home Feeder A history of tourism in Ireland. Characteristics of the country's tourism industry

A history of tourism in Ireland. Characteristics of the country's tourism industry

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As stated earlier, tourism revenue in Ireland is 1 billion Irish pounds.

We can say that in Ireland they know how to use the resources given by nature and created by people. All opportunities for attracting tourists are used. Roads - autotourism, cycling, horse-drawn transport. Railway network - travel by train. The stunning beauty of the landscape of the country - hiking... Rich water resources - all kinds of fishing, water travel. Archaeological and architectural monuments - educational tourism. This list is quite long and it is not possible to give it completely.

The situation with tourism in Ireland is such that it is enough for a tourist to have only money, a guidebook and documents with him. Friendliness local residents who are well aware of the importance of tourism, a developed network of accommodation, food and transportation will do the rest for it. This indicator (whether a traveler can visit the country on his own, without the help of a tour operator) is the best way to characterize the level of tourism development in Ireland.

According to Bord Failte (Tourism Board of Ireland), leading Western tour operators are expanding their presence in the Irish market. If earlier the leadership in sales of tour packages belonged to sea and air carriers, today their positions are being squeezed out by operators specializing in organizing city excursion tours.

Gresta Holidays is considered one of the leading operators selling inclusive tours. Last year she carried 30 thousand passengers, and this year she intends to surpass the 40-thousand mark.

According to Jane Williams, the company's marketing manager, Dublin has become the third most visited capital in Europe after Paris and Amsterdam. Gresta Holidays offers its clients accommodation in 25 Dublin hotels.

Tour operator Travelscene has released its new Cities and Drivetime brochures highlighting Ireland. The number of hotels he sold increased from nine to seventeen. Time Off has significantly expanded its reception options in Dublin and also offers programs outside of Dublin.

Self-Guided Tours in Ireland remain very popular, says Ashley Woods, Irish Selection Program Manager.

Aer Lingus offers tourists summer programs in partnership with Drive Ireland, a renowned travel operator in Ireland.

Ferry companies Stena Line and Iris Ferries sell tour packages with transport in Dublin, as well as in the southwest and southeast of the country. Iris Ferries launched the Golf in Ireland brochure this year. Other new program this year - bike safaris. Its organizers intend to take advantage of the interest in the stage of the Tour de France, which will take place on the roads of Ireland in July. The weekly bike tour starts at £ 319 including bike rental.

Grystal bets on the sale of holiday villas and ancient castles... SeaCat offers boat trips and Blakes offers Irish canal tours.

Over the past 10 years, an investment of 1.5 billion Irish pounds has been invested in the construction of new and modernization of existing hotels in Ireland. Large funds are being invested in other tourist attractions - parks, golf courses, water parks, etc. A special brochure, Update Ireland, prepared by the Irish Tourist Board, is devoted to the description of new attractions.

Time

Ireland is in the UTC + 0 time zone, so local time lags behind Moscow time by 3 hours in summer and 4 hours in winter. Together with most European countries, Ireland is switching to daylight saving time: 1 hour forward on the last Sunday in March and back on the last Sunday in October.

In summer, the sun rises at 06:00 and sets at 21:30. In winter, the sun rises at 08:00 and sets at 17:00.

Climate

Foggy Albion is better known abroad than its Irish neighbor, but fundamentally they are no different - the same dull temper due to the cloudy sky and rainy weather. Moreover, in the west of the country, precipitation falls almost twice per year.

The temperate oceanic climate makes weather in Ireland volatile throughout the day. Winter in Ireland is quite mild, but summer is not much warmer: the air temperature on the southern coast warms up to only + 16-20 ° С. In winter, the temperature is around + 5-8 ° C.

Planning a vacation in Ireland is best for the summer, when there is less rain, and untouched nature all in bloom.

Population

The population of Ireland is about 3.9 million people, of which more than 1 million live in the capital Dublin. 88.6% are Irish of the Celtic ethnic group. The rest of the population is represented by immigrants from Scotland, England, Asia and Africa.

Device

Ireland is a parliamentary republic led by a president.

There are 26 counties in the country: Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Carlow, Dublin (with the capital of the same name in it), Kildare, Kilkenny, Layish, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, West Meath, Wicklow, Wexford, Kerry, Claire, Cork, Limerick, Tepperery, Waterford, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo.

Language

The official languages of the country are Irish and English. About 20% of Irish residents speak French. And for the tourism sector, two international languages are quite enough.

English-speaking tourists will not need phrase-books, since more than 90% of the population speaks English as their native language, the rest just very well. Irish is much less common, but the authorities are painstakingly working towards a complete replacement of English with Irish.

Money

Ireland is part of the eurozone, therefore the euro is recognized as the national currency here. National symbols are used in the design of the coins, which distinguishes them from the monetary units of other EU member states.

It is most profitable to change money in banks (there is the most attractive rate), it is also possible in travel agencies, hotels, exchange offices, you can withdraw euros from an ATM from a plastic card. They change both cash and Euro checks.

Customs

Any amount of foreign currency can be imported into Ireland, it must be declared regardless of the amount. You can take out no more than indicated in the entry declaration.

Information on duty-free import of popular goods (subject to payment of the necessary duties in the EU countries):

Tobacco products: 800 cigarettes;

Alcohol: 25 liters of wine, 50 liters of beer;

Perfumery: 50 ml of perfume, 250 ml of eau de toilette.

Personal items up to € 175 are also imported duty-free.

Visa

Ireland is not part of the Schengen area, so you cannot enter a country with a Schengen visa from another state. To cross the Irish border, you need a passport and a national visa, which can be obtained from the Irish Embassy. After submitting the documents, the request is considered within 30 days.

The list of documents provided includes:

International passport,

Official invitation,

Extract from the place of work,

3 photos,

Check of payment of consular stamp duty.

The questionnaires are filled in only in English.

An Irish visa is only valid for the Republic of Ireland and cannot be used to enter Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom or Great Britain).

Comprehensive information on the required documents and conditions for obtaining an Irish visa can be obtained on the website of the Irish Embassy in Moscow: http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=87487

Health care

Medical services are at a very high level, but with corresponding prices - they are much higher than the European average.

Health insurance is not required to issue a visa, but visa officers can still insist on getting it. In addition, insurance will allow you to minimize hospitalization costs, which makes your vacation in the country safer.

For assistance, you must go to hospitals. A visit to the doctor is carried out by appointment, where the time and place of arrival will be appointed.

For residents of the UK and citizens of the rest of the European Union, medical services are provided on special conditions.

Behavior rules

Patriotism is a national trait of the Irish, brought up by long centuries of not too happy relations with England. The Irish people treat their traditions with great care and attention, last years the Irish language is actively promoted.

In dealing with foreigners, the Irish are quite careful, but polite and always ready to help. Many Irish people are not indifferent to equestrian sports, horse racing, they can discuss horses for a long time and with pleasure, this is an excellent topic of conversation. Not to mention Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Ireland has a ban on smoking in restaurants, hotels, pubs, game rooms and cinemas.

When visiting high-end restaurants, cafes and pubs, it is not necessary to leave a tip as it is included in the service price. In other cases, it is customary to leave a tip in the amount of 10-12% of the order amount.

Most of the country's inhabitants are Christians, although this is not conspicuous in the tourism sector. There are usually no restrictions on clothing, but in conversations it is better to avoid topics of other religions, atheism, abortion, and in general anything that does not fit into the circle of interests of a righteous Christian.

sights

Wonderful nature - emerald fields, meadows and mysterious forests - combined with medieval castles, ancient cathedrals and fortresses, enchant with their splendor and beauty. Walking in the clear air along the Irish Hills will allow you to admire the natural scenery and contemplate the skyline sunsets. It is here that you can experience the feeling of timelessness. There is no mass tourism in Ireland, but this is good - there are no crowds of tourists that create a characteristic background noise and prevent you from enjoying the pristine nature and ancient cultural monuments.

Due to the favorable climate, Ireland has an amazing combination of northern and southern vegetation. The coast of the island is indented by fjords and abounds in many picturesque bays. Great value for amateurs active tourism and rest represent transparent lakes and fast-flowing rivers teeming with trout and salmon. Spacious courses will delight golf lovers with an excellent game.

Dublin, the oldest capital in northern Europe, immediately mesmerizes amazing architecture XVIII century, wide streets, squares and magnificent mansions. The city breathes freely thanks to its many boulevards and squares. Fascinating and informative excursions will allow you to feel the life and customs of the Irish people.

Every serious travel guide will give you information on Irish landmarks such as St Anne's Cathedral, Ayluia Caves, Adir Village, Bowyle Abbey, Blairney Castle, Fort Don Iinis, St Patrick's Cathedral, Museum of Heraldry, Dublin Cathedral, King John Castle, Stone, Gardens Poorscourt, Kerry Cruise Loop, Gline Castle, Slonmachois Monastery, Mountusher Gardens, Mount Scrabaugh, Westport Mansion, Terrace Giants, Carrike-a-Reed Ropeybridge, Cashel Cliff, Fort Graynan Eilich, the Marble Arbutt Caves and Burial Arbor.

Holidays

Most of the holidays are associated with cultural events, religion and the history of the state. It's quite interesting to watch how they mark them local population... Each event is celebrated in its own way, each holiday has its own rules and customs. Cultural tourism in this country is a continuous holiday!

In Ireland, Christian and pagan holidays are celebrated, there are a lot of festivals and fairs, here are just a few of them. The Jazz Festival in February, the Early Music Festival in May, the Arts Festival in July, and the Oyster Festival in September, all in County Galway. In June, it is worth looking into County Kerry, where the Authors Week Literary Festival is held, and in parallel there is a beauty pageant in Tralee. In September, you can visit the Belfast Folk Music Festival and the Cork Film Festival; in October, the Irish Gourmet Festival and Jazz Festival are held in Cork, and the Theater Festival in Dublin. November - Wexford Opera Festival. Horse races are held all year round, in this small country 25 racetracks, and whenever a tourist comes to Ireland on vacation, he can always see this spectacle with his own eyes.

Brief information about public holidays and weekends in Ireland:

last Friday before Easter - Holy Friday

first Monday in May - Easter Monday

first Monday in June - June holiday

first Monday in August - August holiday

last Monday in October - October holiday

Traditional cuisine

Irish cuisine is renowned for its talented use of potatoes, vegetables, meat and salted cod. Seafood - crabs, oysters, mussels and fish - add national dishes refined taste. The trademark and face of the national cuisine are pot roasts and stews, which are definitely worth trying, no matter how short your vacation in Ireland is.

For dessert, Irish coffee, apple pie, potato cookies and delicious raisin muffins are worth a try.

Fans of strong drinks simply have to try the famous Irish whiskey, which tastes better than other brands of this drink in the world. And, undoubtedly, the brewing traditions are represented by the legendary Guinness brand.

Airports

International air traffic centers:

Dublin Airport is an airport in the capital of Ireland.

Emerald Island. A country where there are twice as many sheep as people, the grass is green both in summer and winter, and tomatoes barely have time to ripen by the end of August, even in a greenhouse. I fell in love with Ireland as a child from books and films for endlessly fresh green landscapes, ruins of castles in almost every village, for music and dancing, for the interest and desire of local people to study and support the history and culture of their country. I fell in love with all my heart and every year dreamed of getting there. My dream came true when I was 16. Since then, I return to Ireland every year.

Ireland is a small island. The main cities and the most interesting places can be visited in one and a half to two weeks. Here are just secrets and wonders hiding in the farthest corners of almost forgotten villages ... Probably, that's why I want to return there again and again and discover new ones, uncharted places.

Few travel agents offer travel purchases to Ireland. Most often it is individual tours by enough high prices... It is much easier and more profitable to organize the trip yourself, it is very easy to do it: the main thing is to have a great desire!

Collection of documents and obtaining a visa

An Irish tourist visa is much easier to obtain than an English one. At the same time, you need to be extremely careful when collecting documents.

First, you need to fill out an electronic form on the website of the Irish Consulate. There you can also find a guide to registration and a list of required documents.

Embassy of Ireland in Russia

All papers, together with a printed application form and photographs, must be taken to the visa department of the Irish Embassy in Moscow, which is located at the address: Grokholsky Lane, 5. There are no Irish embassies in other cities, but all documents can be sent by courier, personal presence is not required. If you nevertheless decided to take the documents yourself, then your station Prospekt Mira, from it to the house you need on foot, 7-10 minutes. The room is rather small, most of the time there are no queues. The staff are friendly and welcoming.

If your set of papers lacks any additional document necessary for obtaining a visa, for example, a copy of the inviting person's passport in case you are flying on a visit, most likely you will be offered to send the necessary papers by fax.

Terms of consideration and subtleties of visa processing

Documents are considered quickly enough. Most often, a visa is issued a week in advance, but the terms may change during the high tourist season, that is, in the summer.

Things to remember when collecting documents:

All hotels must be booked. If you are flying by invitation, it should say where you will spend the night. There must also be a confirmation of your return to your homeland (return ticket).
All documents must be translated into English language and notarized!
The Irish visa is valid only on the territory of the Republic of Ireland. If you want to visit northern part Islands, you must apply to the British Embassy.

By the way, with an English visa you can enter not only the territory of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but also the rest of the emerald island. However, this rule is valid only until October 2016. Details can be found on the websites of the Irish and British Embassies.

How to get there

Ireland is an island. Accordingly, you can get there either by plane or by ship.

By plane

The easiest way to get to Ireland is, of course, by plane. However, keep in mind the fact that you will most likely fly with a stopover. Direct flights from Moscow are operated by S7, but they do not happen every day, and the prices for such a flight are quite high.

Flight with a transfer

The most convenient way to fly is via France or the UK. For your peace of mind and ease of travel, buy tickets from one airline, i.e. when buying, enter the city of departure and the city of destination into the search bar (for example, Dublin).

The airline itself will offer you route options and transfer cities. Personally, it was always convenient for me to fly Air France with a change in Paris. Tickets cost about 16,000 rubles in both directions. True, on this moment Air France does not offer such prices. But a similar cost, if you're lucky, can be found on the website of the Dutch airline KLM. Accordingly, the transfer will be in Amsterdam.

From Moscow and St. Petersburg

You can get from Moscow or St. Petersburg to Dublin with a transfer any day, it all depends on which airline you choose. The list is pretty long. The most profitable and convenient offers are usually at:

Finnair connecting at, flight time 1.45 + 3 hours,
KLM with a change in Amsterdam, flight time 3.15 + 1.35 hours,
Air France with a transfer in Paris, flight time 3.55 + 2 hours,
Lufthansa with a transfer in Frankfurt, 3.20 + 2 hours.

Prices for all of these airlines are approximately the same, and besides, they are constantly changing. Most likely the flight will cost 20,000 rubles in both directions. The easiest way to compare prices and look for the best deals is on sites like SkyScanner or in the TravelAsk section.

From other cities

Of the others major cities It will be somewhat more difficult for Russia to get to Ireland. If you try, you can find tickets with one change (for example, from Yekaterinburg by the airline Turkish airlines across ). But the easiest way would be to take a ticket with two, that is, fly to the capital, and then to Dublin with a transfer in one of the EU countries.

You can look at options from your city on flight search sites.

Airports in Ireland

More or less major airports in Ireland there are cities such as:

Dublin (actually, the capital of Ireland),
Shannon (it is more convenient to fly there if you are going to start your trip around the island from cities such as or),
Cork (southern part of the island, from there it is easier to get to the Dingle Peninsula and the Ring of Carrie).

Well established between airports and cities transport connection(by Irish standards), buses run. There are other airports, but planes fly there much less often.

By train

Trains run from Moscow to Holyhead Harbor in Wales, where ferries leave for Dublin. There will be several sections of the path:

Train - (the cost will be about 20,000 rubles and more).
Train - (such a train goes quickly, the trip duration is only 2 hours 15 minutes, and tickets will cost from 35 € or 29 pounds and more).
Train - Holyhead (duration of the trip is approximately 4 hours, tickets cost about 48 € or 40 pounds, prices may vary depending on the selected date and time).

It will not be possible to save money with the help of trains, and in terms of time, the journey will be quite long. But you will be able to see clearly more than from the plane window. The main thing is not to forget to make the necessary visas!

By bus

If you don't really want to bother with finding and buying tickets for trains and ferries, you can fly to England and then buy a bus ticket. How, you ask? Is there an ocean?

In fact, the bus also travels on a boat. You just don't need to buy a separate ticket for it. For a price of 42 € (35 pounds) and above, you can be taken from one island to another by two companies:

Eurolines UK,
Megabus.

The ride, however, will take a long time: about 12 hours. But you can go out and walk in English towns at stops, which usually last about two hours.

Main routes on the way: M1, S8, A2, E40, M20, M40. The distance is about 3600 km. Travel time: 40 hours (approx).

For such a trip, you will need a Schengen and English visa. Well, and the visa of the Republic of Ireland in the event that at the time of your trip the program to visit Ireland with a UK visa is no longer valid.

On the way, you have to cross the sea twice: once by train (a ticket will cost about 200 € in both directions, the car is parked on a special platform) and once by ferry (from Holyhead Port to Dublin).

By ferry

In the event that you have an English visa, you plan to visit the UK and love to travel by boat, you can get to Ireland by ferry. There are many transport companies with regular ferry services, mainly to Dublin, Cork or Belfast (Northern Ireland).
The most famous are:

Irish Ferries,
Brittany Ferries,
Stena Line.

The journey takes 2 to 4 hours from Wales, England and Scotland, or up to 18 hours from France ( attention, you need a Schengen visa to visit France!). This option may seem interesting to those who do not like or are afraid to fly.

Buying tickets

Ferry tickets can be purchased at this. It is English-speaking, but it is quite simple to figure it out: drive in the city of departure and the city of destination, the number of passengers, transport (you can move on foot, or you can with your own car or bike) and voila! Then you just have to look at the price and choose a ticket.

So, for example, from Wales (Holyhead port) to Dublin and back can be reached for 81 € (68 pounds, price in both directions) by ferry of the Stena Line company. The trip will take just over 3 hours. Holyhead, in turn, can be reached by train from London.

Tourist regions

Ireland can be roughly divided into three tourist regions:

Dublin and surroundings.
Many significant and interesting places located in Dublin and suburbs. Dublin is the capital and most visited city in Ireland. From it you can easily and quickly get to the Malahaid Castle, national park Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough Valley, etc.

West Coast.
This region includes the territory from Limerick to the Connemara region. Main cities:, Ennis,. Here, the most visited sites include the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands and Keylmore Abbey.

Southern part of Ireland.
It is worth highlighting the Dingle Peninsula, the Ring of Carrie and the vicinity of the city of Cork. Major cities: Dingle, Tralee, Killarney, Cork.

You can see what hotels are offered in each of the regions by, but I usually book on Booking -. Private apartment options are presented in the Trevelask section.

Top cities

From my point of view, there are several cities in Ireland that you can't do without visiting. They are all different, big and small, but each is beautiful in its own way:

Islands

From the port near Galway, as well as from the lovely village of Doolin, you can take a small ferry to three wonderful islands:

Inishmore,
Inishman,
Inishir.

They are also called the Aran Islands. This is a favorite vacation spot for both visiting tourists and the Irish themselves. These islands, of course, cannot be called resort islands, but I would not refuse to build a dacha there. Eh, dreams!

Inishmore

It is the largest of the three islands and the most popular. In order to inspect the whole, one day is enough, but many want to stay there longer - it is so beautiful and cozy around. For those who are in no hurry to leave, there are small B & Bs all over the island that you can see.

The favorite mode of transport on each of the islands is a bicycle. Walking around on foot for a long time, but on an iron horse just right. Bicycle rentals are located right next to the pier, and the choice is quite large. You can find a walking bike, a high-speed bike, a mountain bike, a double bike, with a trunk, with a basket, with a trailer ... in general, for every taste! The price for renting a bike is approximately € 10-15. In addition, you will need to leave a small deposit, you can check it on the spot.

Cab drivers are also on duty at the pier. If you are too lazy to pedal, you can jump into the cart, and the assorted horse will make a circle around the island. And the good-natured Irishman will also lead a tour if he likes you. True, in English. Such a trip will cost more, I guess the approximate cost will be about 30-40 €.

A local landmark is located in the farthest part of the island. These are the cliffs just below the famous Cliffs of Moher. There are much fewer people, and the beauty is indescribable. You can lie on the edge for hours and not notice how time flies.

Inishir and Inishman

These islets are much smaller. However, there is also something to see. The system with bicycles still works, although it is quite possible to take a walk here.

The main occupation of local residents is animal husbandry. They mainly raise sheep, from whose wool threads are spun, and then a variety of products are knitted. The wool of the Aran sheep is famous throughout Ireland. You can buy sweaters, socks, hats and other things on any of the islands. Prices start at € 7 for basic items like socks, while larger items are much more expensive. Aran woolen socks have saved my life more than once in cold rainy weather.

How to get to the islands

The easiest way is to buy an excursion in the town. Tours can be bought at the tourist office, which is located near the bus station. The price includes, in fact, only transport - a bus from the city to the port and back + ferry to the island and back. You can choose any island.

Such tours take place every day, the price is about 30 €. There are discounts for students (you can prove that you are a student by showing an icic card. A Russian student ID card will not work: the Irish do not really want to understand what it is. But aisiks know and accept many places). Buses leave at around 9 am for the first ferry. The return ferry can be chosen depending on how much time you plan to spend on the island.

Top attractions

Cliffs of Moher.
What can most often be found in pictures or postcards. Insane height and stunning beauty. This is a place where you want to return again and again, lie on the edge of the cliff, gaze at the horizon and catch the salt spray that miraculously reaches the top along with the wind.
You can get to the cliffs from the city. However, it is also possible to book an excursion from other cities.

Guinness Factory.
Many have one of the first associations with Ireland - Guinness beer. Which, in general, is true: the beer was created here, and it is in great demand both among locals and among tourists, and many consider it almost a healing drink. It is said to be used as a vitamin for pregnant women and as a supplement for the finest Irish racehorses. Is it true or not?
The plant describes in detail the process of creating Guinness, as well as tells its story. At the end of the tour, you can taste this beer (or rather, stout) at the highest level of the plant-museum, in the Sky Bar.

Banratty Castle.
Nice medieval castle with a park around. You can walk along narrow staircases and corridors, wide and cold halls, climb the towers and also go down to dungeons. One part of the park is an open-air museum, a real life of history. A village where Irish hard workers walk the streets, where you can look into houses and see how who lives. Another part of the park looks like a zoo. In the open-air cages you can see a variety of animals, mainly domestic animals, as well as those found in Ireland. So, for example, deer graze in the meadows, and they guard houses and estates huge dogs, Irish Wolfhounds.

Kalemore Abbey
This palace was originally a private estate. A beautiful castle on the lake with a park around. Then monks settled there, and the estate turned into a monastery. The abbey is open to the public, you can walk both in the palace and in the surrounding areas, park and garden.

Blarney Castle.
Many travel to County Cork specifically to visit Blarney Castle. After all, it is there that the famous stone of eloquence is located! According to legend, the one who kisses this stone will acquire the ability to persuade anyone to do anything. The stone is built into the wall, so to reach it, you have to lie on the ground and hang down a little. However, there are always whole queues of those who wish.

Weather

Many people think that Ireland is something like or (even heard this!) Greenland. It's not all bad! Yes, it is raining in Ireland. Often. In summer, winter, autumn, spring ... So you should always have a raincoat or at least an umbrella with you. However, it usually rains quickly, and roads and earth dry up just as quickly, which is wonderful and surprising.

Very pleasant climate, it is never too hot (even like in Moscow in summer) or too cold (even like in Moscow in winter). The temperature in summer rarely rises above + 25 ° C and hardly drops below -3 ° C in winter. Snow is rare, and green meadows with sheep can be seen all year round. Be prepared for the fact that on the same summer day, you may need a warm sweater and a light T-shirt. The weather is changeable and can easily make fun of you.

The best season to visit Ireland is summer. Still warmer, and less rains.

Moving around the country

Transport in Ireland is well developed. Buses run to any more or less visited town, there are also trains (attention, there are not railway stations in all tourist cities!). In addition, you can fly from one part of the island to another (as well as to the Aran Islands) by plane.

Ticket prices

As I said, transport is quite expensive. Usually a bus ticket is much cheaper than a train ticket. However, if you look at the tickets in advance via the Internet, the situation becomes completely opposite. In any case, buying tickets in advance can save a lot.

For example: a bus ticket from Dublin to will cost about 15 €. A train ticket costs about 20 €. You will also have to pay about 15 € for a bus from Galway to Galway, but a train ticket will cost only 10 € if you buy it on the Irish Railways website. All prices indicated by me are approximate and change periodically. Check the ticket prices on the websites of the Irish transport companies or directly at the stations.

Hitchhikers

For hitchhikers: catching a car on the island is real! They stop often, people are mostly good-natured and welcoming. A couple of years ago, I was able to hitchhike around the island. Small difficulties arose only on the Cork - Dublin section, where the car had to wait for about two hours.

I have never come across a car rental, since I myself am not driving. However, those who travel in this way can read about car rental prices in the Travelask section.

Connection

Internet and WiFi hotspots in Ireland are much easier to find than in many European countries.

For example, free Wi-Fi can be used on Dublin city ground transportation. In many cafes and restaurants, Internet access is also provided free of charge, the same applies to hotels and hostels.

The easiest way to call Russia is to buy a SIM card from local telecom operators. These include, for example, vodafone, orange and three. You can also purchase an international sim-travel card in Russia in advance. It's cheaper than roaming.

Language and communication

Ireland is bilingual: Irish Gaelic and English. Although Irish is the official language and is always taught in schools, among themselves the Irish speak mainly English. Only in the most remote corners the green country can be found grandparents, for whom Gaelic is the main language.

However, even the English we are used to in Ireland sounds quite original. Not everyone speaks clearly and clearly, and the Irish pronunciation is legendary.

Simple phrases in the local language for those who are going to get lost in the Irish outback or surprise friends of the Irish:

Fáilte - Welcome!
Is mise ... (Is Misha) - My name is ...
Is as ... dom (Is as ... house) - I am from ...
Sláinte! (Elephant!) - To your health (toast)!
Tarrtháil! (Tarhail!) - Help!
Stad! (Stat!) - Stop!
Gura mile - Thank you.
Tá brón orm! (Ta bronorm) - Sorry.
Ní thuigim - I don't understand.
Slán (Slan!) - Bye!

But don't be scared :). The English we are accustomed to is the official one. All residents speak it, including among themselves. Rarely do you find people just chatting in Irish. Personally, I have never met.

Features of the mentality

The Irish are very hospitable people. Do not expect that if you get off the bus and look at the map, crowds of locals will immediately run to you to tell you where everything is and at the same time invite you home for a cup of tea. At the same time, if you are really lost, do not hesitate, they will definitely help you and they will tell you everything. The Irish can even offer you lodging in your house if you are in trouble and are left without a roof over your head - this was the case with me once, when I hitchhiked to some remote village I did not have time for the last bus to Dublin, and cars at night travels around the country a little.

Of course, do not forget that all people are different and even among the Irish you can find those who do not wish you well. Just be careful.

Food and drink

There are not as many differences between Russian and Irish cuisine as between Russian and Indian, for example. Irish cuisine is quite familiar to the Russian stomach, and you will not find new strange products in this country.

The Irish love to eat tasty and, most importantly, satisfying. Dishes can be characterized by the top that I present below.

Beverages

Separately, I would like to mention two favorite Irish drinks. Even if you are indifferent to beer, you should try it at least once.

Guinness

World famous stout. In Ireland, they will definitely tell you how and from what it is created, how to properly store it, pour it and drink it. And also you will find out that the same Guinness as in Ireland, you will not buy in any other country. The Irish produce two flavors of this stout, one for worldwide distribution and one for their beloved.

Cider

Favorite drink since ancient times! It seems that there is very little alcohol in cider (also called apple wine). It can carry away well from one pint, and it is as easy to drink as apple juice.

5 dishes worth trying

Irish breakfast.
Few nowadays eat hearty and hearty breakfast. But it has long been considered a very correct action! In cold countries, a full hot breakfast can help keep you energized for most of the day, so rest assured if you dare to try it, you will have plenty of energy to hike through the Irish hills and fields.
An Irish breakfast contains nothing foreign to our stomach: one or two scrambled eggs, beans, fried tomatoes, small fried sausages and a slice of bacon. A similar breakfast is also served in England - there it is, of course, called English.

Irish stew.
In our opinion, irish stew is the most common stew. The dish is extremely simple: meat stewed with vegetables (mainly potatoes). The main traditional difference is that meat and potatoes are cut very, very coarsely. It turns out in a rustic way tasty and satisfying.

Salty ice cream.
Such ice cream can be tasted in the town of Dingle in one of the coffee houses. There are a lot of species there, but this is the most famous one. The real sea salt is added to it, which is mined by hand right near the city.

Oysters and mussels at the Temple Bar.
The most famous bar in Dublin, which is located in the area of the same name, is the Temple Bar. They say the oysters and mussels are the best in town! I haven't tried it elsewhere, but at Temple Bar they are really magical. Especially if you order a pint of Guinness with them.

Toast with salted butter.
You don't eat Irish breakfast every day, there are too many things. Having lived for some time with an Irish family, I noticed that they always buy salted butter. And it's really delicious! Most of the days, my morning began with coffee and crispy hot toast with salted butter. Surprisingly simple and delicious.

Shopping

Ireland is not a shopping country. People come here for impressions, extraordinary views, wonderful photographs ...

Few people consider Ireland from the point of view of replenishing their personal wardrobe. However, in large cities you can find everything you need and take a promenade through the shopping centers.

What you need to know about shopping in this country

If you are considering Ireland as a country for productive shopping, it is worth considering buying clothes or local drinks. Household appliances in terms of quality and price are unlikely to differ for the better from other European countries.

Clothing in Ireland is relatively inexpensive. I remember I was able to buy a knitted vest with faux fur trim on the hood for only 6 €. My Spanish friends, who came to Ireland to study English, bought clothes in such a way that they had to send things to Spain by mail: it no longer fit into their suitcases.

When it comes to food and drink, Guinness, cider and whiskey are most often brought home from Ireland. Be careful with the packaging - transport only in your luggage, wrap the glass in soft things and towels so that the bottles do not break.

Shopping is easiest in large malls or specialty stores.

Top cities for shopping

The most realistic thing to do is to shop in the most big cities... These include Dublin, and Cork. There are large shopping centers, as well as streets with shops of famous brands in Europe.

What to bring from this country

Walking around Dublin, as well as in many other towns, it is impossible not to pay attention to the alluring Carols gift shops.

There you can buy almost any souvenirs related to Ireland - T-shirts, leprechaun hats, CDs with traditional music, backpacks, magnets, postcards, toys, mugs, jewelry, umbrellas, Guinness caramels and whiskey, pots of Irish clover seeds for germination etc.

It is very difficult to leave these stores empty-handed!

Vacation with children

Of course, it is better to travel to Ireland with older children who are used to a large number moving and walking.

At the same time, in every city there is something interesting for any child, be it a mini-zoo, a pony ride or meeting a princess in a castle. For example, in Dublin, the Leprechaun Museum will not leave indifferent either adults or children.

Safety

Ireland is a small and fairly calm country. Most of all you need to be in large cities (Dublin, Cork), especially in the evenings. In the summer at late time on the streets you can meet drunken youth walking, but, as a rule, the guys behave quite peacefully.

Arriving in Dublin by night bus at four in the morning, I came across a small number of homeless or simply drunk people spending hours until dawn near restaurants. Catering open around the clock. Seeing a non-local person in you, they may try to start communicating with you: offer the help of a tour guide in their own person, eternal friendship, or something like that. As a rule, they do not want anything bad, but they will not be able to say anything useful either. If you suddenly have a desire to communicate with them (well, you never know) - hold your bags and wallets tightly. Just in case.

Popular types of scams

Perhaps I'll write again that Ireland is a very peaceful country. There is rarely any kind of crime. However, here are some tips that can help keep you safe on your trip:

Keep personal items in sight. Especially on a walk along the streets of large cities. Theft is everywhere, including in Ireland
No matter how cute the owner of a private hotel is, do not leave valuables in sight and always lock the door to your room with a key
If you live in a hostel, you must have a lock with you so that you can close your personal drawer or locker, leaving something there.
Don't trust everyone you meet. The Irish are sweet and good-natured people and often want to help in difficult situation even absolutely to strangers... You may well accept their help and listen to their advice, but you should not lose your vigilance. A little suspicion does not hurt, people are different. Trust but verify.

5 things you definitely shouldn't do

There are a few things that you definitely shouldn't do in Ireland.

Forget the umbrella. Without putting a raincoat or an umbrella in your bag, you risk getting caught in a real downpour in an open field (especially considering that almost all of Ireland's attractions are located in open areas).

Drinking too much whiskey / Guinness / cider. Russians know how to drink. Irish people too. You should not compete on the subject of who drinks whom. The atmosphere of the pub inspires alcoholic exploits, however, remember that you are in a foreign country and you most likely still have to somehow get by bus.

Take the last bus. Well, no, you can, of course, and on him. With a high probability, he will come all the same. Or maybe not. This advice was given to me by my Irish friends from Ennis, who know exactly the quirks of intercity buses.

Walk along the edge of the cliff. Although there are warning signs everywhere, tourists are drawn to stroll along the very edge of the Cliffs of Moher. Be careful - this is really dangerous.

To hurry somewhere. The Irish are calm people. No one is ever in a hurry. If you are used to the frenetic pace of life in the metropolis, at first in Ireland it will be a little difficult for you to understand how the locals live. However, try to accept this and adapt to their passage of time. You will always be in a hurry and be late, and they will simply not understand you, it will only be worse for you.

5 things to do in this country

What you should definitely do when you get to the emerald island:

Dance an Irish dance.
Irish dances are different: sports and "for the soul", solo and team, soft and hard. One of the types of Irish dances is set. Among them there are simpler and more difficult ones, but even a person who comes to a class or party for the first time will be able to dance something. The Irish (mostly the older generation) gather in pubs with a dance floor and dance to live music. The meeting takes place in the form of a lesson with a short analysis of the dance scheme, then the music starts playing, and now, everyone is dancing! You can always look at it, but it's even better to join and try it yourself!

Try to catch the leprechaun.
There are many tales and legends about the little magical inhabitants of Ireland - leprechauns. It is unlikely that you will be able to catch it (although ...), but you can find out everything about these creatures and not only in the Leprechaun Museum in Dublin.

Walk through the worms.
In Ireland, there are places where you can walk on the water at low tide. The water goes so far that, feeling the almost solid ground under your feet, you can walk, for example, to an islet with a watchtower, as in the Dublin suburb of Skerris. Walking wet in boots, barefoot - just right. Only now the heels are tickled all the time by small worms, which are hunted by all the local seagulls. The worms are harmless and do not bite, but at first they can surprise.

Find a four-leaf clover.
Clover is one of the symbols of Ireland. You can meet his images everywhere! However, like the plant itself. Clover is originally a shamrock. The Irish say that with the help of him Saint Patrick (the patron saint of Ireland) told the pagans about Christianity. The four-leaf clover is rare, and it is considered a great success to find it.

Ride a horse.
The entire history of Ireland is closely related to horses. The Irish love these animals, keep them at home, place bets on the races, and still use horses in agriculture. Wherever you move, from whatever city you go to, you will definitely see both sheep and horses grazing outside the window.
Many centers offer horseback riding. It is not necessary to be able to ride a horse to do this - the walk is performed at a step under the guidance of an experienced guide. Horseback riding through the green Irish forests and fields is an amazing experience that will remain in your memory for a long time.

Great Britain

United Kingdom ... Country of kings and queens, centuries-old traditions, amazing architecture, world famous literature and rich history... This island is adjacent to Ireland and is very similar in nature, but overall and overall it seems a little more austere and majestic.

Great Britain must be visited at least once, and each of the four provinces: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

France

Most people first associate with France - the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, lavender fields, frog legs, snails, croissants, Moulin Rouge and Disneyland. In fact, the country is quite large and very diverse. Everyone can discover something wonderful.

Are you crazy about ancient castles, chivalry and medieval themes? Or dreaming of eating oysters with white wine while gazing out at the raging cold ocean? Or maybe you like the hot Mediterranean landscapes and the azure waters of the sea? France is waiting!

Ireland provides opportunities not only for excursion tourism, but also for agro and ecotourism, and many opportunities for outdoor activities.

Ireland has many beautiful mansions and gardens open to the public. In order to correctly draw up a route, you should pay attention to:

The Heritage Services, Duchas- The Department of Art and Cultural Heritage is responsible for the conservation of the island's nature and historical monuments, including prehistoric burial grounds or monasteries, medieval castles and national reserves. The list of this organization contains 65 monuments

Heritages Towns of Ireland- This organization unites towns and villages with valuable architectural monuments.

Houses, Castles and Gardens of Ireland- The Association includes important architectural monuments.

Heritage island- The consortium brings together monuments throughout Ireland - North and South.

National Trust- The trust has been approved to protect the coast, countryside, 600 miles of coastline and over 200 mansions and gardens. It is a charitable organization, independent of the government, completely dependent on donations from its members.

Northern Ireland Museum Council“This is a charity sponsored by the Department of Culture. Supports museums in Northern Ireland.

Ireland has excellent fishing opportunities - a network of canals, lakes, rivers and coastal seas. Sea fishing is as good as river fishing.

Other types of tourism in Ireland

Cruises

What could be better than river cruise on the rivers and lakes of Ireland, including Shannon, Barrow, Grand Canal, Ern? A cruise is a wonderful vacation for the whole family, for a friendly company or a couple in love. It doesn't matter that you have never operated a yacht before, you will be taught on the spot and you will set off on an exciting sailing.

Cycling tourism

This is a very favorite sport of the Irish, many of them are famous athletes. A bicycle is a very useful means of transportation if you appreciate the beauty of the countryside. You can always rent a bike from the operator or directly on the spot.

Horseback Riding

During the Middle Ages, according to Breton law, only noble people could ride a horse. Nowadays more and more more tourists are fond of horse riding. Many programs include exciting horseback riding.

Horse racing

Horse racing is very popular in Ireland, with 25 horse races taking place all over Ireland every year.

Celtic football. Rugby. Football

There are many sporting events throughout Ireland.

Hiking

Ireland's landscapes provide an ideal base for hiking.

Water tourism and sports

There are many types in Ireland - rowing, sailing, kayaking. Surfing, windsurfing

Holidays and festivals

There are many fans of literature and music in Ireland, therefore cultural festivals are the favorite brainchild of the Irish. Plan your trip to Ireland to take part in the festival.

For lovers of privacy and harmony with nature Ireland tourism can be a real find: the wild expanses of County Donegal, the rebellious waves of the Atlantic, the northern loneliness of Connemara and the unsurpassed beauty of Glendalough are just a small part of what can delight travelers.

Connoisseurs of art of all directions will not be disappointed either - Ireland famous for Dublin theatrical performances and conceptual rock festivals in Limerick. The hospitable attitude of local residents to tourists will pleasantly surprise - guests here will be helped in everything and will try to make their rest as comfortable as possible. This is the national credo of the Irish people - they are happy that everyone around them is happy, and from this tourism in this country is becoming more and more attractive.

Resorts of Ireland

The largest tourism center in Ireland is, of course, the capital - the city of Dublin. Here you will find the largest museums and theaters, historical and architectural monuments. But resorts of Ireland Is not only a holiday in large historic centers, but also rest for lovers of unique nature - rocky bays and endless plains, green meadows and the highest snow slopes, all this awaits travelers here.

Lovers of antiquity will delight sights of Ireland- visiting ancient castles and cathedrals, there is a huge variety here. For thrill-seekers, there is also something to do, such as the ghost bus ride or the Bram Stoker Museum. In this city everyone will find something to their liking.

Others are no less popular. resort towns of this country: picturesque Limerick with its many attractions and excellent shopping opportunities, Cork with the famous ATC summer camp, the charming town of Killarney with its picturesque natural lakes, Waterford on Staff Roar with its medieval charm, the vibrant Galway settlement absolutely delight every tourist.

The most popular places for lovers of this type of recreation, the Clare Islands are recognized, the deserted Beginish for true naturalists, Skellig Michael and the Aran Islands will be a real boon for lovers of antiquity.

Ireland ski resorts

This country does not belong to the centers of ski tourism, since in fact ski resorts Ireland - it's only artificial ski center in Kilternan.

Ireland Tours

The cost of the tour depends on many factors, not only on the resort, but also on the hotel, the type of food, the included program and much more. Tours to the capital Dublin are more respectable, and tours to Killarney are considered a more economical option, but at the same time they will delight tourists with no less quality rest.

Tours to Ireland attractive to tourists due to the wide opportunities for have a great rest... Tourism is developed here in several directions at once - primarily excursion, as well as beach, health and ecotourism. Tours in Ireland can be perfectly combined with visiting England and Scotland.

Holidays in Ireland

A trip to this country will be especially pleasant thanks to comfortable hotels, the highest service, delicious Irish cuisine. Holidays in Ireland- this is a vacation in one of the few places on our vast planet, where its air and water remained clean. Most popular destinations for a holiday in Ireland remains unrivaled Dublin and County Galway.

Ireland beaches

Despite the predominance of the excursion type of recreation in this country, the Irish themselves are very fond of local beaches and even say that the beach lifestyle is in their blood. Ireland beaches are divided into two types - urban near Belfast and Dublin and in the small rocky bays of Antrim Coast and western Cork, where the beaches are very clean and almost deserted.

Locals and tourists alike flock to the beach almost all year round to do active sports, swim or just relax. Also some of the most popular beaches include the sandy expanses on the edge of County Donegal, such as Ballymastoker, Rosnoulah and Mahara Raurty or Kells in Cairseven, County Galway, County Kerry, Dogs Bay in Connemara, and Ballycastle and Portrush, in County Antrim.

Ireland Accommodation

It is better to think about booking a hotel in advance, because a tour to Ireland requires a visa. Ireland Accommodation classified according to the international hotel service rating system, according to which all hotels in the country are checked every year by the Irish Hotel Federation. Moreover, not only classic hotels, but also guest houses have a "star" classification.

One of the most common affordable and affordable tourist accommodation options in Ireland, Bed & Breakfast family hotels are small, private boarding houses that can be found literally throughout the country. Here guests will find home comfort and home cooking, sometimes you can find a buffet.

For romantics, it is possible to stay overnight even in medieval castles, famous lighthouses, estates with authentic interiors and an old-fashioned Irish atmosphere. This type of accommodation will not be cheap, but along with the spirit of antiquity, modern service will also be provided.