You won’t need a visa to enter Ireland if you are visiting as a tourist and hold a United States passport, advises the State Department. If you’ll be traveling using a passport issued by a country other than the United States, you may need to arrange a visa in advance. Check if your country is listed in Schedule 1 of Ireland's Immigration Act 2004 (Visas); if it is, you don’t need a tourist visa. U.S. passport holders may need a visa to study or do business in Ireland if they will be there longer than three months, so check with the Irish embassy if your visit is for any reason other than tourism.
A valid driver’s license is a must if you plan to drive a car in Ireland, but you can also use an International Driving Permit. Most Irish rental companies won’t let you rent a car if you’re under 24 or over 75, advises Frommer's, so be prepared to show your passport as proof of your age. You may also face problems if you have held your license for less than a year.
Irish healthcare provision is reliable, but make sure you have sufficient insurance to cover the costs if you need medical attention during your trip. The State Department warns that not all medical insurance is valid outside the United States, so check your policy well before you travel and take out additional coverage if necessary. In addition, a travel insurance policy covers you against expenses incurred as a result of delays or cancellations, so taking out this type of insurance can provide extra peace of mind during your trip.
Not only should you bring enough prescription medication -- medicine should be in its original packaging, so it will more easily pass through customs -- to last throughout your trip, you should also bring a copy of your doctor’s prescription. You may need this in the event that your medication is queried at Irish customs.
