Hi everyone,
When planning a trip to Ireland, some still prefer a good old map or brochure, whether it's for planning a road-trip or a cycling itinerary. Here are some of the best paper and offline resources to use on the Emerald Isle.
1. OSI Maps (Tailte Éireann – formerly Ordnance Survey)The best topographic maps of the Republic of Ireland, hands down. They’re especially great for hiking, exploring remote areas or even for all-around usage for visitors. Check out the tourism and leisure section of their website.
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https://www.tailte.ie2. Digital maps and brochures from Ireland.comIf you’re in the early planning stage of your trip, our own ireland.com has handy maps and brochures on all sorts of topics: itineraries, city highlights, tourist maps, etc. Feel free to download them for offline viewing or print the ones you need during your trip.
🔗 Ireland.com Brochures & Maps3. Walking and cycling trailsBoth offer downloadable trail maps and filters for difficulty, terrain, and accessibility. Sport Ireland offers both .gpx and PDF maps (for those who prefer using apps).
4. Tourism offices: free paper maps & brochuresLocal tourist information offices are a goldmine. You’ll often find walking maps, brochures, and helpful tips from locals.
🔗 Discover Ireland (for the Republic of Ireland)
🔗 Discover Northern Ireland (For Northern Ireland - they also include downloadable brochures)
5. Travel guides- Lonely Planet is a favourite for practical tips, off-the-beaten-path suggestions, and background info.
- Le Routard (for French speakers) offers a more cultural, budget-conscious perspective – with quirky anecdotes and detailed itineraries. Both include mini-maps and can serve as a reliable backup when you’re offline or between stops
Pro tip:
For paper map lovers, bring a waterproof map pouch or zip-lock bag. And it doesn’t need charging, ever.
Does our Community have a favourite map series or any other tips? Share below!