- Ireland has been populated since around 8000 BC, and as such has an abundance of historical sites. The Ceide Fields in County Mayo are one of the oldest Neolithic field systems in the world and offer a unique opportunity to glimpse ancient farming sites. In the following centuries, the Druids, scholars of the Middle Ages, and the Vikings left their cultural marks around Ireland. Today, visitors often flock to Ireland's many castles.
- Before visiting Ireland, be sure to check the visa requirements for citizens of your nationality. Citizens of the United States and Europe do not need visas to travel in Europe. Keep in mind that citizens of countries that require Ireland visas cannot travel with a UK and Schengen visa; they must apply for an Ireland visa. All non-European Union citizens are subject to immigration control when entering Ireland. Every traveler to Ireland is required to carry a valid passport.
- Ireland is famous for its green hills and many travelers to Ireland head into the country. Popular destinations include County Kerry and Limerick. Consider renting a bicycle in the summer to travel around Ireland slowly, stopping at pubs along the way to sample local beers. If you would rather walk, head to the Mountains of Mourne in County Down, Northern Ireland. Many tourists also visit the Guinness beer brewery in Dublin, Ireland for a tour and tasting.
- One of the most common misconceptions about Ireland is that it is one country. Rather, it is broken into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland has been the site of tension and social unrest between Nationalist and Unionist factions. The area has been plagued by violence and strife for years, and even today the country's Sinn Fein party and the Irish Republican Army are involved in conflicts. Visitors to the area should be conscious of political and social tensions. The 1998 ceasefire holds, but occasional bouts of violence pop up with paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland.
- Generally, travelers to Ireland can move freely without trouble or danger. Women traveling along should exercise caution at night or in dangerous parts of the larger cities; as in any area, a solo female is often a target. During soccer games, pub crowds can get out of hand and foreigners should take care.
