When Is the Best Time to Visit Ireland
Read our travel guide to find out when to go to Ireland, including tips on weather you can expect per season. Ireland is a great travel destination all year round. However, you can make your Ireland holiday more enjoyable if you pick the right time to explore this stunning European country. So, when is the best time to visit Ireland?
Are you about to start planning your trip to Ireland? Your probably the most burning question then might be when is the best time to visit Ireland from a traveler's point of view.
What is the top season for Ireland, when it rains the most or when your chances for sunny weather are high? We have got you covered.
Let's be honest here. Ireland is certainly not known as a destination where you'll be fine with just flip-flops and a light jacket.
No matter if you want to hike in the Wicklow Mountains, learn about Ireland's ancient history at Bru na Boinne, or marvel at Slieve League, you need to come prepared.
It is a country where the weather changes quicker than you would have expected, where it rains often, dark clouds can start rolling over the mainland out of nowhere, and the wind picks up quickly.
On the other hand, it is also a country where the conditions can get super-hot, where the sun shines incredibly strong, and you can experience here almost perfect day on the beach (although the water is still a bit cooler than we would have appreciated).
That's why figuring out when is the best time to visit Ireland can seem like a mission impossible. And to be true, it often is.
Yet, there are four distinctive seasons that bring certain types of weather patterns that can give you a hint about when you should travel to Ireland.
But choosing the best time of the year for visiting Ireland is not only about the weather.
There are many more influences you must factor in, the same as your own personal preferences.
What month is the rainiest? When to travel if you want to avoid crowds? Can you get around Ireland without a car? And what if you want to travel around Ireland on a budget?
Is there a perfect time of the year for these types of travelers?
And then, the perfect time to travel to Ireland differs for every person depending on the planned activities.
For instance, we planned this as a road trip and wanted to avoid the peak season. Therefore, we had planned the trip for May and knew that we wanted to rent a car in Ireland.
As you can see, this topic is pretty comprehensive, and that is why we have put together this travel guide that aims to help you choose the best season to travel to Ireland.
Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee you that in the supposedly hottest time of the year, a cold front won't hit the country.
Therefore, always come prepared and pack adequately.
The Best Time to Visit Ireland Weather-Wise
Ireland has four distinctive seasons. In general, you can visit Ireland at any time of the year, with summer being the most popular season.
And even though the period from May to the end of September is definitely the most popular one, given the ever-changing conditions, we would like to show you that every season has its pros and cons.
Then, it is only up to your decision when will you decide to visit Ireland.
No matter the season, it is absolutely crucial to pack warm, waterproof, and windproof clothes, but we will guide you through this topic in the last section of this post.
So when is the best time to visit Ireland when it comes to the weather?
Spring
We feel that traveling to any country in the world that has four seasons in spring can turn either way, and visiting Ireland is no different.
Spring in Ireland is defined by the months of March, April, and May.
Here, it is very important to take into consideration that meaning of the word spring in March and May can be completely different.
In general, the closer you travel to winter, the conditions are rougher. The closer to summer you visit the country, your chances for more stable and warmer weather are higher.
March is the time of the year when the country wakes up after winter.
Funnily enough, temperatures in March are not that dramatically different from temperatures in April or May, you can expect average temperatures around 8-12°C.
Simply put, spring is a great time to explore all types of places, ranging from Kilkenny Castle and Glendalough Monastic Site to Dublin and Glenveagh National Park.
In March and April, you will most likely see why the country got its nickname Emerald Isle, with April being one of the rainiest months of the year.
Because of the common rain, the grass here is almost unnaturally green, and it is probably at its best in April and May.
The temperatures are getting a bit higher in April and May, but you should still pack very responsibly for every occasion.
From March, days are also getting longer, which is perfect for traveling as you can see a lot during one day.
Personally, we traveled in May, we got up at 5 AM, to be on the road around 6 AM, and we often ended our day exhausted but happy around 8 PM.
Even though some days were long and tiring, we were able to see many incredible places we would miss otherwise.
The weather during spring is unpredictable and can change at any minute, especially on afternoons.
It is normal to wake up to a sunny day, and later on, the winds blowing from the Atlantic Ocean bring spells and clouds.
If this might be a disadvantage for some, on the other hand, there are also a few advantages, such as bearable temperatures, open attractions, and fewer tourists.
Although there are several top dates which we will talk about later, you should note, when planning on visiting Ireland in spring.
We have an experience from visiting Ireland in May, and can only recommend this month to anyone.
Yes, it rained for some time almost every day, but it was nothing that would make our trip any worse.
Ireland's gardens start to wake up in spring, so it's the perfect time to visit places such as Powerscourt Estate, Kylemore Abbey, or Birr Castle.
For visiting castles, even cloudy weather was perfect, and it almost never rained that hard for the rain to obscure our views.
Simply, Blarney Castle, Ross Castle, or Cahir Castle are stunning in any weather.
Also, there were periods of fine weather we enjoyed to the fullest, and although every year is different, we would have visited Ireland in May again with a light heart.
Summer
How's the summer like in Ireland travel-wise? You probably already sense that it is one of the most popular seasons to visit Ireland, and you are not far from the truth.
When it comes to the weather conditions, summer, which means the months of June, July, and August, is the almost perfect time for traveling around the country.
Due to great weather conditions, places such as the Ring of Kerry, Connemara National Park, or the Burren are best explored during this period.
Popular tourist villages and towns such as Kinsale, Dingle, or Clifden will be buzzing with life.
Not to mention large cities such as Galway or Cork that hold many events throughout the summer.
Still, the answer to whether you should focus your travel plans only for this period is not that straightforward.
Why? Because it is Ireland we are talking about, and the country is notoriously known for its ever-changing weather.
What can you expect then? For sure, June to August are the hottest months of the year, with temperatures ranging between 15 - 20°C.
It can be even hotter in the direct sun, but the almost non-stop wind makes sure you will feel comfortable most of the time.
When the wind stops blowing, it might get really hot, and if this happens during your visit, you should certainly enjoy the moment.
Take advantage of the great weather and start exploring some of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland, such as Fanore Beach, Dog's Bay Beach, Ballinskelligs Beach.
Summer is also the least rainy time of the year, but showers (and even longer wet periods) are more than common, so your rain gear should not stay back at home by no means.
Autumn
We feel that autumn is getting more and more popular among travelers for trips, and we would not certainly say that autumn in Ireland is the offseason.
Well, especially not September. September is, for many, a pleasant extension of the holiday season, and it often offers pleasant weather conditions.
Although, as we've already learned, pleasant weather is never guaranteed in Ireland.
The rule of thumb is that the closer you travel to summer, let's say till the end of September, the warmer weather and less frequent rainy periods you can expect.
The closer you travel to winter, now we talk especially about November, the colder and wetter conditions you should be prepared for.
The wind is getting fiercer, the precipitation is higher, and also, days are shortening.
To get the perception, in September, you can expect about 13 hours of daylight, which is perfect for traveling.
In October, we talk about 8.5 hours, and in November, you'll have to plan your Ireland itinerary accordingly, as the sun rises around 7:30 AM and sets around 5 PM.
Average temperatures range between 6°C and 13°C, which suggests you should not leave your trusty dawn jacket behind.
What should persuade you to visit Ireland in autumn?
Although every year is different and the weather can turn either way, statistically, September is quite a safe bet in terms of weather.
October and November are significantly cooler, but it is not anything a good gear could not stop.
For us, the decision maker would be colorful leaves, which means only one thing for all enthusiast photographers out there.
An endless number of perfect photo opportunities.
Winter
Winter, which is represented by the months of December, January, and February, is the least popular season when it comes to traveling in Ireland.
There are several reasons behind it, but it must be said that travelers that will be able to take advantage of all pros this season has to offer will have a blast here because of fewer crowds and lower prices.
Yes, Donegal, Galway, or Kerry are stunning even in winter.
Winter does not have the best reputation, and here you can read why.
Unpredictable weather (well, that's not surprising anymore). It can be quite rainy (there are usually more than 15 rainy days in a month), and the days are short.
If you decide to travel to Ireland in winter, you will have about 7 hours of daylight to see all you have planned for the day, which might be challenging.
On the other hand, days are not as cold as you would have probably expected - average lows are around 2°C in the most chilly month, which is something we are pretty used to here in central Europe.
However, when the cold wind brings rain from the Atlantic Ocean, the coast gets its share, and in that case, you can expect that feel-like temperature is much lower.
Still, winter days mean that you can catch wonderful sunrises and sunsets at reasonable hours and the festive season in December is captivating as well.
Overall, we would say winter might be a perfect time to visit Ireland for visitors preferring cities and indoor activities, same as for budget travelers who can go with the flow.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
The Cheapest Time to Visit Ireland
If you travel on a budget, or you simply do not want to spend more than is necessary, we have to share with you one secret.
Ireland is not the cheapest country in the world, so even basic accommodation or car rental is pretty expensive.
Luckily, there are always ways to cut down your expenses.
And one of the ways is choosing the right time of the year to travel to Ireland.
Fortunately, there are seasons of the year when prices of accommodation, rental cars, and flight tickets drop.
So it is only up to you whether you rather visit Ireland off-season and save a few bucks or go with the flow and be prepared to pay when the prices go through the roof due to high demand.
Obviously, the closer to the rainy and colder period you travel, the more prices drop. We would say that you can start saving money when traveling in October.
Without any doubt, the cheapest months to visit Ireland are November, December, January, February. March is very similar to what you can expect in October.
Of course, there are reasons why people working in tourism need to attract travelers with lower rates, and the reason is simple, the less attractive weather.
But it would be way too easy if there was not at least one exception.
Although December is the low season in Ireland for travelers, it is still a festive season, and prices are again higher during advent times and New Year's Eve, especially in the cities, where many people intentionally come to celebrate.
Price-wise, the worst time to visit Ireland is during the peak season, July and August.
On the other hand, it is sometimes worth it to pay a bit more to have a higher chance of perfect weather for traveling.
In our opinion, if you are price sensitive but still do not want to compromise that much, we would have targeted the months of May, June, and September to get the best price-weather-available activities-ratio.
Holidays
To make matters worse, not only weather and seasons are what affect travelers looking for the perfect time to visit Ireland the most.
You also should not forget to check the calendar for national holidays.
Not only that opening hours can vary during special days, but as it is in other countries, locals usually take advantage of a few free days, prices rise, and accommodation capacity is limited.
This can especially negatively surprise budget travelers and people with a very ambitious itinerary.
This is why it is very helpful before you commit to the final travel date to see whether there is a national holiday or other significant dates during your planned vacation.
On the other hand, we know that many people love to learn about the traditions and celebrate with others, especially in a foreign country.
And for example, celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Ireland must be an incredible experience.
To be honest, we rather avoid very exposed days if possible.
Therefore, we were able to enjoy a road trip around Dingle Peninsula or Dunmore Head without crowds, which would for sure not be possible during May or June Bank Holiday.
And what are the dates you should keep in mind when creating your Ireland itinerary?
It is New Year's Day on January 1st and St. Patrick's Day, which falls on March 17th, and then you should always check when Easter is as the date is movable.
Usually, this holiday is between the end of March and mid-April.
What we see equally important is the information that student holidays take place on Monday before Good Friday and end on Friday after Easter Monday (they last ten working days).
Therefore, it is a very busy time in Ireland, which also, for many, starts the best travel season as temperatures are getting higher and days longer.
Then, there are four Bank Holidays, each celebrated on the first Monday of the month, in May, June, August, and then October.
And then, there is the festive season, with the peak on December 25, which is Christmas Day, followed by St. Stephen's Day on December 26.
As Ireland has so much to offer, we feel it is very easy to avoid celebrations and not be affected by different closing times, the only thing you need to do is to plan your day properly and spend it, for example, in nature.
On the other hand, if you like to socialize or simply observe the mood and customs, feel free to spend a holiday day in the city, for example, in Dublin, Cork, or Limerick.
How to Avoid Crowds
Every traveler knows that enjoying epic views of nature without being surrounded by people is the feeling only a few things can beat.
For us, choosing the best time to visit Ireland was also about balancing the number of people we would have to share the top attractions with.
The rule of thumb is that if you want to travel in the summer, when you can have high hopes for more stable weather, you cannot expect to have top sights such as the Cliffs of Moher, Rock of Cashel, or Killarney National Park, just for yourself.
That would be a very wrong assumption that could ruin your holiday. We always say that the most important thing is to set your expectations right.
Yes, you will most likely have to share the road with international visitors and locals alike, and this is especially the cafe of summer months - June, July, and August.
If you prefer to avoid crowds and have a feeling that paying for super expensive accommodation could ruin your experience, it is much better to plan your trip for late September and October or for the spring months, mid-April and May.
If you love being on the road just by yourself and enjoy observing fog rolling over green hills, the feeling of loneliness will be delivered from November to March. Just bring warm clothes and extra layers.
Still, there are a few tips on how you can avoid crowds even in the busy season.
One of our trusted ones is to get up early. In the summer, days are long, and you can start your day by getting up around 5 AM or 6 AM, so you can hit the road before others even wake up.
We used this little trick during our last Ireland trip in May, and it was really worth it.
Simply put, most people prefer sleeping in, and we had some of the most beautiful places by the coast just to ourselves.
You just need to have on your itinerary places without opening hours.
Luckily, Slea Head Drive, Mizen Head, or Wild Nephin National Park can be explored anytime.
One of the strongest memories was driving through the notoriously busy Gap of Dunloe without meeting a single soul.
Another great way to avoid crowds is to visit less traveled places such as Sheep's Head Peninsula, Clifden Castle, or Corcomroe Abbey.
Best Time for Road Tripping Ireland
Exploring Ireland by car proved to be the best way how to see a lot in a relatively short time.
If you have extra time, we highly recommend driving the Wild Atlantic Way, one of the most incredible scenic drives in Ireland.
The good news is that despite the fact Ireland does not have the best reputation in terms of weather, winters are quite mild.
Therefore, there is almost all the time the opportunity to prepare yourself for an unforgettable road trip.
In our opinion, the best time for road tripping Ireland is between late April till the end of October.
As the biggest advantage, we see the long periods of daylight for sightseeing. It is also much safer to drive around the country when you can see what's around you.
Driving in Ireland is quite safe, but narrow roads and blind turns can make it challenging.
Road-tripping Ireland in winter might be an interesting idea, as places such as Skellig Ring, Conor Pass, or Killary Harbour are open all year round.
Just make sure you drive slowly, as roads can get icy close to the ocean or after the rain.
Activities
Last but not least, you should always choose the time you want to visit Ireland according to your favorite activities.
If you like exploring cities and enjoying all its perks such as museums, galleries, shopping, or tasting cuisine, there's actually no bad season for visiting Ireland.
Dublin is worth exploring any time of the year, and the same goes for Limerick and other Ireland cities.
The same goes for the famous Ireland's castles that are scattered around the country.
In this case, you can travel to Ireland basically anytime you want.
We've already established that a road trip is also an option year-round, so you will have a chance to visit as many castles as you want.
If you prefer spending most of the time outside, either hiking, biking, or simply exploring the best attractions on foot, you should aim for the top season between May and September.
Ireland is not the most famous beach destination. However, there's a short window between July and August when you can enjoy water activities such as surfing, swimming, or kayaking.
We've already mentioned a few beaches above. Inch Beach and Minard Beach are among our other favorite places.
Ireland is surrounded by many islands. One of the most famous ones is Skellig Michael.
If you want to take the boat trip there, it is good to know that because of the weather, these tours usually commence at the end of May and run until September.
Outside these months, it is almost impossible to visit this specific island.
Luckily, Valentia Island is connected to the island by a road bridge, and you can drive there any time of the year.
Ireland, of course, offers many more activities, such as birdwatching, caving, fishing, etc., so it is something you need to take into account when planning the best Ireland holiday.
As the Atlantic surrounds the island, Ireland is a great place for bird watching.
Be sure to visit Old Head of Kinsale, Downpatrick Head, or Malin Head if you love bird-watching.
What to Pack
Packing for Ireland trip can be very tricky, and to be honest, if we were you, we would have forgotten everything we learned about the seasons in the country, and we would have been prepared for the worst.
Only if you pack and dress right can you fully appreciate Ireland's beauty, even if it rains and hails.
We road tripped Ireland in the first half of the month of May.
And even though we spent a considerable amount of time in the car, there were so many interesting stops on our itinerary that forced us to go out that we really had to be prepared as for any other outdoor trip basically.
We will soon write a full guide on what to pack for Ireland that will be more comprehensive.
As we feel this topic is closely connected with the best time to visit Ireland, we will at least scratch the surface here, so you know roughly what you should not leave behind.
The most important item we brought with us to Ireland was the rain jacket. Another essential piece of equipment was a waterproof dry bag.
As we took many shorter and longer trips and did not just sit in the car, it was necessary to keep our valuables safe and dry.
Not only extra clothing layers but also passports, credit cards, and a camera as we did not want to leave them in the car.
When going on a road trip, you should never leave your home without sunglasses.
Then, we are convinced that the key to the success of every trip is layers.
Do not forget a functional T-shirt with long sleeves, same as with short sleeves, when the weather gets warmer.
I wore leggings almost all the time, Martin his trusty hiking pants. As an extra layer, we do have rain pants that are easy to use when needed.
Also, make sure you pack a rain poncho. An umbrella is not a good idea because of the strong winds.
A down jacket when traveling in the off-season is a must.
We also found a useful bandana and hiking boots with sturdy soles for outdoor activities.
Martin also once took out his shorts, and if you are braver than us, bring along also swimwear if traveling in the summer.
For cities, you should pack regular jeans and comfortable clothes.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
