Cheap flights to Ireland from $171

Ireland Travel Guide

The Emerald Isle on the edge of Europe might be small, but it’s a big hitter when it comes to music, literature, sports, and its people’s ability to find the craic (fun) in every situation.

The Celtic Tiger roared through the Republic in the 1990s and brought unprecedented wealth and immigrants on cheap flights to Ireland seeking work. The Ireland of traditional small farms and industries went high-tech—at least in the cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway—but it has not forgotten its roots. Traditional music sessions are a weekly event in many country pubs and Irish dancing is a popular pastime.

Bound by the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast and the calmer Irish Sea on the east, there is nowhere in Ireland that is more than 30 miles from the sea. The rolling hills are made for walking, climbing, biking and horse-riding and the many golf courses are lush and, of course, green.

The seas around Ireland provide plentiful and delicious seafood, and its largely family-run farms produce the meat and vegetables for Ireland’s hearty cuisine.

Whether you book a cheap flight to Ireland for a family gathering in Dublin or a chance to gab at the Blarney stone, the trip to Ireland will produce memories that last a lifetime! The language is the same and the food is familiar, so Americans booking a trip to Ireland immediately feel at ease in the country. For Irish Americans, booking flights to Ireland is a special homecoming—you never know who you’ll meet or what ancestry you’ll dig up. But once the familiarity has settled in, it’s time to really explore Ireland.

Take a trip off the beaten path and test your knowledge of Gaelic language in some of Ireland’s remote villages. When your flight to Ireland lands, take time to explore the castles, pubs and ancient artifacts that bind centuries of Irish kin together. Music and literature have defined Ireland for years, so it’s no wonder many friendships are made over a song or a poem. Listen for a song you to which you can sing along, and join the locals in an Irish tune at the local pub. Belly up to the bar for a stout and fish and chips, and introduce yourself to the locals. The friendliness in Ireland is second to none, and everyone is welcome in this treasured country.

For anyone in search of greener pastures, book a flight to Ireland.

Getting to and around Ireland

Dublin Airport:

The airport is located about 6 miles North of Dublin’s city center and has several transportation options to get you to and from the airport. The most common method is either a bus or coach, though taxis are also available. There are about 1000 buses and coaches doing their rounds through the airport each day, all of which go to different areas of Ireland. You can find relevant information at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, depending on your destination. You can also find taxis outside of the Arrivals Terminal. Taxis are more expensive than buses but if you have a lot of luggage or can split the fare with a friend then they can work out to be quite a good value— just make sure to agree on a fee before getting in to avoid an overcharge.

Cork Airport:

After your flight to Ireland has landed in Cork, the main option to get into the city is via bus. Buses are plentiful, cheap, and cover a great deal of Ireland. All of the buses leave from outside of the Arrivals Terminal and you can find more information on timetables either online or at the airport once you arrive. Taxis are also available but will cost significantly more than the bus. They are beneficial if you have a lot of baggage as some buses can be quite crowded.

Ryanair and Aer Arann offer intercity flights, Kerry to Dublin or Dublin to Mayo, for example.

In the cities (Dublin, Cork and Limerick) there are good public bus networks. There is a rail line that runs along the coast in Dublin called the DART and a light rail system called the LUAS that has two lines. One runs east-west through Dublin’s Northside, then crosses the River Liffey and travels south-west to Tallaght, the other is in the south side of Dublin.

Iarnród Éireann runs the railroads. Intercity routes cover major cities and towns around the country while Commuter Rail covers commuter routes to Dublin.

The national bus company is Bus Eireann, which connects the cities and towns. There are several private coach companies too.

Renting a car is a great option as the county towns and smaller villages will not have very frequent bus services. All the major car rental companies are represented at the airports.

Tips for your stay in Ireland

• Ireland may not be able to guarantee the warm weather of other surfing spots, but it has become a much more popular sport in recent years. Easkey, 27 miles from Sligo in the West of Ireland, is Ireland’s premier surfing spot. County Clare has a number of key surf spots, including Lahinch, Crab Island, Spanish Point, Doughmore, Killard and Ballybunion.
• The country is well-clothed in forest. One of the most beautiful is Glenariff Forest Parkin County Antrim. The countryside is a patchwork of purples and greens, the falls are sprays of rushing water, pools are calm and there are stretches of fast-flowing dark water that resemble a pint of Guinness —without the creamy head naturally.
• The World Fleadhthat takes place in a different venue each year is Ireland’s biggest Irish and Celtic music festival featuring the world’s best Irish traditional, contemporary and celtic musicians. Travelers take cheap flights to Ireland from the four corners of the world to follow the session trail, world title competitions, song, dance, and master classes and demonstrations in various performance styles.
• For a taste of how the Irish used to live, visit Great Blasket Islandoff the Kerry coast. Climb down the steep Dunquin Pier on the Dingle Peninsula and take the short boat trip across to the island. There is a small tourist industry on the island, breathtaking views of the Atlantic and an abundance of sea birds and wildlife. Or visit the Aran Islands, off the coast of Galway.
• If it’s raining, the state’s art galleries all have free admission. The main ones in Dublin are the National Gallery, Merrion Square; the Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square and the IMMA (The Irish Museum of Modern Art), in the old Royal Hospital, Kilmainham.
• Climb the steep hill to ring the bells at St Anne’s Church in Cork. Then once you have arrived, climb the stone steps to a parapet that has 360-degree views of the city. Visitors can also ring the church’s eight bells.
• Dip into CS Lewis’s Ulster. The creator of The Chronicles of Narniawas born in Belfast. He spent some of his childhood there, and vacationed there regularly as an adult. Now there are lots of ways to follow him including a black taxi tour.
• A favorite of bohemians, artists, and students, Galwayis a proliferation of art galleries and an arts scene that includes traditional music, street theater, and festivals—the best known of which is the Galway Arts Festival held every summer. The vibrant energy continues into the exuberant nightlife. Galway is also a departure point for the Aran Islands, and nearby Lough Corrib has excellent fishing.
• Ireland’s majestic beauty is picture-perfect in County Kerry. There is still a sense of tourist glitz, but pristine beauty is just minutes away—such as Ireland’s two highest mountains, miles of moorland, and spectacular coastal vistas—and an abundance of prehistoric and early Christian sites. Killarney and the Ring of Kerry are the most popular destinations, and Dingle Peninsula the most beautiful.
• The Shannonregion has stunning scenery: Cliffs of Moher; Burren’s limestone; Aillwee Cave’s stalactites, stalagmites, and relics; Lough Derg; Atlantic seacoast; the Shannon River; the Slieve Bloom Mountains; and so much more. History buffs can explore sites such as Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, a sixth-century monastery, Celtic exhibits, and museums. All this in a region just over 80 miles end to end.