Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

September 2025

4-minute read

Ireland, a Northwestern European Island, is known for its green landscapes, rich Celtic culture, and vibrant history. It is divided into the Republic of Ireland (a sovereign state) and Northern Ireland (part of the UK). The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro, has English and Irish (Gaelic) as official languages, and its capital is Dublin. Alongside large areas of rugged, rocky landscapes, expanses of lush, green fields have earned Ireland its nickname: the Emerald Isle.

As of July 2024, South African passport holders require a visa to enter Ireland for all purposes, including tourism, business, or family visits. This new requirement means that visitors will need to apply for a visa online through AVATS in advance of their travel to Ireland.

Farida Bobat, a born and bred Irish woman, was born in County Limerick in Southern Ireland where she was educated at an all-girls Catholic Convent School. She met her husband Dr Dawood Bobat when he came to Ireland and returned with him to South Africa in 1976. Farida reverted to Islam in the same year, settled in South Africa, and is a mother of two children and a grandmother of 6 beautiful granddaughters.

Top of the list of must-see cities in Ireland, according to Farida, is Dublin, one of the oldest inhabited cities dating back to the 11^th century. With its beautiful old, castles, colleges and cathedrals, a visit to Dublin feels like stepping back in time. Among its iconic landmarks is Dublin Castle, the beautiful Trinity College library packed with wood-bound books, the famous St Patrick’s Cathedral that was taken over and used as a court hundreds of years ago. There’s also the Royal College of Surgeons where medicine is taught. Kilmainham Gaol, a former prison where Irish fighters were tortured and killed, is now a museum and a fascinating place for those interested in history.

Natural wonders which visitors should include on their Irish itinerary include the Giant’s Causeway in Belfast that is made up of volcanic rock and looks like massive steps that a giant could walk on and boasts stunning views. Being a small country, one can cross Ireland from Dublin on the East to Galway on the West where one can view the rugged landscape of Cliffs of Moher in County Clare that jut out into the Atlantic Ocean.

From July to August, Ireland experiences lovely long hot summer days but “it is packed with tourists,” says Farida, and one would have to battle the queues, so it is better to visit in June or October, when the weather is mild and the place is not overcrowded.

As most European countries go, Ireland is an expensive destination, especially for South African travellers. The public transport is very reliable and accessible, and buses are the most convenient way to get around. Farida says that if you’re using the train, be sure to book in advance to get a cheaper ticket. Renting a car is also a good, reasonable option as the Irish travel on the same side of the road as South Africans do.

Known as the Land of 100 000 people, and the Land of Saints and Scholars, the Irish people are very friendly, generous and very welcoming of tourists. In the 60’s and 70’s, there was an influx of Muslim students from South Africa, Malaysia and the West Indies. In their search for halal food, they befriended a Pakistani gentleman who offered to start slaughtering cattle for them in the Islamic manner. He eventually opened a restaurant next to the South Circular Masjid and was then given a contract by the Irish government to slaughter livestock and export the meat to Libya. Now there are many more Muslims all over Ireland with well over 30 masaajid in the country.

For Muslim tourists, there are numerous halal restaurants just to the North and South of Dublin serving Turkish and Pakistani food and the well-known masjid on South Central Road has a restaurant attached to it. Farida mentions that while it is almost impossible to find Irish food that is halal, traditional Irish food includes a stew with lamb, carrots and potatoes, corned beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread and scones, and Irish tea loaf served with “good Irish butter”.

Listen to the full interview with Ml Muhammad Kara, Ml Ibrahim Daya and Farida Bobat.