Key takeaways
Ireland combines a vibrant capital in Dublin with one of Europe's most dramatic coastlines, ancient Celtic heritage, medieval castles and a warmly welcoming pub culture. Three Ireland leads with 94 percent population 5G coverage (best network 2026 per Opensignal); Vodafone Ireland and Eir complete a strong three-operator market. All EU SIM cards enjoy Roam Like At Home rights in Ireland. A Roamix Ireland eSIM activates on arrival at Dublin Airport (DUB) and provides seamless connectivity from city to coast. Budget 4 to 6 GB for one week.
- Three Ireland leads with 94 percent population 5G coverage and was ranked best network in Ireland in 2026 by Opensignal.
- EU SIM cards roam free in Ireland under the EU Roam Like At Home regulation; non-EU travellers benefit from a Roamix eSIM.
- Dublin has excellent 5G coverage; the Wild Atlantic Way and rural west have strong 4G on main roads but can be patchy on remote cliffside roads.
- A Roamix eSIM activates on arrival at Dublin Airport and connects to the best available local network.
- The Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, Connemara and the Dingle Peninsula all have reasonable 4G on tourist routes.
Best way to get data in Ireland
For non-EU travellers, a Roamix eSIM is the most convenient option, providing seamless access from Dublin arrivals through every coastal cliff, castle and country pub stop.
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Roamix eSIMRecommended | Best for: Most travellers | Instant activation on arrival at Dublin Airport, no SIM kiosk visit and connects to Three Ireland's best-in-class 5G network with no roaming bill. |
| EU roaming (if you have an EU SIM) | Best for: EU travellers with a compatible home plan | EU Roam Like At Home covers Ireland fully; no extra charge applies on most EU operator plans. |
| Local Irish SIM | Best for: Extended stays needing a local number | Three Ireland, Vodafone and Eir tourist SIMs are available at Dublin Airport and throughout the city. Three Ireland PAYG offers very competitive data packages. |
| Hotel and pub wifi | Best for: Stationary use in Dublin or at B&Bs | Excellent and widespread; reliable in most Irish accommodation and virtually all pubs. |
Free wifi is widely available in Dublin hotels, cafes, pubs and most accommodation. Rural B&Bs throughout Ireland now almost universally have wifi. Isolated self-catering cottages may have limited or satellite connections. Almost all Irish pubs offer free wifi.
How much data you need
Data needs in Ireland are moderate for city travel and standard Wild Atlantic Way touring. Offline map downloads before each day's rural driving are a sensible precaution. Dublin use is similar to any major European capital.
2 to 3 GB
Dublin city break (3 to 5 days)
5G navigation, pub research, DART and bus real-time apps and social uploads in a well-connected capital with good hotel wifi.
5 to 7 GB
One-week Ireland circuit: Dublin, West Coast, Cork
Daily navigation across rural roads, ferry bookings for Aran Islands, Cliffs of Moher weather checks and continuous social uploads from scenic stops.
10 GB or more
Remote work stay in Dublin or Galway
Video calls on 5G, large file transfers and continuous online access from co-working spaces or hotel.
Data per hour, by activity
- Maps and navigation
- 5 MB
- WhatsApp messaging and calls
- 5 to 15 MB
- Social media and browsing
- 100 to 150 MB
- Music streaming
- 70 MB
- Video calls
- 500 MB to 1.5 GB
Download offline Google Maps for the Ring of Kerry, Connemara, the Dingle Peninsula, the Burren and Donegal before each driving day. The TFI app for Dublin transit works best with live data.
How to set up a Ireland eSIM
A Roamix Ireland eSIM is best installed over wifi before departure. It activates automatically on arrival at Dublin Airport (DUB).
- 1
Buy your plan on the Roamix Ireland eSIM page before departure.
- 2
Scan the QR code or tap to install the eSIM over wifi.
- 3
Label it Roamix and keep your home SIM as primary for calls and texts.
- 4
Enable data roaming for the Roamix line only.
- 5
Land in Dublin and the eSIM connects automatically to Three Ireland, Vodafone or Eir.
Works on eSIM-capable phones including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy models. The phone must be carrier unlocked.
Roamix sets the correct APN automatically on most devices. If data does not start on arrival, apply the APN from your order and toggle airplane mode.
No data on arrival usually means data roaming is off for the Roamix line. Check settings and select the network manually if needed.
Visa and entry for Ireland
Ireland is an EU member state but is NOT in the Schengen Area; it has its own border controls and the Common Travel Area (CTA) with the UK. Citizens of EU/EEA countries, the US, Canada, Australia and many others can enter visa-free for up to 90 days. UK citizens have free movement under the CTA.
- eVisa or ETA
- No e-visa or ETA is currently required for most Western nationalities. An ETIAS pre-travel authorisation for EU/Schengen is NOT required for Ireland as Ireland is not part of Schengen. UK citizens enter under the CTA with no border formalities.
- Passport validity
- Your passport should be valid for the duration of your intended stay. EU citizens can use their national ID card.
- Onward ticket
- Proof of sufficient funds and return or onward travel may be requested at the border, particularly at Irish airports from non-EU travellers.
Keep your travel documents and accommodation confirmations accessible on your phone. Use your Roamix eSIM to pull up booking confirmations on arrival at Dublin Airport.
Entry rules can change. Confirm current requirements at the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) before booking. Note that crossing into Northern Ireland (UK) involves a different jurisdiction but no border controls.
When you land in Ireland
0 of 5 done
How people message here
WhatsApp is widely used alongside standard SMS. Most Irish businesses and accommodation hosts respond readily to WhatsApp or email.
Do you need a local number?
A local number is not required for most tourist visits. WhatsApp with your home number covers all B&B, tour operator and activity communication.
Download your accommodation contacts before heading into remote Connemara or Donegal; WhatsApp messages will send when you briefly get signal, but you need the numbers saved offline.
Airports in Ireland
DUB
Dublin Airport
Dublin
Free wifi is available throughout both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Fast and reliable across all departure gates.
Activate your Roamix eSIM before landing to navigate from Dublin Airport into the city on the Airlink Express bus or DART and contact your accommodation on arrival.
ORK
Cork Airport
Cork
Free wifi throughout the terminal. Three Ireland signal is strong throughout Cork Airport.
Cork is the gateway to the Ring of Kerry, Blarney and the Beara Peninsula. Use Roamix data to navigate from Cork Airport to the city and book your Ring of Kerry hire car before departure.
SNN
Shannon Airport
Shannon, County Clare
Free wifi in the terminal. Smaller than Dublin but well equipped for transatlantic arrivals.
Shannon is the closest airport to the Cliffs of Moher (45 minutes) and the Burren. Use Roamix data on arrival to navigate to Doolin or Lahinch and book your Cliffs of Moher visitor centre entry time.
KIR
Ireland West Airport Knock
Knock, County Mayo
Small regional airport with basic wifi. Eir and Three Ireland have decent signal in the Mayo area.
Knock is the gateway to Connaught, Achill Island and the west coast. Use Roamix data to navigate to Westport or Ballina and check road conditions for the Achill Island drive.
Apps and internet access in Ireland
Ireland has a fully open internet, so all common apps work normally on a Roamix eSIM.
There are no internet restrictions in Ireland. All social media, messaging and streaming services work without any VPN.
WhatsApp, works
Widely used across Ireland; fully available alongside standard SMS.
Google Maps, works
No restrictions; excellent mapping across Ireland. Download offline maps for Connemara, Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula before driving remote roads.
Social media, works
Instagram, Facebook, X and all platforms work normally.
FaceTime and video calls, works
Works on 5G and 4G in Dublin and major towns. Some remote coastal and mountain areas can be patchy.
Getting around Ireland
Ireland has Irish Rail (mainline and DART coastal service), Dublin Bus, Luas trams in Dublin and Bus Eireann regional coaches. Self-drive is the most practical way to explore the Wild Atlantic Way, Ring of Kerry and rural areas. Dublin is walkable and has good public transport. A Roamix eSIM is useful for real-time transit information, ferry bookings and navigation.
Irish Rail and DART
Irish Rail connects Dublin Heuston and Dublin Connolly with Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Sligo and Tralee. The DART commuter rail serves Dublin's coast. Check schedules and buy tickets on the Irish Rail app over Roamix data; advance purchase fares are significantly cheaper.
Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus
Bus Eireann coaches connect Dublin with all major provincial towns. Dublin Bus covers the capital comprehensively. Use the Transport for Ireland (TFI) app over Roamix data for real-time bus arrivals and journey planning throughout Ireland.
Self-drive rental car
Renting a car is the most practical way to explore rural Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way. Drive on the left. Download offline Google Maps for all rural routes before setting out from Dublin or Cork; remote Kerry and Connemara roads can be briefly off-grid.
Ferries to islands and UK
Aran Islands ferries depart from Rossaveal (Connemara) or Doolin. Irish Ferries and Stena Line connect Dublin and Rosslare with Wales and France. Book ferries over Roamix data; island ferries can be cancelled in rough Atlantic weather.
In Dublin, the Luas tram (Red and Green lines) and DART commuter rail are the fastest ways around. Buy an integrated Leap card at the airport for discounted bus, Luas and DART fares. For rural driving, be prepared for very narrow single-track roads with passing places; take them slowly.
Money and payments in Ireland
Ireland uses the euro (EUR). ATMs are widespread and cards are accepted almost universally. Northern Ireland (UK) uses the pound sterling (GBP); your euro card will be charged in GBP if you cross the border.
- Cards and cash
- Cards are accepted in virtually all Dublin restaurants, shops and attractions. Rural pubs, craft shops and some farmers markets may prefer cash or have minimum card amounts. Carry a small amount of EUR for these situations.
- ATMs
- Bank of Ireland, AIB and Ulster Bank ATMs are widespread in cities and towns. Airport ATMs are convenient but check fees; bank ATMs generally offer better rates than currency kiosks.
- Payment apps
- Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted in Dublin and most Irish towns. Contactless card and phone payment is standard at virtually all supermarkets, restaurants and shops.
- Tipping
- Tipping in Ireland: 10 to 15 percent is appreciated at sit-down restaurants; checking for service charge before tipping. Pub bar staff are not typically tipped on individual drinks; a tip after a long session is appreciated. Tour guides and taxis: round up or tip EUR 5 to 10 for good service.
Daily budget
Dublin is expensive by European standards. Budget travel in Dublin costs EUR 70 to 100 per day including a hostel and local food. Mid-range hotel visits and restaurants run EUR 120 to 200 per day. Rural B&B stays with breakfast in Kerry or Connemara can be excellent value at EUR 60 to 90 per person per night.
Local tips for Ireland
- Language
- English is the everyday language throughout Ireland. Irish (Gaeilge) is the first official language and spoken natively in the Gaeltacht areas of the west and northwest (Connemara, Donegal, Kerry). Road signs in Gaeltacht areas appear in Irish only without English translations; download offline maps before entering these areas.
- Food
- Ireland has undergone a food renaissance: Dublin's restaurant scene rivals London for quality with chefs such as Derry Clarke at L'Ecrivain. Classic Irish food includes Irish stew (lamb, potato, carrot), soda bread, full Irish breakfast, Guinness and oysters (especially at the Galway International Oyster Festival), smoked salmon from the west coast and the outstanding cheese scene (Cashel Blue, Coolea, Durrus).
- Plugs
- 230V, Type G plugs
Apps worth having
TFI (Transport for Ireland)
transit
Official app for all Irish public transport: real-time bus arrivals in Dublin and provincial cities, DART times, Luas tram updates and long-distance Bus Eireann journey planning.
Irish Rail
transport
Book and manage train tickets, check live departure times, and access your digital ticket for all Irish Rail mainline and Dart services.
Google Maps
navigation
Download offline maps for the Ring of Kerry, Connemara, Dingle Peninsula and Donegal before driving; essential for narrow rural roads where signal can be briefly absent.
Safety and health in Ireland
Ireland is one of the safest countries in Europe for tourists. Crime rates are low nationwide. Dublin city centre has standard European pickpocketing risks in very crowded tourist areas. Rural Ireland is extremely safe. The main risks are road safety on narrow country roads and unpredictable Atlantic weather on cliff paths.
- Stay reachable
- Keep your Roamix eSIM active for navigation and emergency contact throughout Ireland. The emergency number 999 (or 112) works from any network. On wild coastal cliff paths, stay well back from edges; Atlantic winds can be sudden and severe.
- Health
- Medical facilities in Ireland are excellent. EU citizens with an EHIC card have reciprocal access to Irish public hospitals. Travel insurance is recommended for non-EU visitors. Dublin has major hospital campuses including St James's and the Mater.
- Tap water
- Tap water in Ireland is safe to drink everywhere. Irish tap water comes from reservoir and groundwater sources and meets EU drinking water standards.
Networks and coverage in Ireland
Ireland has a competitive three-operator market with strong coverage across most of the country. Three Ireland is the largest operator and 2026 Opensignal best network award holder, with the widest 5G footprint at 94 percent population coverage. Vodafone Ireland provides excellent nationwide breadth; Eir (formerly eircom, formerly Meteor) is the state-linked incumbent with strong rural infrastructure. A Roamix Ireland eSIM connects you to the best local network on arrival at Dublin Airport.
Three Ireland
Ireland's largest operator by 5G coverage, with 94 percent population 5G coverage and 2026 Opensignal best network ranking. Excellent in Dublin and all major cities; strong on Wild Atlantic Way main roads and tourist corridors.
Vodafone Ireland
Nationwide operator with very broad 4G coverage across rural Ireland, including many agricultural areas and small towns not well-served by Three. Strong roaming backbone in rural Connaught and Munster.
Eir
State-linked incumbent with deep rural 4G infrastructure through the National Broadband Plan investments. Particularly strong in rural Connacht and Ulster. Good coverage along the Dingle Peninsula and Connemara main roads.
- Typical speeds
- 5G in Dublin delivers 50 to 200 Mbps. 4G LTE averages 20 to 60 Mbps nationally. Wild Atlantic Way coastal areas average 15 to 40 Mbps where 4G is present.
- 5G
- Three Ireland has the widest 5G at 94 percent population coverage. Vodafone Ireland and Eir also have 5G in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick. Rural and coastal areas are primarily 4G LTE.
Three Ireland is the best all-round choice for Wild Atlantic Way travel on the main tourist routes. For the very remote Donegal coast and far Connemara, Vodafone has marginally better rural breadth. In Dublin all three perform excellently.
Very remote parts of the Wild Atlantic Way, including parts of the Beara Peninsula, Achill Island interior, north Donegal sea cliffs and some Connemara bogs, can have limited or no signal. The west of Ireland is generally well covered on main roads but road-tripping on tiny single-track R and L roads can result in signal gaps. Ireland uses standard European LTE bands (B3, B7, B20, B28) and 5G sub-6GHz. All modern unlocked smartphones are fully compatible. Type G sockets (UK three-pin) require the same adapter as in the UK.
Where to go in Ireland
Ireland is a compact island of extraordinary variety: Georgian Dublin with its literary and pub culture, the prehistoric megaliths of the Boyne Valley, the limestone wilderness of the Burren, the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, the islands of Galway Bay, the Ring of Kerry and the remote Dingle Peninsula. Connectivity follows population; the Wild Atlantic Way is well-covered on main routes.
Best time to visit
May to September is the most reliable period for weather and daylight. June and July are warmest. April and May are beautiful for spring green with fewer crowds. October brings dramatic Atlantic weather but the colours of the Wicklow Mountains are exceptional.
Dublin and the East Coast
The capital and largest city, with Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Temple Bar, the Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol, Phoenix Park and a world-class pub and restaurant scene. The Wicklow Mountains are 30 minutes south; the prehistoric Boyne Valley passage tombs (Newgrange, Knowth) are one hour north.
- Trinity College and Book of Kells
- Guinness Storehouse
- Temple Bar
- Kilmainham Gaol
- Newgrange Megalithic Passage Tomb
Exceptional 5G coverage throughout Dublin. All three operators have peak network density in the city centre, DART line and Port Tunnel route. The M50 motorway and east coast are fully covered.
The Wild Atlantic Way and West Coast
Europe's longest defined coastal touring route, stretching 2,500 km from Donegal to West Cork, with the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands, Connemara, Achill Island, the Dingle Peninsula and the Blasket Islands among its highlights. The route is signed throughout and passes through some of the least-changed Irish-speaking (Gaeltacht) communities.
- Cliffs of Moher
- Connemara National Park
- Achill Island
- Slieve League cliffs Donegal
- Dingle Peninsula and Slea Head
Main Wild Atlantic Way routes have solid 4G from Three Ireland and Vodafone. Tiny coastal back roads, clifftop car parks and sea-facing headlands can have patchy signal; always download offline maps before each day's drive.
Cork and Munster
Ireland's second city with a food market culture built around the English Market, craft beer scene (Franciscan Well, Elbow Lane), the coastal suburb of Cobh (historic emigration port) and a 90-minute drive to the Ring of Kerry. Kinsale is Ireland's gourmet capital. Blarney Castle is nearby.
- English Market Cork
- Ring of Kerry coastal route
- Blarney Castle
- Kinsale harbour and restaurants
- Cobh cathedral and emigration museum
Excellent 5G in Cork city. Strong 4G throughout Munster along the N25, N71 Ring of Kerry road and the Beara Peninsula main roads. Very remote Beara interior and Mizen Head can have gaps.
Galway and Connacht
The cultural capital of the Irish West, with a lively arts scene on Shop Street, the Galway Races, the Aran Islands (Inis Mor, Inis Meain, Inis Oirr) accessible by ferry, Connemara bogs and mountains, and Clonmacnoise monastery on the Shannon.
- Aran Islands (Inis Mor)
- Connemara National Park
- Kylemore Abbey
- Galway city food and arts scene
- Clonmacnoise monastic site
Strong 5G in Galway city. Three Ireland and Vodafone cover main Connemara roads and the N59. Aran Islands have reasonable 4G (Three Ireland is strongest). Very remote Connemara bog roads can be patchy.
Donegal and Ulster (Republic)
Ireland's most northerly county in the Republic, with the highest sea cliffs in Europe at Slieve League (601 m), the Glenveagh National Park, Fanad Head lighthouse, the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) communities of the Gweedore Peninsula and the sandy beaches of Bundoran and Rossnowlagh.
- Slieve League cliffs
- Glenveagh National Park
- Fanad Head lighthouse
- Malin Head (northernmost point of Ireland)
- Arranmore Island
Vodafone and Eir have the strongest coverage in rural Donegal. Three Ireland covers Donegal town and Letterkenny well. Very remote north Donegal sea cliff viewpoints and Tory Island can have limited signal.
Off the beaten path
Ireland's most visited natural attraction: 214-m vertical cliffs of Namurian sandstone stretching 8 km above the Atlantic, with O'Brien's Tower at the highest point, nesting puffins and razorbills on the rock faces, and views south to the Aran Islands and the twelve Bens of Connemara on clear days.
Signal: Three Ireland provides reasonable 4G at the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre and car park. The cliffside path has variable signal; download maps offline at Doolin before walking.
Ireland's most famous scenic drive, circumnavigating the Iveragh Peninsula in 179 km with the purple MacGillycuddy's Reeks (Ireland's highest mountains) to the north, the Skellig Islands visible offshore, the colourful village of Sneem and the wild Ballinskelligs Bay on the west.
Signal: Three Ireland and Vodafone provide solid 4G along the N70/N71 Ring of Kerry main road. Very small coast roads off the ring have patchy signal; download the ring route offline at Killarney before departure.
A pyramidal rock rising 218 m from the Atlantic, with a 6th-century early Christian monastery of beehive stone huts (clochans) clinging impossibly to the upper ledges, accessible by 618 ancient stone steps from the small landing pier. Also the filming location for the Star Wars Ahch-To scenes.
Signal: No mobile coverage on Skellig Michael. The rock is at sea and any signal depends on reaching the Kerry coast towers. Download your confirmation and all information before boarding at Portmagee.
A 5,200-year-old megalithic passage tomb older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, with a roof box precisely aligned so the rising sun illuminates the inner chamber for 17 minutes at the winter solstice. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important prehistoric monuments in Europe.
Signal: Three Ireland and Vodafone provide good 4G at the Bru na Boinne visitor centre near Donore. The site is 45 minutes north of Dublin.
A 2,000-hectare national park of bogland, lake and mountain at the heart of Connemara, with the iconic Diamond Hill (445 m) circuit providing panoramic views over the Twelve Bens range, Killary Harbour fjord and the Atlantic. Connemara ponies roam freely on the upper bog.
Signal: Three Ireland and Eir provide reasonable 4G at Letterfrack village (park headquarters). Mountain trails above 200 m can be patchy. Download offline maps for the Diamond Hill circuit before leaving Clifden.
One of Ireland's most beautiful peninsulas, with Dingle town's legendary pub and seafood scene, the Slea Head Drive past Iron Age forts (Dunbeg) and beehive huts (clochan), Fungie the dolphin's bay, the Blasket Islands, and the westernmost inhabited point of Ireland.
Signal: Three Ireland has the best coverage on the Dingle Peninsula main roads. The Slea Head Drive single-track road has intermittent signal. Download the Slea Head loop offline before departing Dingle town.
A 250-sq-km limestone karst plateau of extraordinary botanical richness, where Arctic, Alpine and Mediterranean wildflowers grow side by side in the cracks of the grey limestone pavements. Poulnabrone Dolmen (a 5,500-year-old portal tomb) stands alone in the pavement; Ailwee Cave and Caherconnell stone fort add context.
Signal: Three Ireland provides reasonable 4G across the Burren main roads (N67, R480). Remote limestone pavement interior tracks can be patchy. Download Burren maps before leaving Ballyvaughan.
Ireland's best-preserved medieval city, with Kilkenny Castle (12th century, beautifully restored), the Black Abbey, St Canice's Cathedral with its 9th-century round tower, the Smithwick's Experience and the Kilkenny Arts Festival. Ireland's craft capital with pottery, glasswork and jewellery studios throughout the city.
Signal: Three Ireland and Vodafone provide strong 4G and 5G in Kilkenny city centre. The castle and medieval street are well covered.
At 601 m above sea level, Slieve League is among the highest sea cliffs in Europe, nearly three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher but visited by a fraction of the tourists. The One Man's Path ridge walk is exposed and exhilarating; the view from the Bunglass viewpoint is one of Ireland's finest.
Signal: Vodafone and Eir have the best coverage in Donegal along the R263 to Teelin village. The upper Slieve League cliff path has intermittent signal from all operators. Download maps before leaving Killybegs.
A 6th-century monastic settlement founded by St Kevin in a glacier-carved valley in the Wicklow Mountains, with a perfectly preserved 30-m round tower, two lakes, multiple roofless stone churches and some of the most atmospheric early Christian ruins in Europe, only 60 km south of Dublin.
Signal: Three Ireland and Vodafone provide solid 4G at Glendalough and along the R756 through the Wicklow Mountains. The upper lake trail has intermittent signal.
Events and seasons in Ireland
March 17
St Patrick's Day Festival
Dublin and nationwide
Ireland's national day is celebrated with the world's most famous St Patrick's Day parade through Dublin city centre, festival stages at College Green and Merrion Square, light projections on major buildings and four days of events including céilí dancing, theatre and street performances. Every Irish town holds its own parade.
May to September
Wild Rover Tour Season
Ring of Kerry, Wild Atlantic Way and west coast
Ireland's main touring season draws millions of visitors to the Wild Atlantic Way, Ring of Kerry and west coast. The summer season from May to September is when all tourist attractions, island ferries, cliff walks and outdoor activities are fully operational and at their most vibrant.
July
Galway International Arts Festival
Galway city
One of Europe's leading arts festivals, transforming Galway over two weeks in July with theatre, street spectacle, visual art, music and new commissions at venues including the Galway Town Hall Theatre, Druid Lane and outdoor stages throughout the city.
August
Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann
Rotating Irish host town
The world's largest Irish traditional music festival, drawing over 500,000 visitors to the host town for 8 days of competitions, sessions and performances across all categories of traditional music, song and dance. The Fleadh rotates between Irish towns (recent hosts include Mullingar, Drogheda and Ennis).
August
Kilkenny Arts Festival
Kilkenny city
A 9-day arts festival transforming Ireland's medieval capital with classical music, literature, visual art, theatre and comedy at Kilkenny Castle, Butler House gardens, the Cathedral and medieval venues across the city.
August to September
Electric Picnic Music Festival
Stradbally, County Laois
Ireland's largest music festival, held over three days at Stradbally Hall in County Laois, with multiple stages headlined by international acts across rock, electronic, folk and dance, plus the famous Body and Soul and Electric Arena stages and outstanding food village.
September
Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival
Galway city
The world's longest-running oyster festival (since 1954), celebrating the start of the west coast native oyster season with the World Oyster Opening Championship, gala dinners, seafood trails through Galway restaurants and the festival hub at the Spanish Arch waterfront.
September to October
Dublin Theatre Festival
Multiple theatres, Dublin
One of Europe's oldest theatre festivals (founded 1957), presenting a curated programme of new Irish and international productions at the Abbey Theatre, the Gate, the Gaiety and smaller fringe venues over two weeks in autumn.
September to October
Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival
Lisdoonvarna, County Clare
Europe's largest singles festival, dating from the 19th century, held over 4 weeks in the spa town of Lisdoonvarna in the Burren, with traditional matchmaking (conducted by professional matchmaker Willie Daly), céilí dances, ballads and country music in the pubs.
October (last weekend)
Cork Jazz Festival
Cork city
The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is the largest jazz festival in Ireland, held over the October bank holiday weekend with over 1,000 acts performing across pubs, concert halls and outdoor stages throughout Cork city, from traditional jazz and swing to contemporary and Latin jazz.
Through the year
- Spring
- March to May brings rapid warming and spectacular green, with St Patrick's Day festival (March 17) being the biggest event. April and May are excellent for sightseeing before peak summer crowds. Wildflowers in the Burren peak in May. Puffins return to coastal cliffs from late April.
- Summer
- June to August is Ireland's warmest and busiest season, with temperatures of 15 to 22C and long daylight hours (sunset after 10pm in June). All attractions, island ferries and outdoor activities are fully open. Book well in advance as tourist capacity fills. Atlantic weather can still bring rain showers at any time.
- Fall
- September and October bring dramatic Atlantic weather, stunning colours in the Wicklow Mountains and a significant drop in tourist numbers. The Galway Oyster Festival (September), Cork Jazz (October) and Dublin Theatre Festival are autumn highlights. Temperatures drop to 8 to 14C by October.
- Winter
- November to February is cold (3 to 8C) and wet with short days. Dublin Christmas markets, St Stephen's Day (boxing day) racing at Leopardstown and the Christmas Eve atmosphere in traditional pubs are uniquely Irish winter experiences. The Wild Atlantic Way is dramatic in winter storms but many tourist facilities close.
Working remotely from Ireland
Dublin and Galway are strong remote work bases with excellent 5G, a well-developed co-working sector (Dogpatch Labs, Glandore, WeWork), excellent coffee culture and a growing digital economy. Rural Ireland has good B&B wifi for lower-intensity work.
- Connection
- Three Ireland 5G in Dublin delivers 50 to 200 Mbps for video calls and large uploads. A Roamix plan with 8 to 10 GB covers a full working week alongside sightseeing.
Dogpatch Labs at the CHQ Building in Dublin's IFSC and the Glandore co-working network across Dublin and Cork are well-rated nomad spaces. Many Galway cafes and pubs in the arts quarter have wifi strong enough for working sessions.
