Travel

Ireland is within easy reach of England s shores. (Photo: ireland,limerick image by AGITA LEIMANE from Fotolia )

Nothing but a narrow sea channel divides England and the emerald island of Ireland, and that amp;#039;s all that stops you from visiting. Weekend getaways to Ireland are an easy introduction to the country, book-ended by a simple ferry ride or airplane trip. This proximity makes visiting Ireland simple and convenient, whether you want to visit for a couple of days or weeks at a time.

The most straightforward way to travel to Ireland from England is via airplane. A number of jet carriers travel between England and Ireland, departing from airports all over England to a number of airports in Ireland.

While you can travel to the edges of Ireland and England via rail or car, the only other way to cross the straits between the islands is by ferry. A number of companies run ferry routes to Ireland from all over the UK, but there are a limited number of direct routes from England to Ireland.

Ryan Air is an Ireland-based airline that is noted for its dramatically low fares. Early bookings through Ryan Air can net a substantial savings and they fly between a number of convenient stops in Ireland and England.

Aer Lingus, Ireland amp;#039;s official air carrier, is more an international airline than a local carrier, but it still offers shuttle service between several major cities in Ireland and England.

Flybe is a discount European carrier and brags of being the most scheduled airline in cities like Belfast, Birmingham and Southampton, making it a convenient and affordable choice.

Flight times vary a little, but the crossing is quite rapid, usually taking only between an hour to an hour and a half, regardless of departure points or destination.

Stena Line started as a ferry company in Scandinavia and now offers transport throughout that region, as well as in the North Sea and to Ireland.

P amp;amp;O Irish Sea was formed in a merger in 1998, incorporating companies with a history of more than 50 years of plying the channels between England and Ireland.

Norfolkline is part of the Maersk Group of transport companies, and it offers ferry services between France and Belgium, as well as England and Ireland.

All ferry crossings to Ireland, whether departing from Liverpool or Fleetwood, take between seven and eight hours.

Air service to Ireland is available at just about any major airport, particularly thanks to Ryan Air amp;#039;s widespread service. Several of London amp;#039;s airports are available, naturally, as well as larger cities like Manchester and Newcastle, but many smaller regional centers offer air travel to Ireland as well, including Leeds, Bristol and the Midlands.

Ferries directly from England to Ireland depart from just two locations: Liverpool and Fleetwood, in Lancashire, located halfway up the Eastern coast of England, just north of Blackpool.

Direct flights to Ireland are most common to its largest cities, like Dublin, Derry and Belfast. However, additional flights thanks largely to Ryan Air, now cover much more of the country, including tourist destinations like Cork and Kerry.

Ferries from Liverpool arrive directly in Dublin, Ireland amp;#039;s largest city. Ferries from Fleetwood arrive in Larne, in Northern Ireland, about 20 miles north of Belfast.

Since the soothing of the amp;quot;troubles amp;quot; in Northern Ireland and the subsequent lessened security, passports and visas are not required for travel anywhere in England or Ireland. However, as with any air carrier, valid ID is required for boarding planes, and foreign travelers should carry valid ID at all times, just in case.

If you are driving in England or Ireland, a driver amp;#039;s license that is recognized as valid for international driving purposes is also necessary.