Solo female travel in Ireland

The Republic of Ireland, the Emerald Isle, the land of shamrocks and rainbow bounties, it’s as green as its nickname suggests with some of the friendliest natives around. Solo female travel in Ireland is a great first-time destination for less seasoned travelers looking for an adventure. Solo travel in Ireland offers a wide variety of activities that are more than enjoying a pint of Guinness in a local pub.

With a warm and welcoming culture, fascinating history, and surprising wildlife (did someone say dolphins?!) this quaint country packs a punch for even the most hard-to-please explorers. So, is Ireland a good place to travel? Well, let’s what all the craic is about and see why your next adventure should be traveling to Ireland alone.

Best time to visit Ireland

Ireland isn’t known as the Emerald Isle because of its lack of greenery. But lots of lush fields and hills mean lots of rain. If this doesn’t bother you when you’re planning your solo trip to Ireland, don’t forget to pack a good raincoat and waterproof walking boots. 

If you’re a solo traveler who is hoping for a bit of sunshine, your best bet on catching some rays in Ireland is summertime. There will still be a good of rain, particularly near the coast, but you can expect blue sky days in the high 20s (Celsius) / high 80s (Fahrenheit).

Other than December time around the holidays, the best time to visit Ireland is March 17th: St. Patrick’s Day! Every town, city, and village comes alive to celebrate their patron saint - expect lots of music, late-night dancing, and all types of green and shamrock merch. 

Things to do in Ireland

Visit Dublin

The Irish capital is a huge must when visiting the land of leprechauns and giants. As well as being a vibrant city with a mixture of delicious food options, art galleries, and beautiful architecture, it has also been home to many famous creatives such as Oscar Wilde. You can visit his Dublin home and enjoy many of the jaunts he often enjoyed being a patron to.

If you’re on a solo travel history tour, you can’t move for museums! Learn about everything from pre-history up to more contemporary events. Similarly, as host to one of the world’s top universities, this is a great place for learning with free lectures open to the public during term times. 

We also can’t mention Dublin without talking about St. Patrick’s Day. Although the city is colorful enough during the year, on March 17th the streets come alive in a wash of rainbows and green. As well as music and celebrations, the River Liffey which runs through the center is dyed green!

Go whale, dolphin, and seal watching off the South coast

Yep, that’s right, you can go whale and dolphin watching in Ireland. Never thought you’d read that sentence! Whilst seal watching around Ireland and the British Isles is not uncommon, you’ll be most likely to find dogs-of-the-sea (seals) on Ireland’s east coast on the Irish Sea. Whales and dolphins can be spotted off the south coast, near Country Cork, most often around summertime. There are private tours, small group tours, and larger boat expeditions you can take between late May and early October.

Cliffs of Moher

If you head down to Country Clare, you can take in the spectacular Cliffs of Moher. With 14 km (8.6 miles) of coast walkways, it’s easy to spend a whole day walking and taking in the sea air. As it is on the west coast, it’s famous for having a glorious sunset (weather permitting) against the dramatic cliff edges.

Aran Islands

If you’re a solo traveler who enjoys looking at ruins combined with ancient myths, we recommend taking a boat to the Aran Islands. Off the northwest coast, you can take a day trip there from Galway which is a few hours west of Dublin. As well as having unusual rock formations and natural pools, the Aran Islands hold a huge amount of pre-historic and medieval history. Ruins of churches dating back almost 1000 years can be found scattered around, along with plenty of their own stories and mythology to accompany them.

Best ways to travel around Ireland

Within the larger towns and cities like Galway and Cork, local bus services are a cheap way to move around the town if you struggle with mobility. Pups are also welcome on buses, so if you’re pet sitting this is one less thing for you to worry about.

To travel up and down and around the island of Ireland, you should try out the trains. They go to all the tourist hotspots, as well as to many smaller less known places. In comparison to the UK and the US, the trains are very reasonably priced and will take you through some of the legendary Irish landscape.

Otherwise, if you’re able to drive and you’re planning to stay for longer than a week, renting a car could be the best option. This is ideal if you’re looking for more hiking options and to visit other parts of the country. Do take note that many of the roads are small country ones, so always drive cautiously.

Weather in Ireland

It feels like we’re quoting a stereotype by saying it always rains in Ireland, but it is a rather wet country. According to the Climate Change Knowledge Portal, annual rainfall is around 1230 mm, but it can total upwards of 3000 mm on high ground! 

Fun fact? Ireland has twice as many annual rainy days as the US. But, this doesn’t mean there aren’t warm and dry days. Spring and summer can be relatively hot, making for ideal hiking (and dog walking) conditions.

Naturally, the driest seasons are spring and summer. Winter and autumn are wet and cold, but it’s very unlikely you’ll see any snow.

Accommodation for solo female travelers in Ireland

Well, we wouldn’t be TrustedHousesitters without recommending house and pet sitting as a top-of-the-morning option! In cities like Dublin, it’s a great way of integrating into local life and discovering parks, cafes, and restaurants often missed by the usual tourists. Outside the major cities, having a fur friend for cozy company or walkies is a great way to meet people and your temporary neighbors. 

If you’re unable to find a house that fits with your Ireland solo travel itinerary, the next best thing to live like a local is a traditional bed and breakfast. Often family-run, this can be a lovely way of embracing Irish culture with traditional, homemade breakfast and cakes.

Hotels are available in the larger cities, but more difficult to come by when you’re away from a large train station. Hostels are easy to come by in Dublin, but may not be an option elsewhere.

Is Ireland safe for solo female travelers?

Ireland ranks amongst the top ten countries on both the Global Gender Gap Index and the Fragile States Index, and it’s the third most peaceful country in the world according to the Global Peace Index. Plus, it ranks in our list of the top 10 safest places for solo female travelers, based on several sources including the Safe Cities Index, Solo Female Travel Safety Index, and more.

As well as the work they have done for gender equality, the Irish are famed for their warmth and friendliness, which is what makes the country one of the best places for solo female travel! 

Is Ireland safe for solo female travelers? Nowhere can ever be guaranteed as 100% safe - you must continue to keep your wits about you and use common sense, particularly if you’re by yourself - but, statistically, Ireland is one of the safest places for solo female travel.

Meeting people and connecting with locals

A great way to meet people in the Republic of Ireland? If you’re out in public - at a pub, in a queue at the grocery store, on a dog walk - and you’re feeling sociable, striking up a conversation with a stranger is normal. In fact, locals encourage it!

For those who prefer a more coordinated way of meeting people, group tours are available in all the major cities in Ireland, some of which are free. This is a good way to connect with like-minded travelers and tourists. Or else, look for day trips for group tours - there are some awesome sea adventure tours, as well as plenty of guided hikes around the gorgeous Irish countryside.

Tips from a local

• You can strike up a conversation with a local just about anywhere. The Irish are known for being friendly and talkative, so a great way to meet people is simply to approach them.
• Speaking of conversation, try talking about the weather as an icebreaker! The Irish always take advantage of an opportunity to discuss this in depth.
• Ireland is about so much more than drinking a pint of Guinness and going to the pub. Take time to learn about the country’s rich and lengthy history either from one of Dublin’s many museums or just by asking a local.
• Storytelling is a big part of Irish culture, so it’s easy to pass the evening learning about local lore and myth, as well as all the fact-filled history. Irish literature is world-famous, so be sure to immerse yourself in contemporary and ancient fiction.
• If you have trouble understanding the Irish accent, don’t worry, the natives know it can be difficult to understand even for native English speakers. Just ask them to talk more slowly, no one will take offense.
• Don’t forget to take in some Irish music and dance - you’ll be sure to find one or both at almost any pub, particularly over the weekend.

Ireland for solo female pet sitters

Things to do with dogs in Ireland

With a small population of just over 4 million people, Ireland has plenty of space to stretch your legs and walk those pup paws all over the countryside. From gentle strolls through fields to more rugged hikes along seaside cliffs, to sprawling empty beaches, there’s plenty of choice for all types of doggos.

Even Dublin has plenty of open green spaces ideal for walkies, and it doesn’t take longer than 15 minutes to drive from the center to the surrounding rural areas. 

Dog-friendly bars and restaurants in Ireland

Ireland’s major cities like Dublin and Cork are very dog friendly, so finding somewhere as a solo traveler with a pooch pal will not be hard to come by. Out in the rolling hills of the Irish countryside, many rural residents are dog owners meaning you’ll easily find locals enjoying a pint of Guinness at their small-town pub with their pup.

House and pet sit

Tempted to take a solo female trip to Ireland? Why not have a peek at the house and pet sit available in the Emerald capital, Dublin? If you’re looking for a more rural or ‘out of town’ experience, have a look at where else you can find a new furry friend or two elsewhere in Ireland.