Big Fan of the Irish Exit? Top Tips for Packing Light and Moving Fast
Have you ever slipped out of a social event without saying goodbye? Maybe you were tired, a little overserved, or just wanted to avoid a farewell fuss.
The Irish Goodbye. Exit stage left. Doing a disappearing act. Whatever you call it, we’ve all done it — made a quiet escape without stopping for send-offs.
Here in Ireland, we’re pros at it. Why? Because the alternative is to shake many hands, kiss lots of cheeks, and say goodbye a thousand times. This is especially true of weddings, parties , and every type of family get-together. We’re big-hearted people who like to show their love, but sometimes the process is a little long.
So what makes the perfect Irish exit? Planning, execution, and a little luck. By thinking ahead and staying nimble, you can enjoy everything Ireland has to offer, without finding yourself trapped by great aunt Irene as she regales you about the wonderful world of crochet.
If you’re a fan of the Irish exit who’s thinking of visiting Ireland from the U.S.A this year, here are the Aer Lingus team’s top tips for and moving fast.
1. Choose your luggage carefully
The generous Aer Lingus luggage allowance might tempt you to bring your biggest, chunkiest suitcase, but sometimes a lighter, more portable option is better. Some of our most beautiful hotels are hundreds of years old, full of history, character, colour — and stairs. If you want to slip in and out of your accommodation with as little fuss as possible, consider a bag you can throw over your shoulder or wheel quietly down a hallway.
2. Be smart about footwear
One of the best parts of a vacation to Ireland is walking the cobblestoned streets of Temple Bar in Dublin. If you want the full experience, make sure you pack a comfortable pair of shoes or boots. Or, if you really can’t leave the heels behind, consider a pair of fold-up sandals you can slip into your purse or backpack. That way you can dance the night away and then stroll home in comfort when you’re ready to leave.
3. Get travel savvy
If you want to move quickly around Ireland, pick up a Leap Card so you can hop on and off buses, trams, or trains without queuing for tickets. This works in many towns and cities in Ireland, but you should probably keep some small change handy for buses in rural areas. It’s also a good idea to download an app like Uber so you can arrange for a pick-up before you make your escape outside.
O’Connell Street, Dublin
4. Pack a snack for later
If you prefer to leave events before a formal meal begins, make sure to pack some portable snacks to keep hunger at bay. If you’re going straight from the airport to a party or get-together, you can get some Irish goodies from our Bia menu of in-flight food and snacks. You could always ask the event’s caterers for a takeaway container too — a great idea if you want your dessert to go.
5. Download maps and apps in advance
While almost every guesthouse or hotel in Ireland has excellent WiFi, you could find yourself struggling to get cell signal in some of our most remote and picturesque villages. If you like to leave pubs or restaurants early in the evening, make sure you’re prepared to find your way home. Use your flight time to download maps or directions in advance using our onboard WiFi.
6. Layer up for all seasons
Ireland’s weather is famously changeable, which means you might arrive at a party in the sunshine and leave in the pouring rain. Make sure you’re equipped by bringing foldable layers like a light sweater or waterproof jacket. Plus, if you don’t have to check a coat into the cloakroom, you can make a faster Irish exit when you’re ready to go!
Antrim Coastal Road
Of course, there’ll be times when you can’t just slip out unseen. And maybe you shouldn’t, too. Quite often the very best part of a night out in Ireland is when the lights are dimmed, the door is locked, and someone starts to sing or play a fiddle. Before you know it, you’re dancing on the tables, raising toasts to forgotten heroes, and listening to fascinating stories into the wee hours of the morning.
If that sounds good to you, now’s the perfect time to book that bucket-list trip to Ireland. In fact, we’ve just launched a direct flight from Nashville to Dublin, which means you could have breakfast in SoBro and supper at St. Stephen’s Green.
How’s that for an Irish exit?
