Directions for Ireland: Travel and Irish Genealogy

Clydesdale on the Irish Countryside, County Kerry, Ireland
This horse is a Clydesdale measuring 17 hands in height, or about 5 feet 8 inches tall. There are two resident Clydesdales, Ted and Ned, at the Traditional Farm at Muckross House, Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. Photo by Jannet L. Walsh. Photo taken 2018. ©2023 Jannet L. Walsh. All Rights Reserved.

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Jannet L. Walsh
March 26, 2023
Murdock, Minnesota USA

What are the directions for Ireland?

How might you answer this question? I might say: From North American, Ireland is just east of Gander, Newfoundland, Canada, as an airplane flies, just under 2,000 miles. It all depends your location of origin while traveling to Ireland.

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Locate the Island of Ireland

I encounter many people wanting to quickly figure out their Irish family history or genealogy back to a specific townland or county, several generations removed from migration from the Island of Ireland, yet they have little to no family details. The other group of people I encounter are interested in travel to Ireland, but just don’t know where to start, or not sure where Ireland is located. Irish travel and Irish family history are a topics I love to explore, and write about.

Island of Ireland, two countries:  Ireland and Northern Ireland

There are two countries on the island of Ireland. The country of Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom (UK), is in the northeast corner of the island. The country of Ireland, independent from British rule since 1922, occupies most of the island of Ireland, with a shared border with Northern Island. Ireland – Locate Ireland on Google Maps.

Southern Ireland not a country – It would be wise to avoid referencing the country of Ireland as Southern Ireland as there is no country by that name. The European Union lists Ireland as part of the 27 member countries. Northern Ireland, part of UK, is no longer part of the European Union, after departure on January 31, 2020, according to official Northern Ireland website.

Weather

What’s the weather in Ireland? Go to Ireland.com and find out, link below also in the weather dial. Forecast data provided by The Irish Meteorological Service, met.ie. See recommended packing list and checklist for Irish travel at Ireland.com.

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Travel to Ireland

I’ve written on Ireland, including essentials for travel. Ask yourself: Where and what do you wand to do when you go to Ireland? Next, start planning. Please see links below.

Ireland – Travel guides, blog at JannetWalsh.com and beyond

Dublin, Ireland

Killarney and County Kerry

Cobh, County Cork

Irish Family History, genealogy

Start your search for Irish ancestors at home, not in Ireland, as you will have very little time to splice together years of lost family history. It’s best to come prepared with specific details of your Irish ancestors, including dates, names and locations, if possible. I’m sharing 10 tips I used to locate family origins in Ireland.

Frequently, interesting asked questions about Ireland

• How do I get to Ireland? You will likely arrive by airplane or ferry, unless you are swimming over to the Island of Ireland. There’s many options for transportation when you arrive at Ireland.com. See locations of all airports in Ireland, not just Dublin and Shannon. If you are not sure where to start, contact a reputable travel agent in your area, and one you can visit in person.
• When in Ireland, what is used most, Euro or US dollar? – (An actual question found on a Facebook group.) The Island of Ireland is not part of the United States, and has two countries and two currencies. In the country of Ireland, the Euro is used, while Northern Ireland uses pound sterling, as part of the United Kingdom. Learn more about currency used in Ireland at Ireland.com.
• Flights to Ireland – I have questions about my flight, and luggage allowances? Contact your airlines directly with detail provided with your airlines. Here’s a link to Aer Lingus.
• What can I do with my luggage when I arrive in Dublin or Shannon, and can’t check into my hotel room until later in the day? Check with your hotel or where you renting a room if you can drop your baggage off early. Look at locations you might be able to store luggage in Dublin. This is another reason to pack light with only a carry on bag to less your load.
• What are all the modes of public transportation for Ireland? See map at Ireland.com, for car, car rental, bus, train, taxi, ferry, bicycle and airplane. Don’t forget walking, and the horses in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, and other locations in Ireland.
• Where should I go when I arrive to Ireland? Start researching actives and places, and begin planning, see Ireland.com.
• Irish movies – Where can I find locations to movies filmed in Ireland, including The Quiet Man, The Banshees of Inisherin and more? There’s a great list of movies filmed in Ireland at Ireland.com.
• Is it difficult to drive a car in Ireland? I’d say, no, even if you are use to driving a left-side drive car than a right-side drive car in Ireland. This is something to think about. If in doubt, leave the driving to the professionals, like a taxi driver, bus driver, or train driver, or horse and cart driver. I’ve driven several times in Ireland, but the biggest obstacle to driving a car in Ireland currently is the sky-high rental prices. United States citizens with a valid license, read details at US Embassy Ireland.
• My grandparents are from Ireland. Can I get an Irish Passport? Find out details at the Department of Foreign Affairs Ireland.
• What is the weather in Ireland? There is no bad weather or season for travel to Ireland, only poor clothing. Come prepared with rain coat, umbrella, waterproof boots, and layers to keep you warm. Go to Ireland.com, see latest updates on weather.
• What currency, credit cards, clothing and electronics do I pack for Ireland? See packing checklist by Tourism Ireland.
• How do I plan for travel to Ireland? Planning, packing, weather, electrical adaptors and more, see travel blog and guide for Ireland. See official travel website to Ireland.
• Can I get married in Ireland? Find out directly from the official website from the Government of Ireland. See more details on weddings on Ireland.
• Is Scotland part of Ireland? No, Scotland is not located in Ireland, and is a country part of the United Kingdom, located on the island of Great Britain, not the Island of Ireland. Visit the official travel website of Scotland.
• How do I find leprechauns in Ireland? I’m not sure, but please let me know, or visit the National Leprechaun Museum, Dublin. There’s no doubt visitors to Ireland are now searching for leprechauns as you read this blog, and trying to catch them!

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Jannet L. Walsh of Murdock, Minnesota is a photographer, writer, and educator. She is the author of the forthcoming creative nonfiction quest narrative “Higgledy-Piggledy Stones: Family Stories from Ireland and Minnesota,” scheduled for publication in 2023 by Shanti Arts Publishing. Walsh is recipient of a Southwest Minnesota Arts Council Growth Grant funded by the McKnight Foundation, 2022-2024. You can follow Walsh on Facebook and Twitter, and on her other social media channels, with the hashtag #IrishFamilyHistoryDetective.