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"Ireland" text over an aerial view of the ocean and green coastline.
Pubs: crawling
Castles: sprawling
You: oohing and aahing

Ireland Travel Guide

Whether you’re a nature junkie, all about that #PubLife, or a diehard music fan—you won’t need the luck of the Irish to find a reason to love Ireland.

Experience Ireland

Where hiking shoes turn into dancing-at-the-pub shoes turn into hiking shoes.

Adventure

Crush your daily steps goal and say things like “these views are bang on.”

Experience the struggle of ocean against rock at the Cliffs of Moher

History

Castles. Lots of castles.

Tour the 600-year-old Blarney Castle & Gardens

Craic (good times)

Fact: Irish bliss starts with Guinness.

Pour the perfect pint at the Guinness Storehouse

Flights. Accommodations. Activities. Rockstar Tour Director that knows which pub has the coldest Guinness.

This is group travel with EF Ultimate Break. Expertly crafted itineraries, everything included. We keep your stress levels low and holy-s#!t-that-was-awesome levels high.

See our top Ireland trips

Lowdown

Language: English
Currency: Euro
Color: Green. So much green.
Capital: Dublin
Must See: Cliffs of Moher
Highest Mountain: Carrauntoohil
Cutest Encounter: Sheep
Dance to: Live Irish music
Drink to: Live Irish music
Hangover Cure: Live Irish music—kidding. Obviously it’s a full Irish breakfast.

Slang

Bang on: Meaning you’re right or accurate
Black stuff: Guinness
Brutal: Meaning awful or dreadful
Craic: Pronounced like crack; good times
Deadly or savage: Fantastic or great
Knackered or shattered: Exhausted
Langers: Drunk
Wired to the moon: A little hungover and three cups of coffee before 9:00am? You’re wired to the moon.
Take the piss: To mock, tease, or poke fun

Eat like a local

Don’t get it twisted, bangers and mash are a must. But there’s a whole lot of Irish food you’ve got to try.

Irish Stew

Ireland’s most famous dish of meat, potatoes, onions, parsley, carrots & more.

Best ways to visit Ireland

Every way’s a good way to see Ireland, but we’ve kind of perfected it.

Grand Tour of Ireland

9 days. 4 cities. Views worth leaving the pub for.

See the trip
Active Ireland

12 days. 5 cities. Fresh air meets fresher pints.

St. Paddy’s Day in Ireland

9 days. 3 cities. Green on green on green.

England, Scotland & Ireland

17 days. 6 cities. Infinite fairytale vibes.

Browse all our Ireland itineraries
We know a spot or two

Everybody knows Ireland is ridiculously good looking. But we know just the spots to experience the best of the Emerald Isle.

Dublin

Beyond its world-class pub scene, Ireland’s capital city has majestic castles, fascinating museums, and stunning public hangouts like St. Stephens Green.

Galway

Come for the live music on Quay Street, stay for the charming villages and cobblestone alleyways.

Kilkenny

Soak up 14th-century history on the “Medieval Mile” then wash it down with a cold pint at the famous Smithwick's brewery, churning out the good stuff (red ale) since 1710.

County Kerry

This Is where Ireland’s natural scenery and epic adventure combine with attractions like Killarney National Park, the Ring of Kerry, and Macgillycuddy’s Reeks.

County Clare

Drive through Ireland’s vast green countryside on your way to the Cliffs of Moher, where the only thing more impressive than the cliffs will be your selfie skills.

The Aran Islands

Visiting these three rugged yet beautiful islands is like traveling back in time—the locals speak traditional Irish Gaelic and fisherman haul their catch in traditional wooden boats.

Learn more about our trips to Ireland

Pro tips

  • Spuds get all the love, but make sure to enjoy Ireland’s incredibly fresh seafood, too.
  • We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: the weather changes in an instant. Expect the unexpected—bring a waterproof jacket and shoes!
  • The locals in Ireland are known for being friendly. Spark up conversation in the pubs and you may even find a new BFF.
  • Support Ireland’s long history of craftsmanship and delicacies by buying local—from sweaters and jewelry to cheese and chocolate and more.
  • When at the pubs with a group, it’s common for each person to take turns “buying a round” for the rest of the group. Try it out with your new friends!
  • It’s tempting to take pictures at every corner or of every pint you purchase, but remember that life in Ireland is all about living in the moment. Enjoy it!

Ireland inspo

These travelers went full Irish 👇 —will you?
5/5: the perfect pour!

Our travelers love visiting Ireland, and they aren’t afraid to tell us.

“My first solo trip ever. I was nervous but once I got to Dublin and met up with the group, I felt comfortable. The highlights for me were the city life in Dublin, the Kilkenny Castle and Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands, and the Ring of Kerry. EF Ultimate Break does a great job of organizing the tours and making your mind feel at ease. Everything’s planned perfectly: you get a good amount of free time and tour time.”

Reina – EF Ultimate Break traveler

“An amazing adventure I’ll never forget. All the hikes were absolutely beautiful. Some were challenging but definitely worth it. The views were like nothing I’ve seen before. It wouldn’t have been the same without our Tour Director Gavin leading the charge! He was always in good spirits and kept us informed about the places we were hiking through. I recommend this trip to anyone who wants to see the majesty of the Irish countryside.”

Garrett – EF Ultimate Break traveler

“I decided to go alone during St. Paddy’s and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I got to see the Cliffs of Moher, kiss the Blarney Stone, and party with strangers who became family. Laura was the best Tour Director and her stories of traveling just reignite my desire to see more. I can’t wait to visit again, and tour with this company for a long time!”

Rebecca – EF Ultimate Break traveler

Our kick-a** Tour Directors

We ❤️ them—and you will too.

Gavin

“Being from Ireland is something that I’m very proud of. No matter how far I travel or for how long, Ireland will always be my home. Ireland is the land of a thousand welcomes. Whoever you are, Ireland will welcome you with open arms and a hot mug of tea! Being a Tour Director allows me to dispense this welcome over and over again, and there’s nothing I enjoy more than meeting new people and showing off this little Emerald Island!”

Laura

“I was born in Ireland and live in a friendly little seaside village on the West Coast. Ireland is a magical place of music, dancing, and stories on a backdrop of rolling green hills, woodland, and cliffs standing over the Atlantic Ocean. Being a Tour Director is the perfect life for me, as it allows me to share with travelers what my amazing homeland has to offer!”

Marco

“I grew up between Sligo (West Coast of Ireland) and Florence (Italy). After graduating in Archeology, I traveled quite intensely around the world for 10 years, but no place feels like home more than sitting in a pub anywhere in Ireland—surrounded by strangers of every age and gender, chatting, downing a pint, listening to live music and having a great craic! My fiery passion for history and culture is something I love sharing with my groups, and for that I can thank EF Ultimate Break! Sláinte.”

Still undecided? We’ll help you find the perfect trip.

Our expert Trip Consultants are waiting to hear from you. Seriously. They freakin’ love helping travelers figure out their dream trips.

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