modern Irish music.
Airport
Dublin airport is Ireland’s major international airport. Extensive shopping facilities and food and beverage services are available at the airport, and there are banks and currency exchange counters, a pharmacy, nursery and postal and Internet facilities.
Transfers from Airport
Dublin International Airport is located 10km north of the city centre. Hiring a taxi is the quickest way to commute to Dublin. There’s a taxi rank outside of the arrivals hall. It costs between 20 and30 Euros to ride all the way into town. There’s also a state-run and a privately run coach service from the airport to various points around the city, as well as a bus service, which is reliable but slow.
Getting around for families
Car is definitely the best way to get around Ireland, as you can easily reach a lot of interesting sites that aren’t accessible by public transport. The roads are good and well signposted (although they are quite narrow outside major cities), and you will only need your national driver’s licence to book a car. However, rentals can be rather pricey, especially in the high season.
Local buses between country towns tend to be infrequent and not especially cheap. A private coach service, booked at a tour company, is usually a much better option. Train services are also fairly infrequent and expensive, but if you plan around the schedule, they are actually a fast and practical way to travel between cities, and you can purchase a discount card if you plan on making several trips by rail.
 What to wear
No matter what the season, you will need to pack raincoats and warm jumpers. Lightweight woollen and cotton clothes will usually be fine in summer and when indoors. In the cooler months, thick wool sweaters and jackets are a must. Bring sturdy, comfortable shoes if you plan to do a lot of sightseeing on foot.
Population
Ireland has a population of around 3.91 million people. About 1.5 million people reside in around the capital of Dublin.
Culture/Religion
The Irish people are best known for being brilliant storytellers. The stories of their people have been told over the ages on both fireside folktales and epic novels penned by some of the greatest names in literary history. Children will be fascinated by stories of fairies, the little creatures who play a major role in Irish legend. There are several places in Ireland named after fairies, such as the hills Sheemore and Sheebeag in County Leitrim, which literally mean “Hill of the Big Fairies” and “Hill of the Little Fairies.”
Another integral part of Irish culture is music and dancing. The mention of Irish music brings to mind lively gigues accompanied by the vigorous quick stepping of traditional dancing, but just as remarkable are the melancholy dirges, sung in the ghostly native tongue – Gaelic.
Language
The official languages in Ireland are English and Gaelic. While most Irish people only speak English, there are areas in western and southern Ireland, known as the Gaeltact, where predominantly Gaelic is spoken. If you intend to visit these areas, it’s a good idea to learn some simple phrases.
Time
Ireland is 10 hours behind Eastern Standard Time. Click here for more on time zones.
Currency
The local currency unit is the Euro, divided into 100 cents. 1 Euro is equivalent to roughly $1.70AU. Click here for current exchange rates.
 Tipping
There’s no expectation to tip in Ireland, although the practice is becoming more common. Fancy hotels and restaurants usually add a 10-15% service charge so there’s no need to tip. You may leave a tip of up to10% at smaller eateries and cafes if you want. The same applies for taxi drivers.
Electricity
220 volts at Hz. Plugs are a 3 pin 1363 British type.
Health precautions
No vaccinations are required to enter Ireland.
Tap water
Tap water is safe to drink.
Passport and Visa Requirements
You don’t need a visa to visit Ireland but you must carry an Australian passport with at least six months validity from the date of departure.
HWK Travel Tips
Australia to Ireland is a long, long flight. If it feels like a long time to you, it feels even longer to the kids. Give kids plenty of activities to do to keep them from getting bored and take their minds off feeling plane-sick. Bring along pencils, activity books and travel-sized games to keep them amused.
| 
