Roavina

Country guide

Ireland

A photograph of Ireland
Photograph · Suicasmo · CC BY-SA 4.0

Ireland here means the state covering 26 of the island's 32 counties; the other six are Northern Ireland, and the two share the republic's only land border. About 5.4 million people live in the 26, more than 1.5 million of them in Dublin on the east coast, where most arrivals begin. Everything else is a direction away from the capital - the Atlantic west and its cliffs and harbour towns, the Celtic Sea to the south beyond Cork, the Irish Sea coast running north. The island is small enough to cross by car in a day, which regularly tempts people into trying it.

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Irish and English
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+353
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112 or 999
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type G · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Safe from the mains
Public supplies are monitored; follow any local boil-water notice

Planning a visit

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: seasonal closure recorded
  5. May: seasonal closure recorded
  6. June: seasonal closure recorded
  7. July: seasonal closure recorded
  8. August: seasonal closure recorded
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Molly Malone Molly Malone
    02 1 hour

    Molly Malone

    Molly Malone is a bronze statue located on Suffolk Street in Dublin city centre.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  2. Hugh Lane Gallery Hugh Lane Gallery
    03 1 hour

    Hugh Lane Gallery

    The Hugh Lane Gallery is a municipal art gallery in Dublin, Ireland. Established through a bequest from Sir Hugh Lane, who perished aboard the RMS Lusitania in 1915, the institution occupies a purpose-built structure on Parnell Square North.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  3. Gaiety Theatre Gaiety Theatre
    04 1 hour

    Gaiety Theatre

    The Gaiety Theatre is a historic theatre located on South King Street in Dublin, Ireland. Established in the 19th century, it stands as one of the city's prominent Victorian-era theatrical venues.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  4. National Concert Hall National Concert Hall
    05 1 hour

    National Concert Hall

    The National Concert Hall is Ireland's principal national venue for classical music and other live performances. Located in Dublin, it occupies a building that was formerly part of University College Dublin.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  5. Abbey Theatre Abbey Theatre
    06 1 hour

    Abbey Theatre

    The Abbey Theatre is a theatre located in Dublin, Ireland. It is the national theatre of Ireland and one of the country's most prominent cultural institutions.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  6. Douglas Hyde Gallery Douglas Hyde Gallery
    07 1 hour

    Douglas Hyde Gallery

    The Douglas Hyde Gallery is a contemporary art gallery at Trinity College Dublin. Named after Douglas Hyde, Ireland's first President, it is part of the cultural life of the university and presents changing exhibitions rather than a conventional historic collection.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  7. Gallery of Photography Gallery of Photography
    08 1 hour

    Gallery of Photography

    The Gallery of Photography is a photography exhibition space located in Dublin, Ireland. It operates as a venue dedicated to photographic arts, presenting works through curated exhibitions.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  8. Bord Gáis Energy Theatre Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
    09 1 hour

    Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

    Bord Gáis Energy Theatre is a performing arts venue located in Dublin, Ireland. The theatre presents large-scale musicals, opera, ballet, drama, and concerts. It opened in 2010 and was designed by architect Daniel Libeskind.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  9. Gate Theatre Gate Theatre
    10 1 hour

    Gate Theatre

    Gate Theatre and Assembly Rooms

    Gate Theatre is a Dublin performing-arts venue known for presenting live drama. It has hosted Irish and international theatrical work and forms part of the city’s strong theatre culture.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  10. New Theatre New Theatre
    11 1 hour

    New Theatre

    The New Theatre

    New Theatre is a performing arts venue in Dublin, Ireland, offering audiences a place to experience live theatrical work and cultural events. Its programming connects contemporary and classic dramatic traditions with Dublin’s wider theatre culture.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  11. Olympia Theatre Olympia Theatre
    12 1 hour

    Olympia Theatre

    Olympia Theatre is a long-established Dublin theatre and music venue in the city centre. It brings together theatrical productions, live concerts and touring entertainment in a setting with historic character.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  12. Samuel Beckett Theatre Samuel Beckett Theatre
    13 1 hour

    Samuel Beckett Theatre

    Samuel Beckett Theatre is a performing arts venue on the Trinity College Dublin campus in central Dublin. Its name honours the Irish playwright Samuel Beckett, while its programme serves the wider theatrical life of the university and the city.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  13. Smock Alley Theatre Smock Alley Theatre
    14 1 hour

    Smock Alley Theatre

    Smock Alley Theatre is a historic theatre venue located in Dublin, Ireland.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  14. 3Arena 3Arena
    15 1 hour

    3Arena

    3Arena is a major indoor amphitheatre located in Dublin, Ireland. The venue opened in December 2008 and was originally known as The O2. It was renamed 3Arena in 2014 following a sponsorship change.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Ireland be?

Seven to ten days supports Dublin plus one coherent coastal or western circuit. A shorter trip should choose either the southwest, Galway and Connemara, or Northern Ireland connections rather than tracing the entire island.

What entry documents are needed for Ireland?

Irish Immigration explains the documents examined at the border. Visa need, passport validity and supporting evidence depend on nationality; Ireland is not part of Schengen, so a Schengen permission alone does not settle Irish entry.

What is the best way to travel around Ireland?

Dublin is the largest air gateway, with Shannon and Cork useful for western and southern routes. Intercity rail and coach links serve the main cities, while rural peninsulas and small settlements often require a car or planned bus connection.

When is a practical time to visit Ireland?

May to September offers longer daylight for road and coastal itineraries. Rain and wind remain possible throughout the year, so ferry crossings and exposed walks need a current forecast rather than a seasonal assumption.

What money and payment basics apply in Ireland?

Ireland uses the euro (EUR). The cited national tourism source does not record a universal payment rule; confirm card acceptance for rural transport, small accommodation and deposits, and retain an alternative.

What practical safety details should I save for Ireland?

Emergency services in Ireland answer 112 or 999. Type G sockets use 230 V, and mains tap water is recorded as safe.