The Emerald Isle is a place that everyone should visit at some point in their life, it offers breathtaking views in the form of The Cliffs of Moher, The Giant’s Causeway and The Slieve Bloom mountains. We think it’s the perfect destination for a solo trip.
Ireland is famed for its charming and exciting culture but is also a place for quiet self-reflection. From Dublin to Donegal, to Limerick and Cork, there is rich food for both your eyes and your soul – and here are a few tips to help make the most of your time there.
Plan ahead
It may seem dull but it is probably the most important point on this list. As mentioned above, there is no shortage of things to do in Ireland.
So, planning what you want to see and booking things in advance will ensure that you get to experience everything you want to and won’t be disappointed when you arrive and realise that your favourite Irish band’s show is sold out, or that restaurant is booked full for months. Proper planning will make your life much easier.
Look after yourself
It’s easy when you are on your own to ignore the little things that you focus on so consciously at home; from being aware of what you’re eating and drinking, getting enough sleep, to wearing the correct eyewear to look after your eye health, but really you’re so much more likely to have a good time if you keep yourself in good condition.
Because you won’t have a group of people around you that you trust, you will have to keep your guard up a little; staying (mainly) sober, keeping your phone charged and knowing where the nearest police station is can be the difference between a great trip and a disastrous one.
Pack everything you need
Linked the first point about planning, bringing everything with you that you need will reduce stress and make you feel safer when you are away from home. So if you take a daily medicine, make sure you won’t run out halfway through.
If you wear daily contact lenses, pack enough to last you the entire trip. It is easy enough to buy contact lenses online, as well as all manner of essentials, they’re sold on Vision Direct – so there’s really no excuse for being unprepared. Bringing re-usable items is also a good idea because you can cut your waste production, so things like water bottles and food bags are good; they will also save you some money.
Buy/create souvenirs!
You’ll want to remember this trip and what it meant to you. Taking pictures or drawings, keeping a flower or leaf, will give you a lovely memoir of your solo trip and the landscapes you saw. Of course, you may have to buy something too, and it’s always good to buy something that is iconic to Ireland e.g. whiskey or silver, as you won’t be able to purchase the authentic goods anywhere else.
The main thing to remember is to take in the beauty of an area that you have never been to before (and Ireland has no shortage of that). Meet local people, try new things, but look after yourself, and it will be a trip to remember.
