Greetings from Dublin, Ireland! Every travel blog tells you what to do when you travel, but we like to tell you what not to do, so you can be prepared for your Ireland vacation. No matter when you are going to Ireland, these are the “don’ts” of visiting the Emerald Isle.
#1: Don’t Think Ireland is Just Dublin
Dublin is great, but there is so much more to Ireland outside of the capital city. From Galway to Kinsale and all over Ireland, there is so much beauty and so many things to see. Many people come to Ireland and only see Dublin, but they’re missing out on nearly the whole country! This also applies to prices: Dublin prices are not typical of what you’ll see elsewhere in Ireland; things are much less expensive once you leave the city.
Read: What to Know Before You Visit Blarney Castle
#2: Don’t Think it Rains All the Time in Ireland
Summers in Ireland can be warm and sunny, so don’t think that it’s going to rain all the time. It does rain a lot, but not every day, all day. Like anywhere, there’s a rainy season in Ireland, and less rainy seasons. It’s always a good idea to bring layers, including a rain jacket, when are you are going to Ireland.
#3: Don’t Think a Sunny Forecast Means No Rain
On the flip side of #2, just because the forecast is for a sunny day, don’t think that means it won’t rain in Ireland. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have an extra layer, and a waterproof jacket, just in case! It’s better to be safe than sorry when going to Ireland.
#4 Don’t Worry About Meeting the Locals
Don’t think you’ll get out of Ireland without meeting a few locals. Irish people are incredibly friendly, and they will come talk to you and strike up a conversation. They love to dish out advice on their hometown, with recommendations, advice and funny stories.
#5 Don’t Believe the Bad Reputation of Irish Food
Irish cuisine has a reputation for being pretty bad, but it’s gotten much better in recent years, and it’s not bad at all. The foodie revolution has arrived in Ireland; even the classic Irish foods are delicious!
Watch: What to Eat in Ireland
#6 Don’t Forget To Drive on the Left
Driving in Ireland is on the left side of the road. If you really want to explore Ireland at your own leisure, you’ll need to rent a car and be prepared to drive. Just remember to drive on the correct side of the road.
#7 Don’t Forget to Look Right
As a pedestrian, you still have to remember that they drive on the left, so be sure to look right before crossing the street!
#8 Don’t Expect an Automatic Transmission Rental Car
When you rent a car in Ireland, don’t expect to receive an automatic. Most rental cars are still manual transmission, or stick shift. If you have to have an automatic, you’ll pay a hefty surcharge, so it’s a good idea to learn how to drive a stick shift before your Ireland vacation.
#9 Don’t Freak Out About Driving
Driving in Ireland can be a bit unnerving, but don’t freak out about it. Besides driving on the left, and shifting from what feels like the passenger seat, the roads in Ireland are super tiny, with hedges right up to the road. Sometimes it will feel like there’s not enough room for an oncoming car. It’s OK to slow down and take it easy while driving in Ireland.
Read: What to Know About Renting a Car in Europe
#10 Don’t Blindly Pull off the Road to Take Photos
Not only are the roads in Ireland narrow, but they are also winding. As you drive around, you’ll see castles and fields of sheep, and you’ll want to pull over and take photos. Don’t get into an accident doing this; make sure both lanes of traffic are clear, or wait to see if you can find a designated pullout.
#11 Don’t Mess Around on Medieval Staircases
When you are visiting castles and ruins in Ireland, many of them have small, steep steps, so be very careful. If you are visiting Ireland with kids, know that some of these attractions have height requirements, so do the research ahead of time to see what’s allowed.
#12 Don’t Expect to Have Kids in the Pub after 9pm
Pub culture is a big part of going to Ireland, and many people bring their kids to the pubs for dinner. However, there’s often a curfew for kids in pubs, so around 9pm, most families clear out. If you want to eat dinner in a pub, be sure go early.
#13 Don’t Skip the Local Brews
Ireland is the home of Guinness, Smithwick’s and Murphy’s, and they taste so much better (fresher!) when you have them in Ireland. But there are tons of other local beers you should try, too.
#14 Don’t Overdo it at the Pub
While you are sampling those local beers, remember the alcohol content can be significantly higher than what you are used to drinking. This is why you’ll see so many tourists who can’t seem to hold their liquor. Don’t be one of those tourists stumbling around Temple Bar.
#15 Don’t Tip for Pints at the Pub
Tipping is not expected at the pubs in Ireland. If you really want to leave some coins, you can, but tipping in Ireland is not customary like it is in other countries.
#16 Don’t Drink in Public
Drinking is a popular past-time in Ireland, but surprisingly, drinking in public is not allowed, and you can get a find for doing so.
#17 Don’t Forget Your Manners
You will hear “please,” “thank you,” and “sorry,” so many times in Ireland. The people in Ireland are so polite and their manners are impeccable.
#18 Don’t Be Offended by Cursing
Despite those impeccable manners, the Irish love to cuss. It doesn’t matter if it’s a little kid, or someone’s grandma, you’re going to hear a lot of cursing in Ireland.
#19 Don’t Try to See All of Ireland in One Trip
Yes, Ireland is a fairly small country, but there are too many thing to cram into one week vacation. Try to spend a few nights in each location rather than moving to a new spot every way, which can be exhausting. It’s best to pick a region of Ireland and spend some quality time exploring the sights.
#20 Don’t Pay Too Much Going to Ireland
One of the best parts of visiting Ireland is finding cheap flights. You can almost always find great deals for Ireland airfare, and it’s usually significantly cheaper than flying anywhere else in Europe from the U.S. When you save so much on airfare, your vacation money will go much farther.
#21 Don’t Worry About Safety in Ireland
The 70’s and 80’s may have seen some dark days in Ireland, but these days it’s very tourist-friendly and safe to visit Ireland. The biggest safety concern in Ireland will be driving on the left. Of course, the usual travel common sense rules apply, especially if you are out in the wee hours of the night.
#22 Don’t Call Irish People English or British
One thing that will upset an Irishman is to call them English or British. It’s a different country entirely, and there’s a long history there, so make sure you only call them Irish!
#23 Don’t Confuse the Currency in Ireland
If your Ireland vacation includes Northern Ireland, you’ll need pounds, while the Republic of Ireland is on the Euro. ATM’s are plentiful if you forget, but if you plan to visit both, be prepared to carry two currencies.
#24 Don’t Miss Gaelic Sports
If you have the chance to check out a Gaelic sports match, don’t miss it! Whether it’s hurling, Irish football or rugby, sporting matches in Ireland are crazy! They are super passionate about their sports in Ireland.
Don’t let these “don’ts” scare you off. Ireland is really a fantastic country; with lots of things to do, awesome food and friendly people. Have you been to Ireland? Feel free to add more “don’ts” in the comments below! For more travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos: