Absolutely. How many destinations around the world can say that all national museums and galleries offer free entry? Our whole island offers just that. Although, we should note that sometimes they hold special exhibitions, such as Vermeer and the Masters of Genre Painting: Inspiration and Rivalry, which is visiting The National Gallery in Dublin, between Saturday 17 June and runs through to 17 September. But these are the exception rather than the rule, and you are always welcome to wander the rest of the gallery for free.
On the first Wednesday of every month, Heritage Ireland opens up its doors for free entry, so you can check out places like the Rock of Cashel and Kilkenny Castle – along with 100+ other sights without dipping your hand in your pocket. Then every September, Culture Night brings the island alive with over 3,000 incredible – and free – events.
For food, you can pick up your lunch in a market – the lovely local produce is guaranteed to be fresh! The English Market in Cork and St George’s Market in Belfast are ideal to stock up. You can find early bird menus between 5-7pm in a lot of restaurants, when menus are reduced in price. Or you can dine out in style at some of our Michelin starred restaurants – their lunch deals are simply superb value!
In fact, quite a lot of the island’s most fabulous experiences are free: soak up trad music in an Irish pub, follow the Starks around Game of Thrones territory in Northern Ireland or simply watch the Northern Lights as they glimmer over Donegal.
And remember, if you’re lucky enough to qualify for a discount, Ireland is full of deals for seniors, students and families, so keep your eyes out and make sure to ask if you’re not sure of what’s available!
If anyone else out there has other travel hacks to add to this, please share – the more the merrier!