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February Is for Planning: How to Lock in an Affordable Ireland Trip
Published about 1 month ago • 11 min read
Muckross House, Killarney, Co. Kerry.
Reader February might not feel like travel season. However, it’s one of the best months for planning a budget-friendly trip to Ireland. Here's why planning now can save you money and be kinder to your wallet.
✈️ Flights: Prices are often lower before the spring demand kicks in. I suggest that you subscribe to your favorite airline with the hope of securing deals into Dublin and Shannon. Aer Lingus is usually my go-to airline. Belfast and Ireland West Airport/Knock are other options, but you'll need to go through England first — and those flights aren't always cheaper. I have flown through London's Heathrow and then on to Knock (with Aer Lingus) and I did get a good deal at the time, but it depends on when you are traveling.
🏨 Accommodations: Budget‑friendly B&Bs and guesthouses still have availability, but I would be looking into booking a hotel, especially if you are visiting in late spring/early summer and even into the summer months. Accommodation in popular destinations like Dublin, Kilkenny, Galway, Killarney and Dingle sell out quickly.
🚗 Car Rentals: Rates climb fast as summer approaches. Booking early lets you lock in lower prices. My Irish Cousin and NewWay are both very popular and offer decent packages that include all the insurance you'll need before you take the car off the rental lot. However, with some planning, you could use other car rental companies as well by using a specific credit card like the Chase Sapphire Card thereby eliminating the CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) charge that is mandatory when you rent a vehicle in Ireland. Most rental companies will ask if you want to purchase additional coverage (Super CDW).
If you do, you will be completely covered just like you would be with MIC and NewWay. You might want to use a third-party app like Discover Cars at the beginning of your research just to compare prices. Check out this article on the kinds of credit cards that allow you to use this strategy.
🗺️ Itineraries: Planning ahead helps you avoid costly backtracking and one‑night stays that drive up expenses. While you can use Chat GPT to create an itinerary, I'd be careful with the results that it gives you. Why not look at some of the itineraries on this page for reference?
Asking for advice from the thousands of members in the Ireland on a Budget Facebook group is also encouraged. Or if you want to leave the itinerary planning to someone else, consider Tracey McNamara of Away to Ireland. Tracey is a member of my Tour Guide Network.
As always, if you have any questions about this or any other Ireland travel-related planning topic, please don't hesitate to reply to this email or by writing me directly at colette@irelandonabudget.com.
Happy traveling,
Colette ☘️💚🇮🇪
🔷 St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland: Where to Go to Enjoy the Festivities
Are you planning to be in Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day?
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral in Armagh.
If that's the case, you might be wondering, where is best to celebrate it? Dublin is number one on most tourist itineraries, but celebrations are happening in other parts of Ireland too. Here's a brief overview of what you can expect.
Where to Go
✅ Galway – this year Galway is pulling out all the stops to celebrate St. Patrick. While the parade on March 17th at 11 a.m. will be the centerpiece of the festivities, there’s a series of events over the course of the holiday weekend (from March 14-17) that should make everyone happy. You can find them in the Festival Village, where you’ll be able to enjoy various genres of music, including traditional Irish, circus performances and more.
Join the St. Patrick's Day festivities this year in Galway.
Other fun events include a rowing race on the River Corrib, the city’s “Bádóirí an Chladaigh” held in the Claddagh section of the city where Irish Gaelic traditions will be celebrated, including Gaelic music, poetry and song. The iconic Galway Hooker boats will also be on the water. Don’t forget to head to some of Galway’s lively pubs for some additional fun. More information can be found on the Galway tourism website for more information.
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Cork.
✅ Cork – a St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17th at 1 p.m. will also be the highlight of the St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Ireland’s second-largest city. Other events happening in the city center that day include The Afternoon Ceilí Mór on March 15th from 3-6 p.m., Ceol Chorcai at City Hall, March 14th, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., The Lee Sessions Trad Trail in several Cork city center pubs from March 14-17, and much more. Find additional information at https://www.corkcity.ie/en/cork-st-patricks-festival/
Participants in the Kilkenny St. Patrick's Day Festival.
✅ Dublin - if you don’t mind spending more, the Dublin city center St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17th at 12 pm has a lot of energy, with colorful floats, marching bands, performers, dancers, and more.
A colorful costume at the Dublin St. Patrick's Day Parade, the largest in the country.
If you do decide to spend time in Dublin for its St. Patrick’s Day Festival, expect hotel prices to be higher and pubs packed, with the price of alcoholic drinks being more expensive than in other places around Ireland. Unless you book something now, a visit to Dublin around that time could blow your budget. A full program of events for the Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Festival is set to be released on Feb. 3.
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🔷Affordable Bases for Exploring Ireland
Lots of people in my Facebook Group, Ireland Travel Planning Tips, ask about choosing an appropriate town or city when planning their vacation to Ireland so that they can reach attractions easily by car or by bus or train. Keeping costs in mind, here are my suggestions. I will add though that it is often necessary to have more than one base if you are visiting Ireland for more than a few days.
The town of Clifden in Connemara.
If you want to explore the Connemara area and parts of South Mayo, you might want to consider Clifden which is considered the capital of Connemara. Popular attractions in the area include Clifden Castle, The Sky Road, Kylemore Abbey, Diamond Hill (great for hiking enthusiasts), the Derrigimlagh Looped Walk, the Inagh Valley, Dog's Beach and more. In Mayo, I suggest that you check out the Cong area, including the Quiet Man Museum. Explore accommodation in Clifden. Some favorites of mine include Conneely's Cottage and Hillside Lodge. If you want to explore the more northerly parts of County Mayo, especially the area around Achill, Newport and the Great Western Greenway, Westport is a great base to do that from.
If Killarney is too expensive or you just can't find accommodation there, try Kenmare about 40 minutes away by car. Kenmare provides access to Killarney National Park and the Ring of Kerry in general. Dingle is also not far away. Kenmare has a nice walkable town center, a strong food scene, and is quieter than Killarney. Explore accommodation in Kenmare. Personal recommendations include The Druid Cottage and the Landsdowne Kenmare.
If you are thinking of exploring Ireland's Midlands, Athlone is a good place for that. Situated on the River Shannon, it offers good transport connections and easy day trips to surrounding lakes and historic sites. Popular attractions that are within driving distance of Athlone include the Clonmacnoise Heritage Site, Sean's Bar (in Athlone itself), Tullynally Castle and Gardens, Kilbeggan Distillery, the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre featuring an old Iron Age road, and more. Explore accommodation around Athlone. Two of my favorite hotels in Athlone include the Hodson Bay Hotel and the Sheraton Hotel Athlone.
Kilkenny Castle.
If you want access to Wicklow, Waterford, Wexford and Tipperary, Kilkenny City makes for a good base. Smaller than Dublin but rich in history, Kilkenny works well as a base for Ireland’s southeast in general. After exploring the city's medieval streets, Kilkenny Castle and its other interesting attractions, why not take a drive to Glendalough Monastic Site in Wicklow National Park, the Hook Head Lighthouse, The Rock of Cashel, and more. Explore accommodation in Kilkenny. Personal recommendations include The Butler House, The Pembroke Hotel, and the more affordable Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel. Look for more ideas for bases in Ireland's Northwest, Northern Ireland and in the areas around Dublin – all to come in next month's newsletter.
Ronan Owens, left, and business partner, Patricia Ronane of Guided Tours
Patricia and Ronan offer bespoke tours throughout Ireland for groups of 1 to 30 guests, traveling in a wide range of luxury vehicles through their tour company Guided Tours. They create itineraries based on clients' interests and tailor-make every experience with them in mind. They are also ATOL-protected (Air Travel Organizers' Licensing) and a registered tour operator, which enables them to be a one-stop-shop, booking flights, accommodation and excursions and of course transportation. The company's rates are reasonable, yet they deliver a highly professional service. And for an extra touch of Irish charm, Patricia often brings along her guitar for a bit of fun when guiding -- 'Where Every Journey is Personal.' The partners also run Knock Pilgrimages, a unique blend of spirituality and Irish culture that includes the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, its Ancient East and Northern Ireland. Contact Patricia and Ronan at info@guidedtours.ie or call 353-94-900-6426 (office) or 353-87-189-0236 (mobile).
If you are traveling with kids in 2026, you'll want to check out my guide titled 53 Hotels That Sleep Families. It includes details on the various rooms that are offered for families, including interconnecting rooms, and other bedding configurations. I've included family-friendly activities that are offered by each hotel as well as nearby attractions. The guide has been reduced from $9.99 to $6.99 through Valentine's Day, great value for a publication with so much information.
🔷 Your Ireland Travel Questions Answered
Below are some of the frequent questions I see in the Ireland Travel Planning Tips Group and my answers to them. Question: Do I need to carry cash in Ireland, or can I use a card everywhere?
Answer: Credit cards are widely accepted across Ireland, including contactless payments in shops, restaurants, buses, and pubs. That said, it’s still smart to carry a small amount of cash for tipping. ATMs are easy to find, but avoid airport exchange kiosks where fees are highest. I advise you to withdraw money from bank-owned ATMs, such as Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish and TSB Permanent (the one I use in Ballina, Co. Mayo does not charge fees). Amex and the Discover Card are not widely accepted in Ireland. Your best bet is to use MasterCard or Visa.
Question: Is tipping expected in Ireland?
Answer: Tipping in Ireland is appreciated but not mandatory. In restaurants, a 10–20% tip is customary if you feel the service has been good (unless a service charge is already included). Tipping isn’t expected in pubs when ordering at the bar.
Question: Is renting a car worth it, or should I use public transport?
Answer: It depends on your itinerary. Public transport works well for cities and popular routes (Dublin–Galway, Dublin–Cork, Dublin–Belfast). However, if you plan to explore rural areas, coastal drives, or smaller towns, a rental car can actually be more cost-effective, especially when split between travelers. Booking early is key to keeping prices down. Question: Is driving in Ireland really as scary as some people say? Answer: For most visitors, it's more about the unfamiliarity of driving on the left that makes them worried ahead of time. Sure, some of the rural roads in Ireland are narrow, but if you take your time, you can do it. Many travelers in my Facebook group have said that having a good "co-pilot" was invaluable when driving in Ireland.
Choosing a smaller automatic car rental will certainly makes things easier and if you want to really get ahead of the curve, I'd suggest that you invest in Tripiamo's Ireland Driving Guide (certified by an Irish driving school) that can help you feel fully prepared before you even arrive in Ireland. See the road from a driver’s perspective with 360° video practice—so nothing feels unfamiliar when you get behind the wheel. Question: Will my cell provider's international coverage work in Ireland? Answer: Yes, all plans work well in Ireland. Just continue to use your phone like you would at home. However, if you plan to be in places where there is free Wifi (such as your accommodation, cafes and pubs), I'd suggest that you turn off your phone's cellular data (accessed in the Settings function) or you could keep the phone in airplane mode with the Wifi only option turned on. That way you won't be charged.
A cheaper alternative is to rent WiFicandy's portable device or purchase their eSIM service, which comes with an Irish phone number. You can find out more from this informative PDF, which includes details on the company's New Year sale, with 25% off both the portable device and eSIM. Question: When is the best time to visit Ireland? Answer: Late winter and early spring (February through April, excluding Easter) will offer the best value but the weather will be chilly. However, I've seen lots of our members travel to Ireland in the off-season and they've loved it. I think the answer to that is really dependent on what your schedule is and how much money you are prepared to spend on your Ireland adventure. You might want to check out this article that lists the various activities that you can do in Ireland at any time of year.
Solo travel is one of the fastest growing trends in 2026, and with TourRadar, an affiliate partner of Ireland on a Budget, travelers can explore the world solo — but never alone. Organized tours offer the perfect balance of independence and community, allowing solo travelers to join like‑minded adventurers and create unforgettable experiences together. Check out the numerous solo tours of Ireland that TourRadar is promoting for its 2026/2027 season, some of which are currently on sale up to 36% off. For further savings, use code MEGA-2 for an extra 2% off your booking.
Meet Tracey McNamara from Away to Ireland Travel Itinerary Service
Tracey specializes in custom travel itineraries for Ireland. As a self-proclaimed “Ireland enthusiast,” she finds joy in helping others get away to Ireland! Whether you are interested in a self-drive vacation for two people, or a private guided tour for a family of 15, Tracey is excited to assist you. The process begins with a free online consultation to learn about your interests, travel style and budget. From there, she will provide recommendations for everything from destinations, activities, and unique experiences to required documents, local customs and safety protocols. A formal itinerary will be provided with every detail of your trip included. In addition to providing custom itineraries, she hosts several small group tours for women each year, focusing on the incredibly rich and diverse cultural aspects of Irish life. When she is not in Ireland, she enjoys visiting family in England, as well as exploring other countries around the world. Her favorite quote is, “We travel not to escape life; but for life not to escape us.” (Author unknown). Read a recent spotlight on Tracey's business on the Ireland on a Budget website. Tracey is a member of my Tour Guide Network. You can reach her at awaytoireland@gmail.com or by phone at 443-285-9031.
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