When to Go & Travel Tips
May, June and September are the months I would aim for. Rain is part of every season. The driving, trains and entry notes for Canadians are here too.
When to go
Spring (April and May)
April and May are the driest months, and May is among the sunniest. It is still cool. A good window for walking, before the summer crowds settle in.
Summer (June to August)
The warmest season, with a national summer average around 15°C, and the longest light in June. Showers stay in the forecast, and the west is wetter than the east. The cliffs, the islands and the pubs are at their busiest.
Autumn (September and October)
September is still a strong month for a first trip. Rain becomes more likely as October goes on, and island boats are more often called off for weather.
Winter (November to March)
Milder than a Canadian winter, with a national winter average around 5°C, and wet, windy and dark. Dublin and the pubs work. Coastal drives and boat days are the part I would not promise.
Getting there
- Most trips from Canada arrive at Dublin Airport (DUB). Toronto has nonstop flights; other cities usually connect. Flights from eastern Canada often land in the morning, so the first day is for arriving, not for the cliffs.
- Shannon (SNN) is the useful airport when the west is the first base. Cork (ORK) makes sense when the south is. Dublin Airport is outside the city. Leave time for the bus or a taxi, and do not plan a west-coast drive in the hour you land.
Getting around
- You drive on the left. A car is the right tool in Connemara, Clare and Kerry, where the roads are narrow and the peninsulas are not a train trip. It is a nuisance for a Dublin-only stay.
- Irish Rail links the cities. Dublin to Cork is about two and a half hours, and Dublin to Galway is a bit under three. Book the departure you mean to take. In Dublin, the Luas tram connects Heuston station with the centre.
- The Wild Atlantic Way is the signed coastal route down the west. It is a beautiful idea and far too long for one short holiday. Use a piece of it from your base.
Practical notes
- The currency is the euro. Plugs are type G, the same shape as in the UK, at 230 V. Cards are widely accepted. Carry a little cash for smaller places.
- Canadians do not need a visa for a tourist stay of up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for the length of the stay. Ireland is in the European Union and not in the Schengen Area, so a Schengen stamp does not cover it.
- Northern Ireland is the United Kingdom. The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation applies there, including a day trip across the border. The United Kingdom travel tips page has the practical notes.
- An immigration officer may ask for a return or onward ticket and proof of funds.
Entry rules and advisories change. Before you book and again before you fly, check travel.gc.ca.
Ireland planning questions
How many days do I need in Ireland?
A week is enough for two bases, usually Dublin and Galway. Add Kerry, the south or Northern Ireland and you want about 10 nights. Seven nights is not enough for the whole island.
Can I see the whole island in a week?
You can drive a lot of it, and it will feel like a timetable. I would pick Dublin and one coast, or one coast done slowly. The peninsulas and the islands need their own nights.
When is the best time to go to Ireland?
May, June and September. April and May are the driest months. July and August are the warmest and the busiest. Rain is possible in every month, and the west is wetter than the east.
Do Canadians need a visa for Ireland?
Not for a tourist stay of up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for the length of the stay. Ireland is not in the Schengen Area. If the trip includes Northern Ireland, the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation applies there too. Check travel.gc.ca before you book and again before you fly.
Should I rent a car in Ireland?
Not for Dublin. Trains are the way between Dublin, Galway and Cork. A car earns its place on the west and in Kerry, and you will be driving on the left, on narrow roads.
Let’s plan your Ireland trip
Tell me who is travelling, how long you have, and whether you want Dublin, the west coast, or a slower countryside chapter. I’ll plan the bases, the train or the car, and the tickets worth booking before you fly.
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