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Ireland travel insurance

For many UK holidaymakers, Ireland seems only a stone's throw away and it's easy to underestimate just how much it has to offer! With tasty food, good music and even greater people, the cultural experience is second-to-none. Whether you're travelling to Dublin or elsewhere on this Island, while you might feel close to home, you'll need a comprehensive and reliable European travel insurance policy in case your holiday doesn't run smoothly. To make sure you can iron out any hiccups, book your holiday insurance well before travel to cover insurable, and otherwise unforeseen, circumstances. If you don't you might be faced with a hefty bill in the event of lost baggage, unexpected cancellations and unforeseen medical expenses.

travel insurance ireland

Compare travel insurance for Ireland

Our table below illustrates the level of cover we have available with each level of policy, to help you decide on the cover that's right for your next holiday!

*Or as specified on your schedule

For full details of our policy wording please visit our travel insurance policy documents.


travel insurance ireland

Travelling to Ireland

Catching a flight to Ireland won't take you more than an hour and a half from the UK. Such close proximity to the UK can ease the stresses that come with travelling to far-flung destinations. However, you should always remember to bring the correct form of photo identification with you. For some airlines, a passport is mandatory but, there are some airlines that allow passengers to travel to Ireland without a passport. Instead, a full UK driving license is an acceptable photo ID. It's always better to be safe than sorry, so make sure you check with your airline or ferry company what photo ID is required before departing!

For a more unorthodox way of experiencing Ireland's landscape, why not get an interrail ticket and whizz around the country via train? For more information on interrailing, check out our interrail travel insurance page.


Driving in Ireland

If you're planning on hiring a car on your trip to Ireland, or bringing your own. Although home doesn't feel too far away, there are still a few differences between driving in the UK and Ireland.

    Remember:

  • Speed limits and distances are measured in kilometres.
  • For the Republic of Ireland, the motorway speed limit is slight higher at 120kmh / 74mph
  • You can receive on the spot fines for parking offences.
  • You'll come across many toll roads on motorways
  • You must hold a full UK driving license
  • You must have the correct motor insurance

The best hiking routes in Ireland

If you're an intrepid trekker, you're never too far from a deep breathe of fresh country air in Ireland. There's plenty of trail walks to explore and hiking to be done on the Emerald Isle. If you stick to hiking in areas with altitude levels of 1,000km and lower, both our Single Trip and Annual Travel insurance policies can cover you should disaster strike because we provide protection for over 100 sports and activities. If you're looking to head higher than that you could get extra cover as an add on.

    If you're a more experienced walker, this means you're covered to take the most popular route to Ireland's highest peak, Carrauntoohil (Co. Kerry), via the Devil's Ladder.

    If scrambling across a gully doesn't tickle your fancy, you might prefer a flatter walk along the canalside of The Grand Canal Way, Co. Dublin. Stretching 80 miles, this walk has ample to offer in the form of pretty villages, wildlife and canal views.

    For a shorter walk of 7 miles, and a fantastic view to reward your efforts, walk no further than The Brandy Pad, Co. Down. Stretching across the Mourne Mountains, an old smuggler's path will lead you across the northern section of the highest mountain range in Ulster.


Reasons to visit Ireland

Popular filming locations

  • Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - The Cliffs of Moher, County Clare are truly breathtaking, particularly at sunrise and sunset - just be wary of the 702ft drop over the cliff-edge. Featuring in the much-loved Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince for the scene just outside of the Horcrux Cave, this is one of County Clare's top tourist attractions.
  • Game of Thrones - The Game of Thrones series also makes use of the beautiful scenery boasted by Northern Ireland. For example, The Dark Hedges, close to the village of Armoy, are the most photographed natural phenomenons in Northern Ireland. A road lined with two rows of twisted Beech trees line this magical path with the famously ghostly Grey Lady haunting the last tree at dusk.

Plenty of castles to explore

  • Walk through corridors with secrets, clamber over ruins fallen in medieval battle and maybe even plant a kiss on the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle. With so many Irish castles to roam, you're never far from a historical experience. Some of our favourites include Trim Castle, the filming location of Mel Gibson's Braveheart. Take a trip to Donegal and you'll find Donegal Castle standing tall on a bend of River Esque.
  • If medieval battles take your fancy and stunning views to match, then Limerick boasts King John's Castle to clinch the top spot. Looming over the River Shannon and built under the reign of King John of England, the best view can be taken in from the west bank.

Lively and diverse cities enriched with culture

A perfect destination for the whole family or a bunch of friends is Cork City. With markets, shops and plenty of buzzing atmosphere, enjoy literary, music and cultural festivals all year round. Another vibrant city not to be missed is Dublin. Your interest may lie in the medieval features of the city walls or you might be more focused on your stomach. In which case, there are plenty of quirky cafes, restaurants, clubs and bars to enjoy - each with the warmest welcome you can imagine.


At a glance: Ireland

  • How long does it take to fly from the UK to Ireland? It's super speedy to get to Ireland from the UK - the flight is just over 1 hour.
  • What is the time zone in Ireland? GMT Greenwich Mean Time (the same as the UK).
  • Which airlines fly to Ireland from the UK? There are several airlines that fly from the UK to Ireland, including British Airways and Ryanair.
  • What is the currency in Ireland? The currency in the Republic of Ireland is the Euro.
  • What language do they speak in Ireland? The two principal languages spoken in Ireland are English and Irish.
  • What is the emergency number in Ireland? The two emergency numbers in Ireland are 112 and 999. Both are free of charge to call.
  • What plug sockets are used in Ireland? Type G power plugs and sockets, the same as in the UK.

Holiday Extras Travel Insurance is sold and administered by Holiday Extras Cover Limited, registered office address: Ashford Road, Newingreen, Hythe, Kent CT21 4JF.

Holiday Extras Cover Limited is an insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, registration number 828848. You can check this by visiting the Financial Services Register

Holiday Extras™ is a Trading Name of Holiday Extras Cover Limited. The insurance is underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited. Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 13436330 and whose registered office address is 10 Fenchurch Avenue, London, United Kingdom, EC3M 5BN.

Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Firm Reference Number 955859. You can check this by visiting the Financial Services Register