Green as grass in the Emerald Isle? Here are some tips to enjoy your stay in Ireland, one of the countries deemed safest for women who travel alone.
It was always my dream to travel solo to a different country. There’s just something about it that seems so liberating, especially for an introvert like me who really enjoys my own company.
So, when my university put out the call for applications for a study abroad program in Ireland late last year, I couldn’t pass it up. After all, it was going to be a Documentary Photography class and I knew taking it would enrich my journalistic skills.
The month-long program commenced in the beginning of May and ended in the first week of June this year. Before the trip, our professor familiarized us with Irish history and culture through various films tackling topics that ranged from the potato famine to the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
All its issues aside, however, Ireland has long been known as one of the safest countries even for women who travel alone. Since 2021, it’s been performing well in the Global Peace Index, consecutively ranking within the top ten of a list that includes more than a hundred countries. This year, it was number 2; a rank just below Iceland, the longtime leader of the list. Still, I knew it was very important to stay vigilant for the entirety of my stay there. As they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Luckily, having lived in bigger and tougher cities before had given me the experience that helped me navigate Ireland with confidence.
After living in Dublin for a little over a month, I came up with a list of things that would (hopefully) make your visit to Ireland a stress-free experience if you ever decide to go visit there one day.
First things first: remember that the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are two different countries.
The Emerald Isle is divided into two jurisdictions: the Republic of Ireland, which is a sovereign nation and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. Read up on Irish history, especially the part that covers the partition of Ireland.
Being culturally sensitive always goes a long way.
It is also important to note that since the Republic of Ireland is part of the European Union, the currency is in Euros. Meanwhile, pound sterling is the official currency in Northern Ireland.
Pack a light but dependable rain jacket and comfortable trail shoes.
Before leaving for Ireland, the first thing I made sure to grab were a good quality rain jacket and comfy yet durable trail shoes.
The weather in Ireland can be quite tricky as it tends to change a few times throughout the day. Locals say the key to dressing up for a trip there is layering, so you can easily peel off or add to your clothes depending on the fluctuations in the temperature and changes in the weather.
I already knew that I wanted a rain jacket that was completely waterproof, breathable and easy to pack. I went to an Athleta store and purchased the Rainout Sutro Long Trench, which ticked all my boxes. It performed really well when I wore it during my trip to the Cliffs of Moher, where the weather kept changing from sunny to rainy and windy every 20 minutes. It kept me dry and warm without making me feel like I was overheating whenever the sun came out.
As for shoes, I followed a lot of people’s recommendations on Reddit and purchased a pair of Nike Pegasus Trail GORE-TEX shoes. Listen, I averaged about 15,000 steps every day throughout my trip and not once did my feet hurt with these shoes. They were so comfortable and they kept my feet perfectly dry even when it was raining hard in Dublin.
Reddit is a great resource for visitors.
I have always believed that if you truly want to experience the culture of a place, eat where the locals eat. But as I have gotten older and traveled more, that mantra has changed to, “Go where the locals come together.”
So, when I do my research about a new travel destination, I always go on Reddit. Every topic has its own subreddit. In this case, the Dublin and Irish Tourism subreddits have a wealth of information on how to navigate Ireland like a pro. Don’t hesitate to post on these subreddits and ask for recommendations because the people there are always very helpful.
You can also utilize the search bar by typing keywords like, “pub” or “what kind of clothes to pack” and you can scroll through a bunch of results from the same questions that had already been asked before.
Get ready to ditch the headphones and your screens.
I get it. I myself love getting lost in my own little world enjoying my music while I’m out and about. However, it is better to familiarize yourself with the lay of this new, unexplored land and how things work without your headphones overriding your focus.
And unless you’re only going to whip out your phone for navigation purposes, your visit to Ireland will be much more enjoyable if you spend more time looking around you and living in the moment. This country is so beautiful with breathless sites to see all around so you will never be bored every time you step out.
Lastly, do not give pickpockets easy access to your phone by putting it in the back pocket of your shorts or jeans.
Always look to your left and right when crossing the road.
One thing about the Irish is that they are no stranger to jaywalking. They don’t bend to the little red man telling them when they cannot cross the street. They are always confident in their timing, and they always make it safely to the other side.
But as a visitor not used to the jaywalking culture in Ireland, please do not do this. Believe me, I have learned this the hard way a couple of times too many. Cars don’t tend to yield to pedestrians in Ireland, so always look both ways, especially on your first few days in the country. The direction where vehicles will be coming from can be super confusing.
Note that not all alleyways are created equal.
Trying to figure out the safe areas in and around the Dublin city center is not so simple. I remember a staff member from our study abroad provider telling us that safe and sketchy alleyways can be right next to each other all over the place.
A good rule of thumb, she said, was that wide alleyways are generally safe. Meanwhile, it’s best to avoid narrow alleyways.
It is also to scope out the alleys and make sure it is filled with people before passing through it.
Go back to your accommodations before it gets dark.
Because Ireland is located a little further up north, its days can be really long—or short—depending on the time of the year. During the summer months (June, July and August), the average time when the sun sets is past 9:30 in the evening.
Meanwhile, during winter months (December, January and February), the sun sets as early as 4:00 in the afternoon.
Keeping track of when the sun sets can help you figure out how many activities you can fit in a day before it gets dark for the duration of your trip.
Book with reputable day tour operators if you want to go sightseeing outside of Dublin.
When I was planning my excursions that were not included in my study abroad program, I decided to look up reputable day tour operators in Dublin. My search led me to Paddywagon Tours, which offered a variety of sightseeing trips all over the island.
I picked the tours that took me to Kilkenny, Wicklow and the Cliffs of Moher. Doing this took out the stress of driving and planning, which allowed me to relax and just enjoy the scenic routes throughout the trips. Plus, the guides were so engaging, so it was fun listening to them as they told stories behind various landmarks we passed along the way.
Go to a pub by yourself!
Look, I have social anxiety issues and it is something I have been trying to get over for a very long time. But I decided to help myself beat it by going to different pubs by myself. As it turned out, it wasn’t as nerve-wracking as I thought it was going to be. A lot of locals actually enjoy having their me time at pubs.
I also discovered that reading in a pub was not too weird of an activity in Ireland, so I started bringing a book to curl up with while I enjoyed a pint of Guinness. The bartenders were always lovely and no pub patron made me feel uncomfortable. If you want some quiet time in a pub, the best time to go is in the middle of the day.
Know that Temple Bar is a whole district in the city center.
While The Temple Bar Pub does exist, its home is in Temple Bar the district or street, if you will. Temple Bar is dubbed as Dublin’s cultural quarter and is an area that tourists flock to for its vibrant nightlife. Because of this, you can also expect expensive pints here—and I mean tourist trap prices.
If you are looking for the full-on tourist experience, then Temple Bar is definitely the place to go. It’s teeming with pubs that host live folk music, hipster shops and craft stores selling works by local artists.
It is also home to the Irish Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum, where you can learn about Ireland’s contribution to the music scene. If you love U2, Sinéad O’Connor and The Cranberries, this is a tour worth doing. I did it and I had a very enjoyable experience courtesy of our funny and charming guide, Alan!
In a world without Uber and Lyft, FREENOW is key!
While neither Uber nor Lyft operate in Ireland, you can download a similar app called, “FREENOW,” which will link you with taxi operators in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
However, since Dublin has a robust public transportation system and the city is so walkable, the need for taxis rarely arises. But FREENOW is definitely a good thing to have in your back pocket if you’re having a late night out.
George’s Street Arcade is a shopping haven for unique souvenirs.
Located in a Victorian style structure, it showcases a host of stalls and shops where you can purchase unique trinkets and other gifts to bring back home. This is a great place to go shopping because it has everything for everyone.
