Ireland: A melting pot of tradition, conviviality and dynamism in a remarkable natural setting

The vagaries of Irish weather

True to its reputation, the Irish weather is unpredictable and often rainy. If you're the kind of person who gets demotivated by a little drizzle, Ireland may not be the destination for you...

In any case, an umbrella or parka will enable you to visit the Irish must-sees.

Temperatures are relatively mild all year round, rarely dipping below 0°C.

In summer, the sun comes out to visit the Irish. On these rare occasions, it's a great opportunity to enjoy a picnic with the locals or to throw yourself into the Atlantic waves on the country's magnificent beaches.

Getting around Ireland

Thanks to the Éireann bus network, you can go from small village to small village without stress. For longer journeys, we recommend the Irish Rails train network, which provides easy access to Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway.

For all your journeys in Ireland, don't hesitate to consult the Transport for Ireland trip planner.

Ireland: what are the cultural particularities?

The pub is the traditional, almost daily meeting place for drinking, singing and chatting. Even the smallest village has its own pub, and the locals liven up the streets every evening by going there. Don't expect to drink your beer alone: the Irish are very chatty and rather affable. Every year on 17 March, the whole country celebrates St Patrick's Day, the patron saint who evangelised Ireland in the fifth century. Fireworks, street performances, parades, dancing (ceili) and songs bring the towns and villages to life in a spirit of good humour. Please note: since 29 March 2004, smoking has been banned in public places, including pubs and restaurants.

Ireland: travel tips

Tour operators offer a wide range of products for Ireland: weekends in Dublin, tours and self-guided tours in the west of the country. The weekend package is ideal for a short getaway: if you want maximum autonomy, choose a package that includes car hire. As for the tours, they allow you to discover the country's major attractions (Dublin, Galway, Connemara and the Dingle Peninsula) in the space of a week. These are issued locally by the Fisheries Boards and tackle retailers. The owners of the waters may also ask you to pay a fishing fee calculated per rod and per day. Find out before you cast your hook! Hunters should remember to apply for their firearms import permit, two months before the date of their stay, from the National Parks and Wildlife Service in Dublin. Tel: (01) 661 31 11.

Souvenirs to bring back from Ireland

As well as whisky, you can bring back a wide range of natural textile clothing from Ireland, such as tweed jackets, scarves and caps, coarse woollen cable-knit jumpers, or make your own directly from wool. The shops are open from 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday.