Going to Ireland for New Year's and I have a few questions!?

Question

A friend and I are taking a trip to Ireland for new year's and I was wondering what the weather would be like? Do you get a lot of snow? Are the roads really icy? Is it still rainy in the winter? Since we have a rental car, what is the amount of gas per gallon? Is there a highway (road) that takes you straight to Galway from Dublin? And of course....does anybody have ideas where a good spot would be to celebrate New Year's in Dublin? Even if you do not know all the answers, a little help would be great!

Answer 1

Normally we don't get a lot of snow in Ireland, but if we do the whole country grinds to a halt. The winter is our cold wet season, summer being the cool wet one.

Petrol (gas to you) is 105 to 112 Eurocent per litre =ca 1/4 imperial gallon, Diesel is a few cents cheaper.

Dublin is not a good spot to celebrate the New Year, Galway is much better, so is Cork. Dublin is just overpriced and overcrowded.

There are no highways, and the road from Galway to Dublin is long and bendy ;) but fairly decent as Irish roads go.

Distances and speed limits are in kilometres, we drive on the left, and speed limits are no indication whether it is safe to drive at that speed, even in good conditions.

That should cover your question, I hope, so have a good time and loads of the craic!

Answer 2

Very little snow, but a lot of ice and rain. petrol is v. expencive and the cheapest you'll prob get is a litre for 1 euro.

Enjoy your trip, come visit Clonakilty, in West Cork  too, great bars for new years lots of bars to choose from and it is so full of the festive partying, that it is featured on the Heinekan Christmas/ New years ad.

Answer 3

You are very lucky to be going to Ireland.  It is great that time of year.  Nevertheless, the weather is unpredictable then.  It can be bitter cold and snowy, or it can be as usual, rainy and cold.  It WILL be damp.  It may not rain every day, but it will rain a lot! Average is about 35-40 degrees during the day and a few degrees colder at night.  The weather is pretty dull then.  The sky is often grey, and when it is sunny, there is no heat from the sun.  The sun is very bright though, because of the angle, so bring shades.  It will only be daylight 8:45 to about 4pm.  The nights are long, but it's great becuase the pubs are fun.  Temple Bar is a good place to go, albeit crowded with tourists.  Get somwhere early and stay there.  It is hard to get in places after a certain time, as it will be crowded.  We went to Eamon Doran's one New Years in Temple Bar, and we got there pretty early before the crowds.  Also, another year, we went to P.O.D. near Harcourt Street police station.  You may have to get tickets to places, as I had to do.  You can buy them ahead of time at the bar/club.    The only problem is transport.  FInding a taxi is like finding a needle in a haystack, so go somewhere close to where you are staying.  Also, they charge crazy rates on special days, like New Years.  

Everything will be closed on January 1st.  Except for service stations.  The high streets (Grafton Street and Henry Street) are dead that day.  No shops are open.  Taxis will charge an arm and a leg to get anywhere.  Buses are on a special schedule.  

Gas, or petrol is expensive.  October 2006, it was 106.7c per litre.  1.06 euro x 4 = 4.24 euro per gallon = $5.44 per gallon.  Filling up a 15-gallon car will cost $82.00!!!  That costs me $31.35 in the U.S.!  Get a small car.  Insurance is expensive, and that is why car rentals can be expensive for young people.  Expect to pay about 50-70 euro a day.  The roads are good around Dublin, but they are CROWDED!  Leave a lot of time.  Also, parking can be a nightmare, especially at New Years.  Park west of the city, i.e., near Christchurch.  There are covered garages and metered parking spaces there.  City centre, the parking is nonexistnt and more expensive.  It will take a while to get out of Dublin, if you are going to Galway.  Traffic is busy on bank holidays like New Years.  But, once you leave Dublin, you will have beautiful sceneery to look at.  It will be fun.  The roads may not be the best in that part of the country, but you will have fun.  KEEP LEFT (if you are from a right-side driving country)!!  Many Americans and Europeans I was in cars with almost forgot this, especially in car parks and roads with no lines!  

Be careful and have fun!  Ireland is super, you will love it.  It may be cold and hectic at times, but the people are awesome and the countryside is gorgeous!

Good luck!

:o)

Answer 4

tell ya a few things about ireland weather is ok no snow

gas to the gallon 45 to 60 miles no highway two way roads highway in dublin celebrate in dublin dont no much about it but galway is the best place to go to i live in galway i love galway so much go to galway not dubin hope this hellp

Answer 5

It`ll be cold but they usually don`t get a lot of snow. More rain. Gas is expensive and when you see the sign you`ll think its cheap but thats because they price it by the liter. As far as the roads go, get a good map when you land at the airport. They highways are pretty good but there are some really small back roads too. Don`t forget, they drive on the wrong side of the road also. If you`re going to Dublin for New Years Eve I would have to say go to the Temple Bar DIstrict. Of course, everyone else will probably be there too!!! Have fun. Its a great country.