Aer Lingus Classic items. Tickets, planning, etc.

[UKClone]

For the people who have been to Ireland recently, am I better off carrying cash or plastic? What is etiquette on tipping at pubs / restaurants? What other cultural differences should I be aware of?

Also I will owe someone a bottle of Irish whiskey for taking care of my animals while I am gone. What are some recommendations?

You don’t really need cash and generally don’t need to tip at all, but can do ~10% if you are particularly happy with service (we live in the UK and pretty much never tip anywhere).

If your pet sitter likes Irish cream, Five Farms is a great option, and much better than Baileys.

 

[Rocco’sModernWorld]

For the people who have been to Ireland recently, am I better off carrying cash or plastic? What is etiquette on tipping at pubs / restaurants? What other cultural differences should I be aware of?

Also I will owe someone a bottle of Irish whiskey for taking care of my animals while I am gone. What are some recommendations?

I have never had issues with cards being accepted. Only exception is Amex. That can be iffy on being accepted.

 

[Cycsk]

If your pet sitter likes Irish cream, Five Farms is a great option, and much better than Baileys.

This may be the only acceptable time to get something other than Iowish Cream from Mississippi River Distilling Company.

 

[burn587]

SOB, those were expensive. Even more than Oasis tix I got for the Sunday prior to the game. #humblebrag

We’re doing the same. This couldn’t have timed out any better.

 

[NickTheGreat]

For the people who have been to Ireland recently, am I better off carrying cash or plastic? What is etiquette on tipping at pubs / restaurants? What other cultural differences should I be aware of?

Also I will owe someone a bottle of Irish whiskey for taking care of my animals while I am gone. What are some recommendations?

Walk into a pub and tell people that the United Kingdom is so beautiful today.

 

[ISUcyclones11]

Count me in. Will be in London early in the week then be in Dublin.

Flights in total will be under $1k even after I buy the RyanAir leg (LON to DUB)

 

[BTomlin]

We got our tickets and travel all booked last week. I guess we will see everyone across the pond. We are going to be there for a week so next is figuring out some 'day trips'.

 

[Clones123]

This is NOT true. UK and Irish citizens don’t necessarily need passports to travel between the countries, but if you are on a US passport yours will be checked.

Also, you now need an ETA to travel to the UK if you are not just transferring through the airport.

Good to know, thank you! Are these fairly easy to obtain, and do I have to go through customs each time I cross the border? I'm also taking the train to Belfast for a day and a half or so, would I need another one, or is it good for "x" amount of time? Glad someone is telling me this now as opposed to when I arrive!

 

[RayShimley]

Good to know, thank you! Are these fairly easy to obtain, and do I have to go through customs each time I cross the border? I'm also taking the train to Belfast for a day and a half or so, would I need another one, or is it good for "x" amount of time? Glad someone is telling me this now as opposed to when I arrive!

UK ETA is good for 2 years, so you could technically visit multiple times within that period on the same ETA. Your ETA for England will also be valid for Belfast (NI). I'll probably get one out of an abundance of caution since I'm also visiting Belfast as part of our trip to Ireland, but it's pretty questionable that you would ever actually need it given there's no customs enforcement between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland due to the Good Friday Agreement

 

[Cycsk]

Took the CF charter survey. Would really love to get some info about pricing.

 

[UKClone]

Good to know, thank you! Are these fairly easy to obtain, and do I have to go through customs each time I cross the border? I'm also taking the train to Belfast for a day and a half or so, would I need another one, or is it good for "x" amount of time? Glad someone is telling me this now as opposed to when I arrive!

The stupid thing about Brexit and the new rules is there is no passport control within the Irish island. So, fly London to Dublin there is passport control. Fly London to Belfast there is not (same nation). Train Belfast to Dublin there is not (same island).

As the other poster said, they are good for a period of time anyway so all of the above is moot!

 

[UKClone]

UK ETA is good for 2 years, so you could technically visit multiple times within that period on the same ETA. Your ETA for England will also be valid for Belfast (NI). I'll probably get one out of an abundance of caution since I'm also visiting Belfast as part of our trip to Ireland, but it's pretty questionable that you would ever actually need it given there's no customs enforcement between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland due to the Good Friday Agreement

This is spot on.

 

[MSPClone210]

Anyone looking for game tickets? We purchased 2 (directly from Aer Lingus) in the Touchdown Club East section and can no longer make the trip.

Ive sent an email to Aer Lingus about ticket exchange but haven't heard back yet.

If interested, please send me a PM!

 

[MRN4ISU]

Wife and I spent 2 weeks in Ireland for our honeymoon, here are some of my recommendations:

kilmainham gaol is an absolutely must-see. under the radar and awesome
phoenix park is really cool, kids will love it
trinity college tour is touristy but we enjoyed it
dublin castle is very cool as well
Jameson and Guinness tours are outstanding but if you have to choose one, do Guinness

Wicklow National Park is just south of dublin and it is gorgeous (Powerscourt Garden is a very cool stop)
Smithwick's is probably the best brewery tour in Kilkenny
Kinsale/Cork area is stunning and not as touristy as other areas
The Ring of Kerry drive is stunning and what you think of when you picture ireland
Galway is great but it is a young person / party town - lots of clubs, not as much history to see. It is a good base for the wilder NW part of Ireland but it was not our favorite
Dingle is also EXTREMELY touristy, you can probably find other places just as cool without the bodies

Above all - please rent a car and explore the country side. farms, small villages, pubs, etc - that is the real ireland and you can't experience it by train

 

[Remo Gaggi]

 

[cyfanbr]

In regards to using credit cards abroad. Visa and Mastercard are always safe as they are the two kings in the market. Any other cards and coverage becomes a lot more iffy.

 

[CycloneNick]

Any updates on the Cyclone Fanatic Charter?

 

[BigJCy]

 

[AustinCy]

For the people who have been to Ireland recently, am I better off carrying cash or plastic? What is etiquette on tipping at pubs / restaurants? What other cultural differences should I be aware of?

Pretty much everything in downtown Dublin at least takes Visa or MC. In various corner pubs I have stopped into off the MetroLink (rail) going out of downtown, think there was only one I ever recalled that posted "Euros only".

Btw, do NOT tip your Irish bartenders. Most bartenders are paid rather well. And my coworkers in Dublin back up that advice that it is a "noble profession" which frowns on especially Americans leaving big tips. The touristy Temple Bar district in mid-town maybe an exception. Matter of fact, I have noticed several times a "Yank" leaving a tip and the bartender will just leave it sitting there expecting that to be some kind of down pmt on their next round

Another bit of advice - Dublin bar service never seems particularly quick. So be patient especially with your Guinness order. They will walk away from the tap sometimes even twice to let the head properly settle and get annoyed by unsuspecting, impatient Yanks (and maybe take an extra lap on other orders as remembering a tipping patron has no real benefit). So best rule of thumb is to head back to the bar with some left in your pint to drink while you wait on your next one

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

Another bit of advice - Dublin bar service never seems particularly quick. So be patient especially with your Guinness order. They will walk away from the tap sometimes even twice to let the head properly settle and get annoyed by unsuspecting, impatient Yanks (and maybe take an extra lap on other orders as remembering a tipping patron has no real benefit). So best rule of thumb is to head back to the bar with some left in your pint to drink while you wait on your next one

That's the proper way to pour a Guinness. Pour it about 3/4, let it sit and then finish it off.