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A small island with a rich history and culture, dramatic landscapes, and a fair bit of rain, Ireland provides a wealth of experiences for the visitor. You could follow in the footsteps of literary heavyweights such as Joyce, Wilde, or Beckett on a literary pub crawl in Dublin, delve into prehistory on a guided tour of the Neolithic passage graves in Newgrange and the Boyne Valley, or discover the wonders of the Giant’s Causeway and the Antrim Coast.

Romantic castle ruins, wild national parks, and stone-walled fields litter the country, and whether you’d enjoy visiting cheesemongers and chocolatiers on a Dublin food tour, sipping peaty spirits at the Jameson Distillery, or exploring the Cliffs of Moher by boat, Ireland offers plenty of choice.

The choice of places to stay in Ireland is as varied as the landscape. You can stay in historic castles decorated in opulent traditional style, fishing lodges nestled in secluded valleys, or urban hideaways with sleek, contemporary design. The Irish are renowned for their hospitality, and whether you choose to stay in a family-run guesthouse or a plush, urban hotel, you’ll find a special welcome waiting.

In Belfast, history and grandeur combine in the Merchant Hotel. In Kilkenny, you can stay in stately Butler House, former home of the Earls of Ormonde, while on the shores of Lough Erne, you can stargaze in a dome as you fall asleep to the sound of the water. To get some ideas, browse our collection of places to stay in Ireland, and start planning your trip.

Most trips to Ireland begin in Dublin, the Republic’s capital. It’s a beguiling place where political and literary history collide, and local life never takes itself too seriously. From Dublin, you can head west to see the wild, raw beauty of Connemara, the otherworldly landscape of the Burren, or to join an impromptu traditional music session in Galway, Westport, or Doolin.

Discover Donegal’s deserted beaches or hike along the towering cliffs at Slieve League, visit the Dark Hedges that featured in the Game of Thrones, Belfast’s poignant Titanic Museum, or learn about the city’s troubled past on a black cab tour.

To the south, Cork has a character so strong its people joke about it becoming their own republic, Killarney sits at the foot of the country’s highest peaks, and Dingle is all windswept beaches and pubs that have changed little with the passage of time.

A direct flight to Dublin from New York City takes just over six and a half hours. From Boston it’s six hours, from Seattle nine hours, and from San Francisco, it’s ten hours. Aer Lingus, Ireland’s national carrier, is the only airline offering direct flights to the west coast, although some routes only operate during the summer months.

The time zone in Ireland is UTC+1 hour. Daylight Savings Time is observed from late-March to late-October.

Self driving in Ireland is easy and efficient and is one of the best ways to get around. You’ll need to be comfortable driving on the left, however. Trains are modern and reliable, but the rail network is a little limited and if you choose to travel by train, you’re likely to need to use buses or taxis as well. We can also arrange private drivers to take you directly to your destination.

There’s no border control between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and if you’re driving, the only difference you might notice is a subtle change in the road signs and markings.

Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Ireland. Enter where you’re traveling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.

• Entry requirements travel tool

Your doctor can provide you with immunization advice for Ireland. You can also check the recommended vaccinations by visiting the . Ensuring you’re up to date with all vaccinations recommended at home before you travel is also a good idea.