Ireland Travel Guides - My Favourites
You might be like me and still use a very very very old, dog-eared copy of Lonely Planet to plan your trips. Mine has always been my go-to source when planning trips and adventures in Ireland.
But as much as I love it, it is old, and I decided to ‘upgrade’ my planning and buy some new travel books in February. Back then, when the 5 months of March hadn’t started yet, we had never heard of something like a lockdown and I still had a summer filled with trips around Cork, Kerry and the North ahead of me. Things didn’t turn out as planned, obviously, but as many of you are planning your staycation or your 2021 trip right now, I thought I’d share my favourite travel books here.
Those of you who follow me on social media know I’m not a tour guide nor a history enthusiast, and I’d rather take you on a tour to see the amazingly beautiful Irish nature and share my favourite spots than educate you on Irish history.
There are amazing people out there who are experts when it comes to Irish history, so I can highly recommend reading one or more of the books down below before travelling around Ireland.
Ireland - Lonely Planet
Probably one of the most relevant and up-to-date travel guides that’s out there, with many insider tips, itineraries and cultural insights. I love how detailed it is and how many areas are covered. It also contains basic maps which is great for getting a sense of where everything is located. If you have never been to Ireland before and had to choose, I’d probably take this one.
Back Roads Ireland
This book is great. It’s well written and easy to read and the maps and photos are great. It gives you a lovely overview of where to go and what to see and do, especially on round trips which I love. It also features many smaller ‘back road’ places, insider tips and easy-to-follow driving tours.
Ireland 2020 - DK Eyewitness
I haven’t used it as much as I thought I would, thanks to the other great books about Ireland, but it is ok and a good read. It is very informative and colourful with maps and pictures. It’s easy to bring along and updated every year to ensure the information is as up-to-date as possible. I do prefer the two books above though.
West Cork - Alannah Hopkin
For everyone interested in West Cork and the people of West Cork, I can highly recommend this book to you. I really enjoyed reading it and it’s like the author Alannah Hopkin, who lives in Kinsale, has captured all of my feelings about home into this book. It’s filled with warm and colourful stories about the people of West Cork and I’m pretty sure it will make you smile when reading it.
101 Amazing Things to Do in Dublin - Dublin Travel Guide
If you’re spending most of your trip in the capital city - this is your book. It features the best things to see and do in Dublin, places to eat and drink, festivals (whenever it’s safe to go again), historical and cultural sights, shops, outdoor adventures (cycling, water rafting…) and much more. I love how much information is packed into this book and can highly recommend it for your trip to the city.
The Rough Guide to Ireland
This guide is packed with so much information about every county on the island and it’s great for planning your trip. It features the touristy spots but also less well-known spots that are worth a visit. You will find itineraries, great places to eat and drink, where to hear the best Irish live music and some great maps. There’s also a map of Dublin’s Temple Bar.
Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way - A Walking Guide
Calling all hiking lovers out there! This is a very helpful guide and I can’t recommend it enough. I had planned on walking several of the featured hikes this summer, but… Covid-19. Fingers crossed I’ll be able to walk them soon. This book is also a great guide for locals from what I can tell when it comes to County Cork. Plus, you don’t have to do the hikes from start to finish as author Helen Fairbairn gives you all the options, whether you’re looking for two or six hours walks. Get out there and enjoy!
Rick Steves Ireland 2020
Probably one of the most loved travel guides for Ireland with Rick Steves being one of the biggest names in travel, this is a must-read. The 2020 edition has all the up-to-date information you need for planning your staycation or 2021 trip. However, keep in mind that Covid-19 wasn’t a thing when the book was being printed, so be sure to check opening hours etc before visiting. It’s one of the most comprehensive Irish travel books out there, which is great for planning your multi-week trio through Ireland. It features top sights and hidden gems and the best places to eat, drink, sleep and relax. The paperback edition has not only detailed maps but also a fold-out map, which is great for exploring on the go.
Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way: A Guide to its Historic Treasures
Finally, calling all history lovers and enthusiasts! This guide features all you need to know about the history of all your favourite top heritage sites in Ireland. It covers well-known places like Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry but also places like Inishmurray and Skellig Michael for those who want to get off the beaten track.
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To read more about the perfect road trip through Ireland, here are our itineraries for 14 Days and 7 Days .