DO I NEED MY PASSPORT TO TRAVEL TO IRELAND?

Yes, travel to Ireland requires a valid passport.

Learn more here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ireland.html

I HAVEN’T TRAVELED INTERNATIONALLY IN A WHILE, OR EVER — HOW SHOULD I START PLANNING?

The first step is to confirm that your passport will be valid through the date of your flight home.

If your passport has, or will be, expired, we recommend renewing ASAP — as of 8/4/2023, the lead time for standard passport renewal is up to 15 weeks (10-13 weeks for renewal plus up to 2 weeks for processing).

Expedited processing the process is possible for an additional fee.

Learn more about getting your passport for the first time, or renewing an expired US passport, here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

I’VE HEARD THAT EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HAVE NEW TOURIST VISA REQUIREMENTS, EVEN FOR SHORT STAYS. DOES THIS INCLUDE IRELAND?

As of 8/4/2023, Ireland does not require a tourist visa. This may change at any time, and if you plan to visit any other countries, or even have a layover in another country, we highly recommend researching visa requirements further.

Learn more about Irish travel requirements here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ireland.html

WHICH AIRPORT SHOULD I FLY INTO?

Shannon (SNN) is the closest major airport to Dingle, though Dublin (DUB) is also a great option too if you’re renting a car or willing to take a bus across the country.



WHERE SHOULD I STAY?


One of the reasons we chose Dingle is because of the variety of accommodations it offers to suit every budget and preference.


The wedding venue is the Dingle Skellig Hotel, which has offered us a block of rooms at a discounted rate. we will be able to share more details here in January.


If you prefer accommodations other than the Dingle Skellig Hotel, please be careful to check proximity to the wedding venue prior to booking. The wedding will be in Dingle, but the larger area is called the Dingle Peninsula, which can lead to some confusion.


We strongly recommend using Google maps to learn how far your potential accommodations are from the wedding venue, especially if you don’t plan to rent a car, as last-minute taxi availability can be limited in Dingle.



*UPDATE!* WILL THERE BE A ROOM BLOCK AT THE VENUE?



Yes! The hotel is offering a discounted block of 25 Classic Twin/Double rooms including breakfast at the following rate:


- €240 for double occupancy (approx 37% discount)

- €180 for single occupancy (approx 53% discount)



This discount can be applied to your booking with a code on the hotel website.



Reservations will be on first come, first served basis. The room block code is CollinsHuey. With any questions or upgrade requests, please contact: sheila@dingleskellig.com



You are also welcome to search for rooms at the hotel on third-party sites at any time.

WHICH SIDE OF THE ROAD DO THEY DRIVE ON IN IRELAND?

They drive on the left side of the road in Ireland, the opposite of how we drive in the US.

DO I NEED TO RENT A CAR?

While having your own car can provide added flexibility, it is not required to explore Dingle and most Irish cities. Once you’ve reached Dingle, the highlights of the town are all accessible on foot!

In our experience, Irish transportation is timely and reliable. There are bus and train options to help you reach Dingle from either Dublin or Shannon (the two cities with the most convenient airports).

Still, a rental car will make the trek to Dingle smoother than public transportation.

Hotels and bed and breakfasts may also be able to help you arrange private transportation, if preferred.

WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE?

In a word, destination!

Our hope is that you wear something that you feel FABULOUS in, and that reflects the spirit of the occasion and the destination.

WHAT COVID PRECAUTIONS AM I EXPECTED TO TAKE BEFORE OR DURING THE WEDDING?

We have no plans to require masks or social distancing. We will alert you directly if this changes. We of course welcome you to take any precautions that make you more comfortable.

We do strongly encourage guests to follow the CDC’s official COVID recommendation for people traveling to Ireland, which is as follows, as of 8/15:

“All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see Your COVID-19 Vaccination for more information.”

WHAT IF I HAVE DIETARY RESTRICTIONS?

If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, please note them with your RSVP. We will make every effort to ensure that you are accommodated during all wedding events.

Many restaurants in Dingle are happy to accommodate all diners, but if you are more comfortable enjoying your own food, there are several places to pick up your own groceries within walking distance from the wedding venue, including:

- Garvey's SuperValu Dingle

- Sheehy’s Spar

- Morans Supermarket

- Lidl

- Centra Dingle

DO I HAVE A PLUS ONE?

You can see how many seats have been reserved for your party when you RSVP.

DO YOU HAVE ANY DINGLE RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS?

Dingle is a foodie town! Situated on Ireland’s west coast, Dingle is home to very fresh food from land and sea.

There are 4(!) Michelin-starred restaurants right downtown. Advance reservations are highly recommended for this kind of special experience.

There are many restaurants available for walk-in dining as well, we love The Fish Box and locally made Murphy’s Ice Cream.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I SEE WHILE I’M VISITING IRELAND?

There’s so much to see in Ireland, it can be overwhelming!

Here are some of our top 3 picks:

Attractions:

- Killarney National Park

- The Cliffs of Moher

- Guinness Storehouse (you don’t even have to like beer to have fun 😉)

Towns (other than Dingle):

- Galway

- Kilkenny

- Dublin

Restaurants:

- Brasserie On The Corner, Galway

- The Fish Box, Dingle

- Peruke & Periwig, Dublin

- (Ok, one more!) High tea, The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin

WHAT SHOULD I PACK?

Like Maine, Ireland is known for its changeable weather.

For the wedding:

As you consider what you’d like to wear, here are a few details that may help. The wedding ceremony will only be outdoors if weather permits. We will not be on grass (except possibly for family portraits), so all footwear should be fine.

The reception will be indoors.

General packing:

We recommend layers and a raincoat for everyone. If you’d like to hike and explore, comfy shoes like waterproof hiking boots will be a great asset in any weather.

In Dingle, some accommodations actually provide rain boots for you to borrow if you’d like to hike around during your stay, be sure to ask if this is something that interests you.

IS THERE ANY LANGUAGE BARRIER?

Most people speak English in Ireland! If you get lost or need a recommendation, locals are often friendly and happy to help.

WILL MY PHONE WORK IN IRELAND?

This depends on your carrier. The best way to find out for sure is by reviewing your plan, or by calling your carrier directly.

If you plan to rent a car, plan to either rent a GPS, or pay for international phone service, so you can use mapping apps.

WHAT KIND OF PLUGS DO THEY USE IN IRELAND?

Ireland uses plug type G, which is the plug that has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. Ireland operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

SHOULD I TIP IN IRELAND?

A general rule of thumb is, if you want to tip, or you feel like tipping would be appropriate, it will be appreciated! 10-15% is often plenty.

There are lots of great articles about this online, covering every potential tipping scenario.

WHO DESIGNED YOUR SAVE THE DATE?

Orion’s super talented sister, Phoebe! 🌟 Check her out on Instagram @phueydesigns