Planning a Trip

Chances are you've been looking forward to your trip to Ireland for some time. You've probably set aside a significant amount of cash; taken time off from work, school, or other commitments; and now want to make the most of your vacation. To accomplish that, you'll need to plan carefully.

When to go? How to get there? Should you book a tour? What should you pack? How much will it cost? You'll find all the necessary resources, along with addresses, phone numbers, and websites here.

Save Money: Buy a Heritage Card -- The Heritage Card is a pass that allows you free entry to almost all historic sites owned or managed by the Irish government. Given that these include some of the country's most popular attractions, it can be a real saving. The card costs €21 for adults, €16 for seniors, €8 for children and €55 for families. You can buy them at any of the site ticket offices, or at www.heritageireland.ie.

Dozens of sights listed in this book take Heritage Cards, including: Aughnanure Castle; the Blasket Centre; Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery; Céide Fields; Charles Fort; Clonmacnoise; Dublin Castle; Fota House; Glendalough; Glenveagh National Park; the Hill of Tara; The Iveagh Gardens; Jerpoint Abbey; the John F Kennedy Arboretum; Kilmainham Gaol; Kilkenny Castle; Muckross House; the National Botanic Gardens; the Rock of Cashel; and Trim Castle.