Because Irish weather can be a little on the changeable side we would advise packing the following:
Light versatile layers of clothing that can be easily accessed in your separate day bag so avoiding the need to go trawling around in your main luggage which might not be easily accessible due to inclement weather, passing traffic or space limitations.
A light waterproof jacket is always good to have on standby as is a buff or scarf to keep you cosy - even in the rain.A good comfortable pair of shoes (waterproof if possible) would be ideal as you may be walking a little distance in sand or mud.
Packing light is a gift to yourself, not an inconvenience.
Roll - not fold your clothes to maximise space saving.
Leave room in your bag for purchases like traditional Aran sweaters, chocolates, whiskey and other souvenirs.
Suncreen: You can get sunburn in Ireland believe it or not!
The Aran Islands for example don’t have a lot of natural shade or tree cover therefore higher wind levels making it seem cooler but you may actually be exposed to more sun. A hat , bandana or a buff would be wise to bring along.
Bug repellant: For flies and midges which are tiny biting flies that can ruin an otherwise perfect day.
Medication: DO NOT FORGET YOUR MEDICATION.
In Ireland it can take days to get an appointment to see a doctor in rural areas so getting emergency medication, even an asthma inhaler even though costing very little, might be hard to acquire unless its a emergency situation.
Stay connected:Your home SiM card might not work in Ireland or Northern Ireland (The UK) Check before you leave your native home country if you’ll need a different SIM or roaming plan to ensure you stay connected.
For ease of travel and legal weight limit restrictions Northpoint Irish Tours have a 20kg maximum allowance per person on our vehicles. This makes for a better ease of travel for you, your group and your driver.
It’s also very practical as a 15-20 kg bag is easier to manage especially with stairs in castles or older B&B’s being a little narrow or on the steep side.
Consider a daypack: bring a small one for daily essentials while keeping your main bag lighter and more manageable.
There's nothing more stressful on a trip parked by a roadside stop than pulling out bits and bob’s and rummaging around trying to find that needle in a haystack item that you mightn't even have packed in the first place! Plus a backpack or daybag can be easier to pack into spaces in your tour vehicle than a hard-shell suitcase.
By following this simple guide, you should be well prepared for your Northpoint Irish Tour adventure without overpacking which will ensure a far better and enjoyable trip.
Starting points normally commence from either Dublin or Belfast - however other start points can be arranged. The exact location and time will be mutually planned in advance between yourself and your tour planner.
We have a selection of handpicked overnight accommodation choices ranging from 5 Star / Boutique B&B / Castle Stays / Local Farm Stays and for the most adventurous - Glamping Stays.
Accommodation is a personal choice and will be completely flexible.
All tours are created especially for you, so yes all tours are flexible and are tailored to what’s important to you.
Booking a Northpoint Irish tour of Ireland couldn’t be easier. You can contact us through our contact form or request a callback/zoom call taking into account possible time differences. Your personal planner will then start to create your tour from the ground up and organise everything for you.
These tours give families a unique opportunity to discover their family tree and heritage. Ancestry tours are personalised to help bring dates places and names into reality. We can achieve this by visiting ancient sites, graveyards, contemporary locations and towns connected with your ancestors.
It is our mission to provide private exclusive tours all around Ireland. We specialise in groups of between 1-7 people maximum. Because of this group size our vehicles can go off the beaten track that larger groups can’t or won’t access. This gives our private tours the uniqueness to provide a tour that most people will never see.
Of course! We love to see families touring Ireland and because all of our tours are flexible as we can tailor make the experience for everybody - the young and not so young!
You claim your VAT back in Ireland when visiting from outside the EU.
Most goods come with a value added tax of 23% which non-EU citizens can claim back as part of the Irish Retail Export Scheme (RES). This allows you to reclaim VAT on goods purchased in Ireland and exported in their personal luggage within 3 months. Purchases must total at least €75 per voucher. Don’t forget your passport as proof of residence is required.
Northern Ireland (UK) has a similar scheme due to the Northern Ireland Protocol which also allows non-EU visitors to claim VAT refunds.
Tipping is most common in restaurants, less common but greatly appreciated in pubs, cafes and hotels.
A general rule for tipping in these establishments is 10%. Most tips are based on your experience and the quality of service received. For hotel staff i.e. bar staff, porters etc. your gratuity is based on your personal happiness with the service.
Driver guides have an industry standard of €50 to €100 per day and it is a greatly appreciated gratuity for a memorable enjoyable tour.
This is a firm rule when drinking with the locals. If someone buys you a drink you should buy them one back as this is the unspoken law in Irish pub culture. You will be looked at very strangely indeed if you fail to go along with this custom.