There are many guidebooks on Ireland written largely for the overseas visitor. This year due to Covid-19 we will have time to get to know Ireland without overseas visitors. For marketing Ireland to overseas visitors, Failte Ireland has developed 5 different marketing brands.  Choose one or all for your holiday in Ireland. The summer of 2020 is an opportunity to do this and get to know Ireland better

*  Visit Dublin – Dublin living thrives side by side with the natural outdoors so you can constantly jump between completely unique, different and often unexpected experiences in Dublin city and county.

Ireland’s Ancient East – stretches from  Meath all along the East Coast of Ireland to Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford and as far as Midleton in East Cork.

• Hidden Heartlands – covers the Midlands of Ireland with its River Shannon, lakes, bogs and many historical sites are quieter and have much to offer.
• Wild Atlantic Way- has been Fáilte Ireland’s greatest success in marketing Ireland to the overseas visitor who wishes to drive the 2500 km journey along the western coast from Malin Head in Donegal to Mizen Head in the south and as far as Kinsale.
• Walk with Giants –  Northern Ireland with its Giant’s Causeway coastline, Glens of Antrim, the Mourne Mountains and Slieve Gullion offers some of the best things to see on the island.

Ireland the Best.  – Insiders Guide to Ireland by John & Sally McKenna 2018

This is the most detailed of all the guide books to Ireland and the best for those who want to see Ireland in depth. The layout could be more attractive as it does not have photographs or many maps. But it gives detail on each area of Ireland, listing the best places to stay and eat in each region. It also offers information on historical sites, driving routes, activities and much more.  It’s also the only book giving details on all of Ireland’s offshore islands and how to reach them. The layout takes some getting used to as it is organised under headings rather than areas of the country. This book is a great aid to planning and organising your trip in Ireland this summer. There are some maps at the back of the book, with reference to pages where information is listed.

Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way –   By Neil Jackman Collins Press 2018

For those interested in historic treasures and the Wild Atlantic Way this is the book for you. It details what you can see with photographs, Go ordinates, directions and distance from the nearest town.

Eyewitness Travel Guide to Ireland  – 1995  published by Dorling Kindersley

This guide book has an easy to read format with colour photos and illustrations of the highlights. There are more details on what to see throughout the country. There are no suggestions on activities available and not a lot of detail on accommodation or meals. The maps are of the region in general, so follow the Google maps or buy an Ordnance Survey map of the area you plan to visit. This guide book is aimed at the international visitor to Ireland. 

Lonely Planet Guide to Ireland     – April 2020  Edition.

The Lonely Planet guide format has remained the same for many years with detailed information on what to see and do as you travel to Ireland. It is well researched but is aimed at people who want to backpack around the country, rather than gain a detailed understanding of the country

Rough Guide to Ireland  – 2018  Edition

If you follow Guide books most people of a certain age like either the Rough Guide or Lonely Planet formats. The Rough Guide is a detailed guide to Ireland with accommodation and some eating places as well as the best places to see. It offers good maps and layout but is aimed at the international market rather than the domestic traveller.

Rick Steves Ireland –   2020 Edition.

This Guide book is firmly orientated towards the independent traveller who wants to do Ireland. The main hot spots are strongly represented with maps, accommodation and places to eat. Rick Steves focuses on certain areas and gives a lot of detail – the first 135 pages deal with Dublin.  However, Wicklow and Meath only get 20 pages and in Cork, he covers only Cobh and Kinsale. There is no reference to the stunning Beara Peninsula and this selective approach is reflected in many other counties.

Walking Guide Books  –

There are many good guide books for walkers in Ireland, many published by the Collins press. The most comprehensive list of local walking books is available here

Cycling in Ireland Guide Book

Cycling in Ireland by David Flanagan  – This book gives details of 80 cycling routes of different lengths and difficulty in Ireland.

Cycling Munster by Dan McCarthy has detailed maps and routes for cycling trips all over Munster and is a great addition to any holiday. Bike hire in West Cork, Guided Tours in Kinsale or details of cycling trips on Ireland’s greenways are listed on ActivityDays

Activity Days Blogs

Activity Days has begun writing blogs on different aspects of Ireland. For the Top 10 Ancient Sites in Ireland. Cycling in Ireland,  Walking in Ireland, Best Castles in Ireland, Best 10 things to do in Beara Peninsula, Top 10 in Mizen and Sheeps Head. Enjoy Ireland in 2020 – this country has so much to offer all the family on holidays. Guided tours with local guides listed on ActivityDays.ie site.