My boyfriend and I are traveling to Ireland and will be there over the Easter Holiday. What should we expect?

Question

We're flying from New York City to Dublin on March 29th and staying until April 11th. I've heard that the country shuts down for the Holiday weekend. Can anyone tell me if this is true? Also, we're arriving at 5am. Any suggestions on what to do until our check in at 2pm? Thanks a lot =)

Answer 1

You may run into some stores being closed, for sure.  I wouldn't worry about it, though.  You are going to meet some of the warmest and friendliest people on earth.  When I was there in 2005 people loved to stop you and talk to you once they realize you are an American.  Now for some logistics.  Do NOT rent a car to travel around in Dublin.  The traffic is horrid, and remember you will be driving on the left.  The bus system is very good, and people will help you to learn the routes.  We got around very well on the bus system.  Make sure you check out the cathedrals, and tourist areas in Dublin.  It makes for a nice day walking and soaking up the sights.  No trip to Ireland is complete without spending some time in a real Irish Pub.  The music is usually live and lively.  Also, be prepared to spend a lot of time on your meals.  The Irish eat late, and take their time.

You are going to have a great time.  Enjoy!

Answer 2

Well on Good Friday (6th April) all pubs,clubs and bars will be closed.Some shops will be too.Traditionally it is a day of fasting but I don't know anyone who follows this (except maybe my Nana). It is very common to eat fish on this day as you're not supposed to eat meat. Easter Sunday and Monday will be quiet days too.No touristy things will be open (the same on Good Friday).

Answer 3

Hi, I'm from Ireland, have lived here all my life & I can assure you that we most definately do not shut down over Easter.  Any time of the year is just great to come to Ireland.  maybe on Easter Sunday you'll find some small town shops closed, but every mian shop, bar, restaurant, tourist attraction will definately be open.  Dublin is like New York in the sense that we never sleep - we just stay up drinking & having fun :)

Don't spend all your time in Dublin if you want to get a feel for the real Ireland.  The west coast is just spectacular and I would absolutely recommend including trips to Clare, Galway & Kerry while you're here.  Not sure if you have a car but check out either www.buseireann.ie or www.irishrail.ie as they will do journeys to any of these palces several times a day.

As i'm actually from Clare (although I've lived in Dublin for a few years now) i'll promote my home county a bit & tell you that some of Ireland's most famous tourist attractions are based in the county, most notably Bunratty Castle & Folk Village - which comprises of more than 30 cottages, pubs, shops, etc recreated from last century ireland. Once in there, you can visit old Irish kitchens & help the traditionally dressed women bake bread or you can help feed pigs & cows in the farmyard. I've taken many visiting US friends there & they've all loved it.

Clare is also home to the Burren, a beautiful landscae of barren rock surface, very rare flowers and ancient pagan tomb stones, called portal dolmens.

Very near the Burren are the Ailiwee Caves, which I believe are the second largest caves in Europe. A guided walking journey through them can take over an hour. There are absolutely breathtaking!

The coast of Clare is dotted with lovely coastal villages & beaches. I often spend summers in Miltown Malbay, which boasts over 30 pubs. Clare is Ireland's most famous county for traditional irish music, song & dance and there are music schools which offer day toturials or weekend sessions for anyone interetsed. Walk into any of the pubs at night & you're sure to come upon a lively session. There are lots of nice & very reasonable B&B's in the village (http://www.nci.ie/holiday/cla/cla1.htm)....

Don't forget the famous Cliffs of Moher. They are the highest cliffs in Europe & well worth a peak at. Tourists often lie at the edge at look over.

The main town in Clare is Ennis, which has a lovely old county town feel to it. There are many craft shops and unusual boutiques there as well as some of the bigger Irish high-street stores.

Anyway, check out these websites if you want any more info:

http://www.claretouristcouncil.ie/...

http://www.claretourist.com/

http://www.county-clare.com/

Oh and if you're wondering what to do from 5am - very simple, get a 16 or 16A public bus from outside the Airport.  Get off in O'Connell Street & head into the Kylemore cafe & order a full Irish breakfast :)

Answer 4

You should expect to be greeted by warm and friendly people celebrating the life and death of their Saviour. Good Friday will be a day of fasting, so eat a hearty breakfast and expect to be offered fish for dinner.

If you're flying into Dublin that early in the morning, then take a cab to downtown and enjoy the sights and sounds of the town.Find your hotel early, and check to see if you can drop your luggage off while you see some of the sights around town. The people are warm and friendly and love to chat with their cousins of from the continent.