Last Updated on March 28, 2023 by PowersToTravel
I’ve always envied people who watch for bargain airfare, gobble it up when it appears, and pop over to Europe on a whim. I’ve envied them not because they have the money to do this, but because they have the flexible lifestyle to accommodate such rapid change.
As a diabetic who wants to travel, I feel constrained by the fact that I can’t just up and go.
However, Ireland is one of those destinations where it might just be possible! As long as I’m not near the end of my three-month supply of insulin, blood test strips, infusion sets, etc, such that I have sufficient to bring for the trip and then double, I just might be able to swing it!
Why is this?
Check out my Diabetic Travel Tips for International Travel, and you’ll see how few pertain to Ireland!
Here’s my list, created from my experiences on multiple trips:
- Vaccines, Malaria and the Travel Clinic
- Flying with Diabetes
- So Much More Activity Than Usual
- Eating the Food and Drinking the Water
- Protecting your Diabetic Supplies from Theft
- Strongly Consider Travel Insurance
- Conclusion
Vaccines, Malaria and the Travel Clinic
Vaccines, Malaria and the Travel Clinic
What!? Of course, one does not need to consider vaccines and unfamiliar insect-born illnesses when planning a trip to Ireland. I guess that’s why Ireland was one of my go-to places (along with Scotland, Norway and Iceland) when I was afraid of the tropics BG. (BG means “Before-Greg”, who inspired me to go further than I thought possible!)
Flying with Diabetes
Flying With Diabetes
Of all the countries in Europe, Ireland is one of the closest to the US. The flight is much shorter than you would expect. Of course, all the usual concerns regarding keeping your insulin cold, getting through TSA inspection at the airport, and balancing your glucose / insulin levels while flying, apply to even the short plane trip to Ireland.
Did you know you can either fly to Dublin, or you can fly to Shannon? When I would travel with my parents BG (before-Greg), we would avoid the stress of the cities (I had enough stress managing engineers every day to want to add more stress in a city!) We would fly directly to Shannon and instantly be in the countryside, enjoying the fantastic sights of County Clare.
So much more activity than usual
So Much More Activity than Usual
Indeed, this is a true statement for Ireland, as one major reason to go to Ireland is to get out and about in the countryside, checking out the marvelous cliffs and castles. But this not a preparation diabetic travel tip, it’s just a “remember to consider” tip as you go out and about.
Eating the Food and Drinking the Water
Eating the Food and Drinking the Water
All the water in the EU is potable. Isn’t that relaxing? Salad anytime! Of course, Ireland is not known for its salads, but then you can eat what you want in Ireland!
Protecting your Diabetic Supplies from Theft
Protecting your Diabetic Supplies from Theft
I guess that applies everywhere, as my life relies on my supplies. But the quiet countryside of Ireland is not known for tourist theft problems. So I keep my supplies safe in our B&B if I can, and if we have to be on the road with them, I try to keep them covered; and not show off any other items which might attract thieves. But I don’t get hyper about it, as I did once in Costa Rica.
Strongly Consider Travel Insurance
Strongly Consider Travel Insurance
As I have said earlier – or bragged perhaps? – my medical plan covers me for international travel, and will pay for local doctor and hospital care. For a destination such as Ireland, I’m completely comfortable in relying on the local heathcare system in an emergency. For that reason, I don’t buy the Travel Insurance. But for those of you who don’t have this luxury, then even a “simple” puddle-jumper trip to Ireland warrants the quick purchase of Travel Insurance – perhaps not the Platinum or Gold version with evacuation, as the lesser cost options will cover a lot of medical costs – but a purchase nonetheless.
Ireland Diabetic Travel Tips – I’m ready!
Diabetic Travel Tips – I’m ready!
Wow, writing this article makes me realize how easy it would be to up and go to Ireland.
It makes me want to rewrite my Diabetic Travel Tips for International Travel into two sections – tips for preparation, and tips for execution. Because other then having the packing list right at hand, supplies for the trip and then double, I’m ready to go! Now where’s that cheap airfare?
