Ireland
Dramatic Atlantic cliffs, ancient castles, vibrant Dublin pubs and the Wild Atlantic Way
Best Deal of Ireland
Overview
Things To Do
Deals
Travel Guide
Ireland is one of the UK's most accessible holiday destinations, just 1 hour by air from London or under 2 hours via ferry from Wales — making it ideal for short breaks and longer touring holidays alike. Located across the Irish Sea between Great Britain and the Atlantic Ocean, Ireland combines vibrant city breaks in Dublin and Belfast with the dramatic Wild Atlantic Way coastline, ancient castles and emerald countryside. Family holidays thrive around interactive heritage sites and beaches in Kerry and Clare, while couples holidays favour scenic drives along the Ring of Kerry and Causeway Coast. Golf holidays, walking holidays and whiskey-trail tours add further depth. With direct flights from over 20 UK airports and a shared language, Ireland offers effortless touring for first-time visitors. Johnson Holidays offers ATOL-protected Ireland holidays and short break packages from multiple UK airports.
✨ Why Visit Ireland
- The Wild Atlantic Way is Europe's longest defined coastal route — 2,500km from Donegal to Cork, taking in the Cliffs of Moher, Slea Head and the Dingle Peninsula in a single signed touring itinerary.
- Dublin combines literary heritage with a world-famous pub scene — the Book of Kells at Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse and Temple Bar's live music venues sit within a 20-minute walk of each other.
- Ireland has more castles per square kilometre than almost anywhere in Europe — from Blarney Castle's famous stone to Kylemore Abbey's lakeside Gothic Revival architecture, the castle density rewards even short touring itineraries.
- The Causeway Coastal Route delivers Northern Ireland's geological showpiece — the Giant's Causeway's hexagonal basalt columns and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge are both UNESCO-recognised and within an hour of Belfast.
- A genuinely shared language and currency familiarity for UK travellers — English is universal, the Euro is straightforward, and the short flight time makes Ireland one of the lowest-friction European holidays available.
- Game of Thrones filming locations add a modern cultural layer — the Dark Hedges, Ballintoy Harbour and Cushendun Caves in County Antrim attracted millions of fans to locations that were previously little-visited.
? What Makes It Special
Unlike Scotland or Wales, Ireland offers an entirely separate national identity, currency and culture within an equally short flight or ferry journey, giving UK travellers a genuine "abroad" feeling with none of the language barrier. Unlike France or Spain, the landscape is dominated by dramatic Atlantic coastline rather than Mediterranean beaches — the Cliffs of Moher, the Skellig islands and the Causeway Coast offer a rawer, more elemental scenery experience. Unlike most short-haul European destinations, Ireland's pub culture is woven into everyday life rather than confined to tourist zones — live traditional music sessions happen spontaneously in village pubs across the country. The combination of UNESCO geology, castle heritage, world-class brewing history and the Wild Atlantic Way within a 1-hour flight makes Ireland uniquely convenient for short breaks and touring holidays alike.
? Key Areas to Explore
- Dublin — Ireland's capital, with Trinity College's Book of Kells, the Guinness Storehouse, Temple Bar and Georgian architecture around St Stephen's Green.
- County Kerry — the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula scenic routes, Killarney National Park and the UNESCO-listed Skellig Michael island.
- County Clare — home to the Cliffs of Moher, the limestone Burren landscape and traditional music sessions in Doolin's pubs.
- Galway — a colourful university city on the west coast, gateway to Connemara's mountains and the Aran Islands.
- County Antrim (Northern Ireland) — the Causeway Coastal Route, Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and Dark Hedges Game of Thrones filming location.
- Belfast — Northern Ireland's capital, with the Titanic Belfast museum, a revitalised Cathedral Quarter and murals documenting the city's history.
- Cork & Blarney — Ireland's second city, with the English Market and nearby Blarney Castle, home to the famous Blarney Stone.
From Atlantic cliffs and ancient monasteries to whiskey distilleries and Game of Thrones filming sites, Ireland packs extraordinary variety into a short flight from the UK.
?️ Nature & Outdoor Activities
- Walk the Cliffs of Moher coastal path (County Clare) — a signed clifftop trail with views to the Aran Islands and Galway Bay; the visitor centre is built into the hillside itself.
- Hike Croagh Patrick (County Mayo) — a 764m pilgrimage mountain climbed by 100,000 people annually, with panoramic views over Clew Bay's islands.
- Cycle the Great Western Greenway (County Mayo) — a 42km traffic-free trail from Westport to Achill Island along a disused railway line; bike hire from €20/day.
- Kayak Killary Fjord (County Galway) — Ireland's only true fjord, with guided sea kayak tours beneath the Mweelrea mountains from €40pp.
?️ Beaches
- Inch Beach (Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry) — a 5km sandy spit between mountains and Atlantic surf, used as a Ryan's Daughter filming location.
- Curracloe Beach (County Wexford) — the Saving Private Ryan landing-scene location, with 11km of dunes and Blue Flag status.
- Keem Bay (Achill Island, County Mayo) — a sheltered horseshoe cove between cliffs, with calm turquoise water and basking shark sightings in summer.
- Tramore Strand (County Waterford) — a 5km Blue Flag beach with promenade amusements, popular with families for safe swimming.
?️ Food & Drink
- Order Irish stew — slow-cooked lamb, potatoes and root vegetables; the definitive Irish comfort dish, served in traditional pubs nationwide for €14–18.
- Try a full Irish breakfast — rashers, sausages, black and white pudding, eggs and soda bread; available at any guesthouse or café from €10–14.
- Drink a pint of Guinness poured the traditional two-part way at a Dublin pub — the 119.5-second pour is genuinely part of the experience.
- Visit the Jameson Distillery Bow St. (Dublin) — Ireland's original whiskey distillery, with tastings and a whiskey-blending session from €25pp.
? Nightlife & Entertainment
- Temple Bar pub crawl (Dublin) — Dublin's most concentrated live traditional music venue district, with sessions starting from early evening nightly.
- Cathedral Quarter (Belfast) — Belfast's revitalised nightlife district, with live music bars, craft breweries and a strong arts festival calendar.
- Set dancing nights in Doolin (County Clare) — traditional Irish music sessions in village pubs that regularly turn into impromptu set dancing.
- Galway's Latin Quarter (Galway City) — cobbled streets of buskers, traditional pubs and live music venues open until late nightly.
? Instagram-Worthy Spots
- The Dark Hedges (County Antrim) — an avenue of intertwined beech trees made famous as the Kingsroad in Game of Thrones.
- Kylemore Abbey reflected in its lake (Connemara, County Galway) — a 19th-century Gothic castle on the shores of Pollacapall Lough.
- Dunluce Castle ruins (County Antrim) — a clifftop medieval castle perched dramatically above the Causeway Coast, partially collapsed into the sea.
- Ha'penny Bridge over the Liffey (Dublin) — Dublin's iconic 1816 pedestrian bridge, especially atmospheric at dusk with city lights reflected below.
Best Value Deals
? All-Inclusive Holidays
All-inclusive resorts in the traditional sense are rare in Ireland — the country's hotel culture is firmly bed-and-breakfast and dinner-inclusive packages. Castle hotels including Ashford Castle (County Mayo) and Dromoland Castle (County Clare) offer full-board luxury packages combining accommodation, dining and activities from £450pp per night. For UK travellers, flight-and-hotel packages with breakfast included from major operators start from £149pp for 3 nights in Dublin in shoulder season.
???? Family Holidays
Ireland is excellent for families with children of all ages. Dublin's Zoo, the interactive EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum and the Wax Museum engage children aged 6 and above. The Great Western Greenway cycle path and the beaches of Tramore and Curracloe suit younger children. Westport House (County Mayo) combines a stately home with a dedicated kids' adventure park including pirate-themed water activities.
? Luxury Holidays
Ireland's luxury hotel tier centres on its castle hotels. Ashford Castle in County Mayo — a 13th-century estate on Lough Corrib with falconry and a Michelin-recommended restaurant — and Adare Manor in County Limerick — a neo-Gothic mansion with a championship golf course that hosted the 2027 Ryder Cup — represent the country's five-star benchmark. Dromoland Castle in County Clare offers a similarly grand experience close to Shannon Airport.
⏰ Last-Minute Deals
Ireland's short flight times and high frequency of UK services create strong last-minute availability, particularly for Dublin city breaks. Savings of 20–30% on hotel-and-flight packages within 2 weeks of departure are realistic outside major events. St Patrick's Day (17 March) and major rugby international weekends fill Dublin hotels months ahead — book well in advance for these dates.
Why Book with us:
? Low deposits from £49pp
? Flexible payment plans with balance due 6 weeks before travel
?️ ATOL Protected — your money and flights are fully safeguarded
✏️ Free amendment window on selected packages
? UK-based customer support, 8am–11pm every day
? Best Time to Visit Ireland
May to September offers the most reliable weather, with temperatures of 15–20°C and the longest daylight hours — June days last until nearly 22:00. May and September are the best shoulder months, combining good weather with lower prices and fewer crowds at major sites like the Cliffs of Moher and Giant's Causeway. July and August are warmest but busiest, particularly along the Wild Atlantic Way. Winter (November to February) is mild but wet and windy, with temperatures of 5–9°C; Dublin and Belfast remain enjoyable city-break destinations year-round, while coastal touring routes are best avoided in poor weather. Ireland's weather is famously changeable in any season — pack for rain regardless of month.
? Where to Stay
- Families: Westport (County Mayo), Tramore (County Waterford)
- Couples: Dingle (County Kerry), Kinsale (County Cork)
- Luxury seekers: Ashford Castle (Mayo), Adare Manor (Limerick)
- First-timers: Dublin city centre
- Walkers & nature: Doolin (County Clare), Connemara (County Galway)
? Getting Around
A hire car is the best way to explore Ireland beyond Dublin and Belfast — the Wild Atlantic Way and Causeway Coastal Route are not well-served by public transport. Car hire from Dublin Airport starts at €25/day. Driving is on the left, as in the UK. Irish Rail connects Dublin to Cork, Galway and Belfast with journeys of 2–2.5 hours from €20pp. Within Dublin, the LUAS tram and Dublin Bus cover the city centre efficiently; a Leap Card offers discounted fares. Ferries from Wales (Holyhead to Dublin, 2 hours) and Scotland (Cairnryan to Belfast, 2.5 hours) are practical alternatives to flying, particularly for those bringing a car.
? Travel Tips
- Plug type: Ireland uses Type G (three-pin, same as the UK) — no adaptor needed for UK travellers.
- Currency: Republic of Ireland uses the Euro (€); Northern Ireland uses Pound Sterling (£) — check which side of the border you're visiting.
- Tipping: Not obligatory but appreciated — round up taxi fares and leave 10% in restaurants if service was good.
- Weather: Pack waterproofs regardless of season — Ireland's weather can change within hours, even in summer.
- Driving distances: Roads can be narrow and winding, particularly in rural Kerry and Connemara — allow more time than GPS estimates suggest.
- Border crossing: The border between the Republic and Northern Ireland is open with no checks, but remember the currency change.
Map Of Ireland
Top Experiences
The Cliffs of Moher at Sunset
214m sea cliffs stretching 8km along the Atlantic; the O'Brien's Tower viewpoint offers panoramic views to the Aran Islands; entry €9pp.
Guinness Storehouse Tour
Seven floors tracing 260 years of brewing history, ending at the Gravity Bar with 360-degree views over Dublin; entry €26pp, book ahead.
Ring of Kerry Scenic Drive
A 179km circular route past Killarney National Park, Ladies View and the Skellig Ring; allow a full day, drive anticlockwise to avoid coach traffic.
Skellig Michael Boat Trip
A UNESCO-listed 6th-century monastic island, famous as a Star Wars filming location; boat trips run May to September, weather-dependent, from €100pp.
Giant's Causeway
40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by volcanic activity 60 million years ago; a UNESCO World Heritage Site; entry €15.50pp including visitor centre.
Temple Bar District at Night
Dublin's cobbled cultural quarter with live traditional music in every pub; The Temple Bar pub itself dates to 1840 and stocks over 450 whiskeys.
Top Hotels In Ireland
Explore other Destinations & Resorts of Ireland
Travel Information
Everything You Need To Know Before You Jet Off To Ireland.
Other Hotels In Ireland
Browse Our Wider Selection Of Hotels