Cheap flights to Ireland

Ah, the luck of the Irish. From evocative ancient ruins and dreamy landscapes, fabled traditional villages and lively pubs to hip, ultra-modern cities – Ireland is a wonderful destination.

Cosmopolitan Dublin, with its elegant Georgian streets and a rich literary heritage, is the arrival point for most flights to Ireland. It is one of Europe’s liveliest and friendliest cities, with world-famous pubs, cool clubs, spirited traditional music and fun-loving locals keen to “have the craic”

Outside Dublin, Ireland offers a wealth of attractions and activities – exploring the stunning lakes of Killarney and Killarney National Park, hiking the Connemara Way, Wicklow Gap or Ring of Kerry – or if you’re game you can even surf off the coast of Antrim, Donegal, Clare or Kerry.

The Atlantic thunders on the west coast and the Irish Sea is to the east, producing some fine seafood, while the pastoral regions produce the mainstays of simple, hearty Irish cuisine.

Ireland climate

The Gulf Stream gives Ireland a temperate climate, though given the lush countryside, there is lots of rain (categorised as soft rain, spitting, showers, or lashing and pelting). Summer is  typically dry and warm with long sunny days (it’s light from 6am-10pm) and average temperatures in the 20s. Spring and autumn temperatures are in the teens and winter is rainy and below 10 degrees.  It’s generally coldest in January and February and this is the best time to find cheap flights to Ireland. Ireland’s weather is notoriously changeable, so dress in layers. 

When is the best time to fly to Ireland?

Peak season:

Peak season for flights to Ireland via the UK is during the summer, when festivals are in full swing, days are long and tourist attractions are open. Dublin is bustling year-round and is almost always in high season. Competition on UK-Ireland routes means you can always score a cheap flight with the likes of Ryanair or Aer Lingus.

Shoulder season:

Spring and autumn are ideal times to visit, as the weather is normally still reasonably good and the bulk of the crowds have gone.

Off season:

Outside Dublin, it is cheapest to travel around Ireland in winter, however as tourism in many areas is seasonal, many hotels, restaurants and attractions close from early or mid-November until mid-March or Easter.

Getting around Ireland

Using public transport (buses and trains) is fine for major routes such as Dublin to Cork or Galway, but trickier if you are travelling within counties.

National bus operator Bus Eireann and many private coach companies offer well-connected services between the cities and buses are generally cheaper than trains. Renting a car is the easiest way to explore the Irish countryside.

What is good to know if travelling to Ireland?

Things to do around Ireland

• With free admission to Dublin’s art galleries, there are plenty of places to spend a rainy day, including the National Gallery in Merrion Square, the Hugh Lane Gallery in Parnell Square and the Irish Museum of Modern Art, housed in the old Royal Hospital at Kilmainham.
• No trip to Ireland would be complete without sampling a pint of Guinness, the country’s famous stout. You can get the full history, including drinking lessons, at the home of Guinness in Dublin, the historic Guinness Store House facility in the heart of the St James’ Gate Brewery where Guinness was born more than 250 years ago.
• Take the steep hill up to ring the bells at St Anne’s Church in Cork. You can then climb the stone steps to a parapet enjoying 360-degree city views.
• For a glimpse of life on Europe’s furthest edges, take a boat trip to the Aran Islands, off the coast of Galway, or to Great Blasket, a short trip from Dunquin Pier on Kerry’s Dingle peninsula. The islands have small tourist industries, breathtaking views and lots and lots of sea birds.
• You can take a range of tours dedicated to the Belfast-born creator of The Chronicles of Narnia, CS Lewis, who spent some of his childhood in Ulster, returning for holidays as an adult. 
• Favoured by artists, students and bohemians, Galway‘s thriving art galleries and performing arts scene includes traditional music, street theatre and festivals — including the popular summer Galway Arts Festival. The city is also known for its vibrant nightlife. Galway is a departure point for the Aran Islands.
• You’ll find picture-perfect Irish countryside in County Kerry. You can quicky escape the touristy areas and reach the pristine beauty of Ireland’s two highest mountains, endless moors, spectacular coastline and fascinating prehistoric and early Christian sites. While Killarney and the Ring of Kerry are the most popular destinations, the Dingle Peninsula is arguably the most beautiful.
• Some of the most stunning landscapes can be found in the tiny Shannon region (spanning about 130km end to end), from the cliffs of Moher, Burren’s limestone, the stalactites, stalagmites and relics of Aillwee Cave to Lough Derg, Shannon River, the Atlantic coastline and the Slieve Blooms mountains. History buffs can visit the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, a sixth-century monastery, Celtic exhibits and several museums.

How popular are flights to Ireland this year?

There has been a 156% increase in demand for Ireland flights over the last year.