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Summer in Ireland Starts Now – Without Breaking the Bank!
Published 10 months ago • 4 min read
Reader Can you believe that summer is nearly here? If you're planning a visit over the next few months and you're hoping to include lively pubs, visits to historic castles (maybe even a stay in one of Ireland's beautiful castle-hotels), experience the Irish food (lots of great choices available), and have chats with the locals, I've got you covered.
Below you'll find some ideas for excellent summer experiences to enjoy in Ireland. If you have any questions about getting around Ireland, be sure to reach out to me at colette@irelandonabudget.com.
Happy traveling,
Colette ☘️💚🇮🇪
🥾🌊Free Coastal Hikes The Slieve League Cliffs – take a short (3 km/1.86 mile) or longer (12-km/7.45-mile) hike around the cliffs that are among the highest in Europe (higher than the more popular Cliffs of Moher). Savor the panoramic views, and if the weather is good, you'll thank me for sending you there.
Coastal Causeway Walks – there are several walks along Antrim's Coastal Causeway that are worth doing. My favorite is the one from the Dunseverick Castle ruins to Giant’s Causeway, a total of 4.6 miles/7.4 kilometers.
The Dunseverick Castle ruins along the Coastal Causeway.
The Howth Cliff Walk – easily one of the most popular activities with tourists visiting Dublin's beautiful coastline.Do the 6-km/3.72-mile loop and enjoy breathtaking views of Dublin Bay, the Bailey Lighthouse and the birdlife along the coast.
The Kilkee Cliff Walk – maybe even more dramatic than the Cliffs of Moher — with its sea stacks, interesting rock formations and crashing waves — and without all of the tourists.
The Kilkee Cliffs, County Clare.
The Old Head of Kinsale Loop – a truly spectacular area of the Wild Atlantic Way. Enjoy for free the ocean views, the cliffs, and the birdlife. Stick to public access trails since some land around there is private.
🛏️Where to Stay for Less in Dublin: Accommodation in Dublin is expensive, and during the summer, prices seem to skyrocket. Here are some budget-friendly picks.
Trinity College Student Accommodation (only available during the summer months), with more than 500 rooms to choose from, including singles, doubles and apartments. Basic, but if you're watching your wallet, this one's a winner. Bonus: you're on the historic Trinity College campus. UCD (University College Dublin) also provides housing for tourists at a reasonable price, as does DCU (Dublin City University). Other picks include The Harding Hotel, where rooms are simple but more affordable than most in the city. The hotel is a 5-minute stroll from Temple Bar, and The Waterloo Townhouse & Suites, close, also, to many of the popular spots in Dublin, including Stephen's Green.
READ: Looking for more information on Dublin accommodation, check out this article on the Ireland on a Budget blog.
🍦Summer Treats on a Budget: Indulge in Irish summer snacks and street food that won't cost you a bomb. Food trucks are a good place to find great eats at a reasonable price and, it's every bit as good as what you'll find in a restaurant. Check out my picks for Irish food trucks here.
🚆Transit Tips: Learn how to use public transport to save money while seeing Ireland this summer. The Transport for Ireland website will be your friend as you plan your journeys across the country. Additional information can be found in this article. 🎟️Upcoming (Mostly) Free Events (June 2025) Mark your calendar — there are several free events that you might want to check out if you're visiting Ireland next month. Here's a sampling of some of them.
The Bloomsday Festival 📍 Dublin | 🗓️ June 11–16 Celebrate James Joyce’s Ulysses with free readings, performances, and tours, many of them free. This year's events include Bloomsday Belles, a multidisciplinary performance of original music and song, inspired by the female characters in Ulysses; the play Ulysses aWake; Classical Joyce, a special performance of song and dance in the Georgian rooms and staircases of The James Joyce Centre, and so much more. All three events listed here are free. You can get full details on the Bloomsday festival website. The Galway Folk Festival 📍 Galway | 🗓️ June 4–8 If you're in Galway City, you'll have the opportunity to experience lots of folk music and conversation, part of this five-day annual event. Features Irish and international artists, with plenty of free daytime events. Tunefest Dungarvan 📍 Dungarvan, Co. Waterford | 🗓️ June 20–22 A traditional Irish music festival featuring free sessions, workshops, and busking throughout the town. Find out more here. Sessions are free but workshops require a fee that ranges between €5 and €20 per person. Dublin Pride Festival 📍 Dublin | 🗓️ June 22–26 Ireland’s largest LGBTQ+ celebration culminates in a free Pride Parade on Saturday, June 25, followed by festivities in Merrion Square.
Thinking about renting a car in Ireland but feeling unsure about driving on the opposite side of the road? You’re not alone. It’s one of the biggest concerns for visitors, especially those used to driving on the right. And let’s be honest, narrow country roads, roundabouts, and local driving quirks can be intimidating at first.
If you’re on the fence about whether to drive, that’s okay. It’s completely normal to feel a little hesitant. The good news? Most people adjust faster than they expect, especially when they’ve had a chance to prepare.
💡A Simple Way to Feel Comfortable Behind the Wheel
Get a driver’s-eye view of Irish roads with 360° video practice, so nothing feels unfamiliar when you get there.
Train your brain to stay on the left with simple tricks that make it feel natural.
Master roundabouts, road signs & rural driving so you can focus on the scenery, not second-guessing yourself.
Avoid expensive mistakes — like bus lane fines, speeding tickets, or wrong turns onto a one-way street.
Most travelers who use Tripiamo go from 36% confident to 86% confident because when you’ve seen it before, it’s way less intimidating.
And for less than the cost of a single ticket or fine, it’s a small investment for a stress-free trip. If you want to know even more, take a look at this YouTube video that explains the Tripiamo concept, then try it out for yourself.
🚙 If you’ve driven in Ireland, how long did it take you to feel comfortable? Do let me know by responding to this email.
The Vessi Memorial Day Sale ends tonight at 11:50 p.m. PST. The more you spend, the more you save. You can still get 30% off several styles. Check it out here.
Don't Miss this → Download the 4 Itinerary Ideas for your Emerald Isle Vacation from my Etsy store – perfect for June and July travel! Only $4.99.
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