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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
Passport / Visa
The guide was updated: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
Useful Information
Digital Travel Guide Download
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
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Telephone
Country code: +353
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Electricity
230v/50Hz
Socket type: G
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