7 things you need to know before traveling to Ireland (to avoid surprises)

What is the weather like in general?

Ireland has a temperate oceanic climate, which means that the winters are not extremely cold nor the summers too hot. However, humidity and wind are constant throughout the year.

🔹 The positive:

• The weather is rarely extreme, allowing you to enjoy the island at any time of year.
• The constant rain keeps the landscapes green and vibrant.
• In summer, the days are very long, with up to 18 hours of daylight.

🔹 The negative:

• The weather is constantly changing; you can go out in the sun and come back soaked.
• Light rain and wind can render umbrellas useless.
• In winter, the lack of sunlight (with days lasting only 7-8 hours) can affect mood.

⏳ Key tipIn Ireland, there's no such thing as "bad weather," just "bad clothing." The important thing is to be prepared. 

Recommended website for checking your temperature ➡️ Official website of the Meteorological Service

 🌸 Spring (March – May): The Green Awakening

📌 Average temperature: 8-15°C
📌 Longer days and first flower buds
📌 Occasional rain, but less than in winter

👕 What clothes to wear?
✅ Light or waterproof coat
✅ Layered clothing (may be cool in the morning and warm at noon)
✅ Waterproof footwear

🎯 Recommended plans:

• Explore the Cliffs of Moher without the summer crowds.
• Enjoy festivals like the Saint Patrick's Day (March 17).
• Hiking trails with the landscapes in full bloom.

☀️ Summer (June – August): long, mild days

📌 Average temperature: 15-22°C (but can reach 25°C on hot days!)
📌 Late sunsets (until 11:00 p.m. in June)
📌 Less rain, although there are still cloudy days

👕 What clothes to wear?
✅ Light clothing, but with a jacket for the evenings
✅ Sunglasses and sunscreen (yes, it's sunny in Ireland too)
✅ Comfortable walking shoes

🎯 Recommended plans:

• Relax on the beaches of Dingle or Galway.
• Attend festivals such as the Galway International Arts Festival.
• Take a road trip through the Wild Atlantic Way.

🍂 Autumn (September – November): golden landscapes

📌 Average temperature: 10-15°C
📌 Stronger winds and more frequent rains
📌 The trees change to reddish and golden tones

👕 What clothes to wear?
✅ Waterproof and windproof jacket
✅ Scarf and hat for the coldest days

🎯 Recommended plans:

• Visit castles with an autumnal atmosphere, such as Kilkenny or Blarney Castle.
• Enjoy the original Celtic festival: Halloween in Derry.
• Try the Irish coffee in a cozy pub.

❄️ Winter (December – February): cold, but not extreme

📌 Average temperature: 2-8°C
📌 Short days (it gets dark at 4:30 p.m. in December)
📌 Rain and occasional snow in the interior of the country

👕 What clothes to wear?
✅ Thick coat and thermal clothing
✅ Gloves and hat (the wind can be very cold)
✅ Compact umbrella (although in strong winds, it won't be of much use to you 😅)

🎯 Recommended plans:

• Tour the Christmas markets in Dublin, Galway and Belfast.
• Enjoy a pint of Guinness next to a fireplace in a pub.
• Take a tour of the Giant's Causeway without the summer crowds.

If it's your first time in Ireland, one of the first things you'll notice is that driving on the leftThis can be a big challenge for those coming from countries where driving is on the right, but with a few tips and precautions, you'll quickly get used to it.

🌍 Where does this custom come from?

Driving on the left is not exclusive to Ireland, but is a tradition inherited from the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries. Originally, in medieval times, knights drove on the left side to keep their swords on their right side and defend themselves in case of attack. Later, when the first roads were created, this habit became the norm.

Today, only the 35% in the world drive on the left, Ireland being one of the few European countries with this rule.

⚠️ Key tips to avoid problems

🚶‍♂️ Pedestrians: Be careful when crossing the street!

🔹 Always look to the right first before crossing.
🔹 Many streets in Dublin have writing on the ground “Look Right” to remind you.
🔹 Use pedestrian crossings and traffic lights, especially in areas with heavy traffic.

🚲 Bicycles: a good way to practice

🔹 If you're worried about driving on the left, riding your bike first can help you adjust.
🔹 Be especially careful when turning and at traffic lights, where it's easy to get confused.

🚗 Renting a car in Ireland: what you need to know

If you are driving for the first time in Ireland, Keep these essential points in mind:
✅ The steering wheel is on the right, and gear changes are operated with the left hand.
✅ Roundabouts are taken clockwise., the opposite of many countries.
✅ Secondary roads can be very narrow., especially in the countryside.
✅ The speed limit is measured in kilometers per hour (km/h) in the Republic of Ireland, but in miles per hour (mph) in Northern Ireland.
✅ Insurance is mandatory, and many companies require credit card to rent a car.

Although Ireland is part of the European Union, does not belong to the Schengen area. This means that even if you have already entered Europe through another country (such as Spain, France or Germany), you're going to have to go through immigration again upon arriving in Ireland.

🔍 What does this entail?

• You're going to have to show your passport again.

• In many cases, you may also be asked for proof of:

  • Accommodation

  • Exit ticket

  • Travel insurance

  • Sufficient funds

• If you are coming from another European country by plane or ferry, have everything at hand as if it were your first entry to the continent.

✈️ Useful tipMany travelers are surprised to see internal immigration controls in Europe, but this is completely normal in Ireland (and the UK as well).

If you come from a Spanish-speaking country, one of the first things you will notice in Ireland is that meal and departure times are much earlierWhile in Spain or Latin America it's normal to have dinner at 9 or 10 p.m., in Ireland everything happens earlier: We have dinner early, we leave early… and we return early.

Here's a guide to help you avoid being caught off guard. ⏳

🍽️ Mealtimes in Ireland

✅ Early dinnerIn Ireland, as in other Anglo-Saxon countries, Dinner is served around 5 or 6 in the afternoon. This means that:

• Restaurants begin serving dinner from 4 PM.
• At 8:30 PM Many establishments are already closing their kitchens.
• If you want to dine out, book early or go early.

🔹 Key tipIf you arrive at a restaurant at 9 PM expecting to have a quiet dinner, you probably won't get served.

🍻 Pub timetable

In Ireland, going to the pub is a very important social activity, but Don't expect the night to start at midnight like in Spain or Argentina..

✅ Recommended time to go to the pub: Between 5 PM and 9 PM.
✅ Live shows usually end at 9 PM (although some extend a little further).
✅ The Irish begin to retire early, so if you arrive at a pub at 11 PM, chances are the atmosphere is already dying down.

🔹 Key tip: If you want to enjoy the lively atmosphere, Go early and take advantage of the “after work”.

🚌 Public Transport: Don't Get Stranded!

A key detail when going out at night in Ireland is that Public transport stops running quite early.

🚍 Bus schedules:

• Most city buses make their last run between 11 PM and 11:30 PM.
• There is no night service on most routes. 

🚋 LUAS (tram) timetables:

• Days of the week: Last service at 11:30 PM.
• Saturdays: Last service at 12:30 AM.

🔹 Key tip: If you leave late and miss the last bus or LUAS, Be prepared to walk or pay for a taxi/Uber.

📌 Quick summary: What time does everything get done in Ireland?

• 🍽️ Dinner: Between 5 and 7 PM.
• 🍻 Go to the pub: Between 5 and 9 PM (after that time, it empties).
• 🎶 Live music: Generally ends at 9 or 10 PM.
• 🚌 Last buses and LUAS: Between 11 and 11:30 PM (Saturdays until 12:30 AM).

You've already got your itinerary ready... but how can you make your day in Dublin even better? Here are some practical tips that might come in handy. 👇

🥾 If you're traveling by bus, get your Leap Card as a tourist on the first day you arrive.

Especially if you're going to be there for several days. Getting around by taxi can be extremely expensive.

🌦️ Bring a jacket or coat with a hood, preferably to protect yourself from the rain.

Even if the sun is shining, it can rain at any moment. A lightweight jacket or compact umbrella is always helpful.

🍀 Get a central location if possible.

Dublin is an easy city to walk around if you're staying in the city center. This is especially beneficial at night if you're planning to hit the party bars.

💬 Irish kindness is real, embrace it

Don't hesitate to ask for help on the street, in a store, or on the bus. Most Irish people are very friendly and willing to lend a hand if they see you're lost.

🚌 Plan your journeys between cities well.

Ireland has good transportation, but it's not as frequent as in other European countries. If you're going to places like the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, or Belfast, check schedules in advance or consider organized tours.

📍 Have you visited any of these pubs? Tell us about your experience in the comments and share your recommendations. See you at the next toast in Dublin! 🍺🇮🇪