How to Get Around Ireland

Getting in. Dublin is the main airport, with Shannon and Cork useful for the west and south and Knock for the north-west. Ferries run from Britain and France to Dublin, Rosslare and Cork.

Driving is the way to see the country. Public transport does not reach most of what people come for. Drive on the left, note that rural roads are narrow with stone walls and no verge, and that the speed limits shown are optimistic for the conditions. Automatic hire cars are scarce and need booking well ahead.

Trains. Irish Rail runs radially from Dublin to Cork, Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Belfast and Waterford. Fast and comfortable on those lines, and almost useless for going between two provincial towns.

Buses. Bus Eireann and private operators cover far more of the country than the railways, including many villages, though timetables on rural routes can mean one or two services a day.

In Dublin. Luas trams, DART trains along the coast and buses, all on the Leap card. The city centre is walkable.