Getting to Ireland and finding a place to stay
Ireland (/ˈaɪərlənd/ (listen); Irish: Éire [ˈeːɾʲə] (
listen); Ulster-Scots: Airlann [ˈɑːrlən]) is an island in the North Atlantic. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel. Ireland is the second-largest island of the British Isles, the third-largest in Europe, and the twentieth-largest on Earth.[8] - Wikipedia
So, How do I get to Ireland and where do I stay?
Being an island, the only ways to reach Ireland would be by flying, a boat or a ferry. Most visitors would fly to the UK or directly to one of the Irish international airports. Accommodation is plentiful and is easy to find by searching online.
Airports in Ireland
Dublin Airport
Dublin International Airport is around 12 kilometers from Dublin city center and it will be your first stop when visiting Dublin.
From Dublin airport to the city, there are 5 options for airport transfer to the city center or to your Dublin accommodation.
Dublin Airport To City Transfer Options
Airlink Express Public Coach
Aircoach Express Public Coach
Dublin Bus
Private Transfers
Taxi
SHANNON AIRPORT TRANSFER OPTIONS TO MAJOR CITIES IN IRELAND
Shannon Airport is the third busiest airport in Ireland after Dublin Airport and Cork Airport. In 2017, it served over 1.7 million passengers alone.
Major Airlines that serve Shannon Airport
Currently, below are the major airlines that serve Shannon:
Air Lingus
General: +353 (0)61 715400
Reservations: 0818 365000
Lost Baggage: +353 (0)61 715325 – 0800hrs to 1500hrs daily
Website: www.aerlingus.com
Air Canada
General: 1-800-709900
Lost Baggage: Information
Website: www.aircanada.com
American Airlines
Reservations:1890 925 065
Lost Baggage:+353 (0)61712474
Website: www.americanairlines.ie
Delta
General: +353 (0)61 471200
Reservations: 0818 904 872
Lost Baggage: +353 (0)61 712474
Website: www.delta.com
Lufthansa
Lost Baggage: +353 (0)61 471851
Website: www.lufthansa.com
Norwegian Airline
Lost Baggage: +353 (0)61 471851
Website: www.norwegian.com/ie
Ryan Air
Lost Baggage: +353 (0)61 471851
Website: www.ryanair.com
United Airlines
Reservations: 1890 925252
Lost Baggage: +353 (0)61712474
Website: www.united.com
Where to stay
HOW TO FIND ACCOMMODATION IN IRELAND
Ireland is an ever popular tourist destination. 11.2 Million people visited Ireland in 2019, according to Tourism Ireland.
Do your research and Book Ahead
Like any part of planning a trip, when it comes to accommodation, doing your research is the key to success.
There is a number of booking sites where you start looking for accommodation
Ireland Hotels. Good for finding hotel accommodation, the official site of the Irish Hotels Federation.
Ireland.com. A search engine by Tourism Ireland with a full collection including hotels, camping, university accommodation and everything in between.
Ireland’s Blue Book. Features unique country houses, historic homes, luxury boutique hotels and BnBs.
You can also search these popular booking sites.
Booking.com
TripAdvisor
Trivago
Airbnb
Expedia
As we have said, Ireland is a very popular tourist destination and it is a good idea to book as much of your accommodation as you can in advance, especially during peak seasons,
If you’re travelling from outside the EU, from the US for example, you will need to provide an address or evidence of a reservation at Immigration when you arrive at the airport anyway, so booking ahead makes sense.
Your accommodation options
HOTELS
Staying in a hotel will usually be the most expensive option, especially in main cities.
5-STAR HOTELS
5 Star hotels in Ireland are plentiful, especially in Dublin where you will find a few iconic selections.
The Shelbourne Hotel boasts past guests including Charlie Chaplin, Grace Kelly (who had a suite named after her) and President John F. Kennedy.
The Merrion Hotel caters well for lovers of fine food and is home to Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, which holds not one, but two Michelin stars.
There are many other five star hotel all over Ireland
Hotel prices in Ireland vary widely depending on season and location.
For the best deals check out www.booking.com
HOSTELS
Hostels traditionally cater to the younger traveller who is either broke or a single backpacker but some can provide value even for couples with kids, so it is worth checking them out.
Check out Hostelworld, Hostelbookers or Independent Hostels Ireland to find out more.
SELF CATERING
When you are travelling with kids you might want to cook your own meals and then this could be a great option.
There are many options such as a traditional cottage, a seaside holiday home or a convenient townhouse.
You can find self-catering accommodation on the usual booking sites mentioned above as well as these Irish sites:
AIRBNB, BED AND BREAKFASTS
AirBnB is now an option everywhere and is definitely worth consideration.
If you’re someone who loves to soak up local tradition and culture, there’s no better place to stay than with an Irish family in a bed and breakfast. With hundreds of quality B&Bs right across the country, you have the opportunity to meet the real people of Ireland, enjoy a home cooked breakfast and get great value for money.
According to B&B Ireland, the average price per person of a B&B is €32-38 per person sharing, but of course, it does depend on the season and location.
HISTORIC HOUSES AND CASTLES
One of the great attractions of Ireland is its rich history and architecture and you can even sleep in some of these stunning pieces of history.
- Abbeyglen Castle, Galway
- Ashford Castle, Mayo
- Ballygally Castle, Antrim
- Ballynahinch Castle, Galway
- Ballyseede Castle, Kerry
- Cabra Castle, Castle
- Castle Leslie, Monaghan
- Clontarf Castle, Dublin
- Dromoland Castle, Clare
- Dunboyne Castle, Meath
- Fitzpatrick Castle, Dublin
- Kilkea Castle, Kildare
- Kilronan Castle, Roscommon
- Kinnitty Castle, Offaly
- Lough Eske Castle, Donegal
- Lough Rynn Castle, Leitrim
- The Black Castle, Tipperary
- Waterford Castle, Waterford
- Wilton Castle, Wexford
Celtic Castles provides details on how you can book your stay.
CAMPING
Camping is always and option despite the unpredictable weather
Pitchup.com provides a very helpful list of top campsites in Ireland. Prices in Ireland start at €12.91 per night for 2 people.
Looking for something with more style? You can find glamping sites in Ireland on Booking.com.
Planning a visit?
Get the Ultimate Ireland Travel Guide
