The airports in Ireland make exploring the Emerald Isle a breeze. Many international visitors first arrive at Dublin Ireland Airport, in the capital city, and from Dublin it is easy to catch a connecting flight to another area of the country, such as Shannon Airport outside Limerick, or to hop in a rental car and continue your exploration by road. Some visitors will want to fly directly into the west of Ireland, and this option is available seasonally. During the summer you are much more likely to find flights into Shannon Airport than during the winter. Wherever you begin your Ireland adventure, you are sure to fall in love with the landscapes, people, and welcoming atmosphere.

The biggest airport in the country is Dublin Ireland Airport. Located just north of the capital city itself, Dublin Airport receives many international flights daily. If you are looking for an affordable flight to Dublin, there are numerous options from East Coast airports in the US, such as New York and Newark. It may also be more affordable to fly to London or Paris and connect from there. The national Irish airline is Aer Lingus, and they fly to a variety of destinations from Dublin Airport. Whether you want to fly to Shannon Airport or are looking for an affordable flight from London, check out the national carrier Aer Lingus in addition to other airlines you usually fly.

Other airports in Ireland include Shannon Airport, Cork Airport, Donegal Airport, Galway Airport, and Sligo Airport. Shannon Airport, located in County Clare, is considered by many to be the gateway to the west of Ireland. From Shannon you can rent a car and easily explore any of the main attractions on the west coast of Ireland, from Killarney to Galway to Connemara. It is possible to reach Shannon Airport not only from Dublin, but from a variety of international destinations. There is direct service between Atlanta, Las Vegas, and New York and Shannon Airport. Within Europe, there is direct service from London, Paris, and Zurich.

Ireland Map

Cork Airport is another of the airports in Ireland that handles international traffic. While there are currently no direct flights from the United States to Cork Airport, it is possible to connect to Cork through other European cities, including Dublin, Paris, London, and Edinburgh. All of these large airports in Ireland will have facilities for changing money (though using ATMs might be cheaper), will have options for food and refreshments, and have tourist information desks to help you with finding a hotel or general information.

The procedure at many Irish airports, including Dublin Ireland Airport, is the same. If you are arriving from the States you will need to fill out a landing card, unless you are an EU citizen. When you arrive, you will speak to an immigration officer, who will check your passport, ask about the purpose and length of your visit, and stamp your passport. After passing through, you will move on to baggage claim, and finally pass through customs into the arrivals hall. From the arrivals hall, you can proceed to rent a car, take a taxi or bus into the city, and begin your Irish adventure.