Are you thinking of traveling to Ireland in 2023?
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For those anxious to travel again, it’s important to realize that travel is more accessible these days due to the ongoing vaccination initiatives in various parts of the world.
However, with Covid cases rising yet again, it's best to be prepared before you travel to Ireland or anywhere in fact.
In March 2022, the Irish government lifted all restrictions on travelers entering the country, meaning that you do not need to present proof of vaccination, proof of recovery, or a negative PCR test upon arrival in Ireland.
1. Bring Your Vaccination Record With You
While Covid restrictions have been lifted to gain entry into Ireland, you are more than welcome to bring your vaccination card with you. However, it's not a requirement at this time.
If you are a resident of New York State, your results can also be accessed on that state's Covid-19 app.
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Check Attractions Online Before Leaving Home
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Since Covid-19 upended the travel industry worldwide, the current guidebook that you may have may not be completely accurate. I suggest getting the latest Lonely Planet guide so you are up-to-date on what's available in Ireland.
Many travel companies, including attractions, have sadly gone out of business because they just couldn’t survive the downturn.
Since the larger travel companies will have been able to survive the downturn, there are many small tourist enterprises throughout Ireland that will need your support.
Some of those include independent tour guides, chauffeur services, smaller hotels and B&Bs, food trucks, restaurants, walking/hiking guides, and others.
There’s nothing better than walking down a street and seeing restaurants and shops brimming with people.
So, when you do visit Ireland, don’t forget the smaller enterprises that have struggled over the past three years. Thankfully, the tourist industry is booming in Ireland in 2023 due to an influx of visitors, and I hope that continues.
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Make Flexible Booking Arrangements and Keep an Eye on Deals
Most airlines and hotels have updated their change and cancellation policies since the onset of Covid-19 in 2020, which is good to know when booking airfares or accommodation in Ireland.
When making a new booking, make sure that the flexible cancellation policy of the airline you are taking is still in place.
It is wise to keep an eye on special airfare deals or vacation packages that might be cheaper at different times of the year.
Put an app like Hopper or Google Flights on your mobile phone and monitor the deals from there. If you want to save $25 on a hotel stay that you book with Hopper, be sure to use this special Ireland on a Budget referral code.
Find Accommodation on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way
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Be an Ethical Tourist
It shouldn’t take a pandemic to make people aware of ethical travel, but it’s a good reminder as we make attempts to resume normal travel again.
Minimizing the negative impact of travel on communities and their environments just makes sense, so as you visit places in Ireland and indeed anywhere else in your country or around the world, it’s important to do the right thing.
Some of the ways you can do this include supporting local businesses, as mentioned above, dining in restaurants that offer organic menus (if they seem expensive, opt for their early bird specials), leaving no trace behind in forested areas and anywhere else for that matter, and being respectful of the local wildlife.
Read More: 5 Sustainable Experiences in Ireland to Enjoy
In areas that are especially popular, like the Cliffs of Moher in Clare, the Giant's Causeway in Antrim, the Loop Head Peninsula, also in County Clare, the Cavan Burren, and a variety of important heritage sites across Ireland that generally see large amounts of tourists, it’s important that everyone does their part to keep these places pristine for future tourists.
Are you thinking of traveling to Ireland in 2023? Let me know in the comments below.
Traveling to Dublin for five days July 2023; my husband and I and my sister, plus our three children (18,18,23). It is on the tail end of our trip, first comes England and a cruise to the Norwegian fjords for a week. I would love to sign up for your newsletter! We have no particular agenda in Ireland, just want to see beautiful sites and see where our ancestors came from. I am sure we will be tired, so day trips for two of our days sounds magnificent. One of the days my sons want to get matching “brother tattoos,” and another we have booked Silverworks ring making class in the evening. Open to all besides that! Thank you.
Kirsten, I’ll reach out to you via email.
Considering a trip in Nov. 2023 with my college boy. He’s 20 and I’m 57. We are foodies so would love input on places to go and things to try/taste . We would have 5-6 nights. Would you recommend staying in one place or booking several different towns . Would we be able to see the sites without a car rental? My experience a Few years back in a rental while in Italy was a nightmare that I’d prefer to NOT relive 🥺.
Any tips, suggestions much appreciated.
Dana
Hi Dana,
There are several cities in Ireland that offer food tours. They include the capital Dublin, Galway, Kinsale, Cork City, Dingle, Kilkenny, the Burren in County Clare and Sligo. If you don’t want to drive while in Ireland, I would suggest that you start in Dublin and then make your way to Galway by train, the Burren in County Clare by bus and then a bus to Kinsale and/or Cork. You can get a direct train from Cork to Dublin. I am actually in the process of writing a post about food tours so watch out for that. Use Irishrail.ie to book trains (you should probably do it in advance) and then Bus Eireann (buseireann.ie) for buses that will get you to those other places I mention. Irish Craic and Cuisine in Dublin is worth checking out as is Galway Food tours (you’ll find it on Google), or the Fab Food Trails tours in Dublin and Cork.