General Travel
If you can’t make the trip to Ireland, we truly understand. Between airfare, time off, and these tariffs? Totally fair. Please don’t feel pressured — there’s always the follow-up celebration in Toronto on September 26th, 2026. Think summer dresses, Hawaiian shirts, and plenty of fun in slightly more familiar weather.
For those that make it, thank you so much for coming. The rest of this page are recommendations for your trip.
-
Visas: Irish border security is generally relaxed. Expect a few basic questions about your stay, and that’s about it.
- Canadians: No visa required. You can stay in Ireland for up to 90 days. Note: Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area, so check additional entry requirements if you're planning to travel elsewhere in Europe.
- British: Free travel into Ireland without any visa.
- EU Citizens: Fast-track entry, barely a question asked.
- ETIAS: Not applicable until late 2026, so you can forget about it for now.
- Currency: Ireland uses the Euro. At the time of writing, $1 CAD = €0.68
- Driving: Ireland drives on the left. Be extra cautious — roads outside of main motorways can be narrow, winding, and full of surprise sheep.
- Tipping: No.
- Electrical: Important: Do not use Canadian hair dryers or straighteners in Ireland — the voltage difference will fry them. Seriously, they can overheat, melt, or even catch fire. Leave them at home and save yourself (and the outlets) the drama!
- Uber: It’s… complicated. In Dublin, an Uber request gets you a regular taxi. Outside Dublin, Uber doesn’t really exist — best to have a local taxi number handy. All taxis take both cash and card.
What is a Laois? Where am I going? Who are these people?!
Laois is 1 of 32 counties in Ireland. It is located in the centre of the country about an hour outside of Dublin. Pronounce it like "Leash", like what you use to walk a dog.
Portlaoise ("Port leash"), population 25,000, is the main town within Laois. Abbeyleix ("Abbey leaks"), population 2000, is a smaller town south of Portlaoise. Ratheniska ("Rat-en-esk-a"), population ... 40 (?)... is where Mark grew up, a rural area to the south east of Portlaoise.
You'll disembark the diesel pigeon (colloquially known as an airplane) in Dublin, drive to Portlaoise, offroad it to Abbeyleix, attend the wedding cermony in Ratheniska, then back to Abbeyleix for the wedding venue.
Flights
Flights from Toronto to Dublin are overnight. Expect to be horrendously jet lagged the next day. We recommend arriving in Dublin, getting straight to your hotel, taking a few hours nap (not too much!) and then going to bed at your regular time.
For those travelling from Toronto to Dublin, we will recommend a flight closer to the date. Those on that flight will be picked up from the airport and brought to Abbeyleix.
Transport
Airport to Reception (Abbeyleix) - Bus & Taxi
Dublin Coach has a single direct route (route 726) from Dublin airport to Portlaoise for €12. You can book this online or at the bus if there is space. Journey time on the bus is 2 hours. Taxis can be found in Portlaoise that will take you to Abbeyleix for between €22-€30.
Airport to Dublin City Centre - Bus or Taxi
Dublin Express is a coach that uses routes 782 and 784 will bring you to Dublin City Centre for €8. This service stops at Heuston Station, O’Connell Street, and Trinity College.
Dublin Bus routes 16 and 41 will bring you to the city centre for €3.30 per person (exact change is required).
A taxi outside Dublin airport will bring you to the city centre for €25–€35, depending on time of day and traffic.
Dublin City Centre to Reception (Abbeyleix) - Bus or Train
Dublin Coach has (route 726) from Dublin City Centre to Portlaoise for €12. You can book this online or at the bus if there is space. Journey time on the bus is 2 hours. Taxis can be found in Portlaoise that will take you to Abbeyleix for between €22-€30.
You can take a train from Dublin Heuston Station to Portlaoise through Irish railcarrier Iarnród Éireann for €12-€20. Then take a taxi to Abbeyleix.
Public transport to the rest of the country
Irish railcarrier Iarnród Éireann operates from Portlaoise. There are direct routes to Dublin, and routes to Limerick and Galway (with 1 stop).
Most tour groups understandably operate from Dublin directly to locations throughout the country. There are tour groups that leave from Dublin, Galway and Limerick to such places as the Cliffs of Moher or Aran Islands.
Car rental
Car rental in Dublin airport has a variety of vendors. Most cars in Ireland use a manual transmission (shifting gear stick) which is on the left side. Automatic transmissions will have a premium price. An economy/compact car will cost €170-220 for a week.
Important notes for drivers; Ireland drives on the left hand side. Manual transmissions are on the left hand. Roundabouts are very common in Ireland and go clockwise (Canada goes anti-clockwise). Speed laws are very strictly enforced (especially motorways/highways). Country roads are less strictly enforced, resulting in high speeds on narrow and winding roads. The most west you go, the more winding the roads and more risk. SUVs are less common than Canada (sedans and compacts are very popular) and trucks are almost non-existant.
Wedding Accommodation
Abbeyleix Manor Hotel is 500m walk from the venue -
A preferred rate will be offered at a later date.
Day of the Wedding
Transport will be arranged for those without transport from Abbeyleix to the church, and back again.
Fintan, if you're reading this, arrive an hour early.
