Discovering Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland

Wait, isn’t it all one country? This is a common misconception among first-time visitors and those that are not from that region. While it is in fact one island, it is two separate countries- Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. To start, the Republic of Ireland is a sovereign state and is part of the European Union (EU). Northern Ireland, however, is part of the United Kingdom (UK), which has not been part of the EU since 2020. Therefore, you will also see differences in governance. The Republic of Ireland is governed by their President, currently Michael Higgins, while Northern Ireland is ruled by the British Monarch, King Charles III. However, when it comes to day-to-day governing, both countries are overseen by their respective Prime Ministers, or Taoiseach in Ireland.

If you visit both countries, you’ll need two different currencies. Ireland uses the Euro while Northern Ireland uses the Pound Sterling, as does the rest of the UK. However, the easiest form of money to bring when visiting is Visa or Mastercard as both are widely accepted throughout the entire island.

The primary differences – separation, currencies, and governance – are what mainly distinguish the two countries. Generally, it can be deduced that Northern Ireland follows what the rest of the UK does while Ireland, as its own free state, has more individual standards unique to their country only. There are additional, more in-depth details and a ton of history that goes into why this is how it is, which you can learn when visiting either.

With that cleared up, let’s look into the role Scotland plays in the relationship between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland seem very similar geographically and, in some ways, culturally, but there are some main differences that set the countries apart.

Generally speaking, Scotland has more of a dramatic and diverse landscape than Ireland and Northern Ireland, but comparatively has less of a unique history as Ireland. Since Scotland is part of the United Kingdom, you will still see British influences present today as well as a melting pot of ancestry – Gaelic Celtic, Brythonic Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and Norse. Speaking to the island of Ireland as a whole, you’ll find most Irish are Gaelic Celtic. There are so many Gaelic Celtic people that you can find areas in Ireland, called Gaeltacht regions, where the Irish language was, until recently, the primary spoken language of most of the community.

Majestic mountains, rugged coastlines, and gorgeous waterways make up Scotland’s natural scenery and are a significant attraction for the country. While Ireland and Northern Ireland also have an abundance of scenic beauty, their historically significant sites and lively night entertainment are what draw in tourists from around the world. When it comes to climates, both the island of Ireland and Scotland are known for heavy cloud coverage and milder climates in comparison to the rest of Continental Europe. Scotland can have more extreme weather, with warmer temps and a touch more humidity than Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Now that we’ve covered some of the history and distinct differences throughout these three incredible destinations, is there one that you find most intriguing? Don’t make your decision quite yet – it’s time to get a glimpse into what you will experience on each of these tours! We’ve compiled some of our favorite activities and attractions from Enchanting Ireland as well as Scotland & Northern Ireland to help make this impossible decision easier.

Now that you have a better understanding of these awe-inspiring regions and a glimpse of what to expect on each trip, we hope you feel clarity on which trip is perfect for your next dreamy getaway. There is no right or wrong answer – in fact, we believe both trips are a must because each destination is uniquely its own. No matter your choice, we will be here to provide worry-free travel filled with enrichment and excitement.

If you have additional questions about the trips before making a decision, we invite you to call our expert Tour Sales Consultant team at 1-888-867-2190. They look forward to sharing all of the information you need to travel confidently. And when you’re ready to reserve your spot on either (or both!) of these adventures, all it takes is a call and a $200 deposit that is fully-refundable if you need to cancel for any reason prior to the final payment date. We look forward to bringing you on a memorable trip across the pond!