Ireland is actually quite easy, regarding documentation, for visitors from North America, Australia, and the EU to travel to for vacation.

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What Documents Do You Need to Enter Ireland?

Most visitors need only a valid passport to enter the Republic of Ireland. Your passport must be valid for the length of your trip to Ireland. Your passport must also have at least one blank page for your entry stamp.

Citizens of the United Kingdom can also use official photo identification.

EU citizens can use their national identity card to travel through Ireland, as long as they arrive and depart via an airport or ferry port in the Republic of Ireland. For travel to Northern Ireland, an EU citizen will need to obtain UK Electronic Travel Authorization (information below). If an EU citizen travels to or from Northern Ireland directly, a passport and ETA are required.

TIP: be sure to check what form of ID is required by your travel provider (airline, ferry, cruise) before traveling.

Americans and all non-EU citizens entering Ireland with a passport can remain in Ireland for 90 days if their passport is valid for that period.

If you plan to stay longer than 3 months you must apply to extend your visitor permission. More information can be found on the Irish Immigration website.

Does My Child Need a Passport to Travel to Ireland?

Regulations for adults apply to children as well. Children must have a valid passport to visit Ireland.

Children from the UK or EU must have valid travel documents.

Obtaining Your First US Passport (for US citizens only)

Obtaining a passport is relatively painless, quite akin to getting a driver's license as both agencies are run by the US government and require standing in slow moving lines and a wait period until you actually receive the passport.

An adult US Passport is valid for 10 years.

You can make the process move a bit quicker if you arrive prepared:

Photos can be done before hand or can be taken at the post office. You can have passport images taken at Walgreens and many independent photo labs for under $20. AAA members can have them taken free of charge.
Do not take the images at home; the government is very particular about size, background, head size, smiling, etc.)
Download and fill out the necessary paperwork. Download US passport forms here.
Remember your forms of ID: proof of US citizenship (Certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state; Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth; Naturalization Certificate; Certificate of Citizenship) and present identification (valid drivers license; government or military ID; naturalization certificate). You should also bring a photo copy of each document.
Children require passports, too, with a bit more paperwork. Both parents must be with the child when the passport is applied for. Additional paperwork includes evidence of parental relationship (certified birth certificate or adoption decree), present IDs for both parents + photocopies and parental consent.
Note: Children's passports are valid 5 years and do cost less.
First time applicants will pay an application fee + an execution fee. If applying at a post office you will also pay shipping charges.
Additional fees can include expedited processing and delivery.
Renewals are a single fee.
Plan ahead. Though a passport should only take 4-6 weeks to reach you, it can take longer. I recommend a 2-3 month window.

US passport renewal for adults over the age of 25 can now be done online.
Children must visit a passport office for passport renewals.

Do I Need a Visa to Visit Ireland?

24 countries currently require a tourist visa to enter Ireland. Requirements vary for these countries and the best information to understand what citizens of these countries need to visit Ireland is found at the Visit Ireland – Tourist Path page of the Irish Immigration website.