This is a serious question!

I live in a county (Canada) with various bugs the size of aircraft carriers. Is Ireland a buggy place? Should we anticipate mosquitos or biting flies or anything in particular in September? We'll be touring the whole country, with a week on a canal barge, a week in the southwest and the rest on the road (5 weeks total).

Thanks, serious replies only, please!

Alison

Luckily there are very few biting flies in Ireland. The worst you'll get will be some midges that don't usually bite (I've lived here all my life and have never had a bite - but am always the first to get bitten when I go on holidays!).

You will not find anything like you have in Canada Do not worry

Thanks Cailin and SiobhanP!!!

One of us is allergic to bee stings and I am a mosquito magnet. Just wanted to know what we needed to prepare for. Sounds wonderful!!

Alison

I am a mosquito magnet as well. I was eaten alive in a summer in Finland...do not ever want to be bitten like that again!

Although we don't have problems with mosquitos you may see the odd horsefly (which bite) and you'll definitely see bees (but not too many).

Have been to ireland three times - spending a significant amount of time in the country and was amazed by the almost complete lack of bugs. It was really surprising - since there is no hard frost in the winter I assumed the bugs would be there in swarms - but nary a one.

I am the complete mosquito magnet - and never saw a single one - nor any other flying nasties - perhaps St. Patrick banished them with all the snakes.