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Europe Ireland Irish Islands Tourist Information Best Time to Visit

Overview

Best Time to Visit

The guide was updated: 2024-09-16

Some of the islands can be very busy during summer, which is high season (July and August in particular). The best time to visit in order to find decent weather and fewer crowds is during late spring and late autumn, but it has to be noted that the Irish Islands are beautiful all year round.

Useful Information

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

Passport / Visa

Passport / Visa

Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) and Switzerland can enter Ireland without a visa. Citizens of a further 56 countries, including many in the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and more are also visa-exempt. A short-stay visa waiver programme allows visitors of certain nationalities to enter Ireland visa-free if they are in possession of a UK type "C" visa, and have gone through initial immigration clearance in the UK. Holders of a Residence Card of a family member of a Union citizen, or of a red United Nations laissez-passer also enjoy a visa exemption. For those who do need a visa, one should be applied for in advance via an Irish embassy or consulate closest to them. Some nationalities also require a transit visa, even if they do not plan to leave the airport en route to their final destination. Check whether you need a visa, and what prerequisites and fees may apply: www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/check-irish-visa

Best Time to Visit

Best Time to Visit

Some of the islands can be very busy during summer, which is high season (July and August in particular). The best time to visit in order to find decent weather and fewer crowds is during late spring and late autumn, but it has to be noted that the Irish Islands are beautiful all year round.

General Advice

General Advice

The islands are fully exposed to all of nature’s elements, so their terrains are mostly rugged and the seas surrounding them can sometimes be wild. Always take the greatest care during your excursions. Also, wear layered clothing and sensible shoes and prepare for the particular island journey you are planning. For instance, while some of the islands are populated, easy to reach and have a full range of services from accommodation to catering facilities, others are uninhabited and remote with no services. Generally, if travelling to an island with little or no services you should bring your own food and necessary supplies. Your licensed boat operator will be your best source of information and advice. Finally, please leave the islands as you have found them, taking nothing but photographs and leaving nothing but footprints. Respect monuments, habitats, dwellings, stone walls, plant and wild life. Dispose of any litter in bins or bring it with you from the islands.

Airports

Airports

Depending on which islands you want to visit and whether you don't mind a long journey, you can arrive at one of the following airports: Donegal Airport (CFN), County Donegal www.donegalairport.ie Dublin Airport (DUB), Dublin www.dublinairport.com Shannon Airport (SNN), County Clare www.shannonairport.ie Ireland West International Airport at Knock (NOC), County Mayo www.irelandwestairport.com Cork Airport (ORK), County Cork www.corkairport.com Kerry Airport (KIR), County Kerry www.kerryairport.ie All the airports are served by Bus Éireann. For more information, check on www.buseireann.ie Taxis and car rental are also usually available at the airports.

Ferries

Ferries

It is always advisable to check sailing times with the ferry or boat operator before travelling and to book your journey in both directions in advance, or as advised by the boat operator. All sailings are weather dependent and often subject to demand.

Pharmacy

Pharmacy

You should be able to find pharmacies on bigger islands, but sometimes it might be necessary to move to the mainland. There, pharmacies can be found in every town and they are usually marked by a brand logo. General working hours are from 9am to 17.30pm, but they can change according to the pharmacy. You can use the link below to locate a pharmacy in your area.

Driving

Driving

If you intend to rent a car in Ireland, make sure to familiarise yourself with the Irish road rules. In particular, pay attention to the speed limits: 120km on motorways; 100km on national roads; 80km on regional and local roads; 50km in a built-up area. Also remember that, unlike in other countries, you'll be driving on the left-hand side of the road. However, when going to an Irish Island, note that most ferries don’t take cars and, considering how small most of the islands are, you won’t need one there anyway.

Post

Post

Postal services in Ireland are provided by An Post. Many islands have at least one post office, but sometimes it might be necessary to move to the mainland. You can use the link below to locate the nearest post office. General post office hours are from 9am to 5.30 pm during weekdays and from 9am to 1pm on Saturday. Larger towns might have extended hours.

Telephone

Telephone

Country code: +353

Electricity

Electricity

230v/50Hz Socket type: G

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